There’s nothing more comforting than a thick and rich hot chocolate on a cold Parisian morning. There’s no drink more famous in France than chocolat chaud, aka French hot chocolate. This thick hot chocolate is so rich and almost pudding-like. I first had it at Carette in Paris and immediately fell in love.

While I can’t fly to Paris to have it, it’s super easy to make at home! Save your money and bring Paris to your kitchen.

Here’s how to make French hot chocolate at home!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It tastes almost exactly like the one in Paris, without the expensive flight price!
• This French style hot chocolate is soooo thick and rich, it’s insanely decadent.
• Make this when you want a fancy chocolate drink or want to treat yourself.
• Super easy recipe for French hot chocolate that you can make with pantry items.
• Travel with your taste buds!

What is French Hot Chocolate?

Chocolat chaud (hot chocolate in French) is a rich, thick, drinking chocolate that originated with the French royalty! Spanish conquistadors introduced hot chocolate to France in 1615 for the wedding of Spanish Princess Anne and Louis XIII. The elite mainly enjoyed the hot drink, and the French adapted it with sugar, vanilla, and other flavors.

The original recipe calls for equal parts chocolate bars and water, with egg yolk to thicken! Nowadays, French hot chocolate is made with practically equal amounts of whole milk and chocolate, with sugar to taste.

It’s incredibly thick, rich, and luscious; it really makes you feel like you’re living in luxury! And that royal tinge hasn’t gone away, as chocolat chaud is more of a luxurious treat than an everyday beverage. You’ll find this thick hot chocolate in cafes and tea rooms across France, most famously in Paris.

Famous French Hot Chocolate

The most famous Parisian hot chocolate can be found across a couple of different cafes and tea rooms. My personal favorite is Carette, a tea room opened in 1927 by Jacob Carette, famous for its hot chocolate. I love that it’s not too sweet and comes with the same amount of chantilly as hot chocolate!

Another famous establishment is Angelina, another tearoom opened in 1903 by Austrian confectioner Anton Rumpelmaye, who named it after his daughter-in-law. Their chocolat chaud is famous for using three different varieties of African cocoa, which are bitter and fruity!

The last (but not least) famous hot chocolate shop is Les Deux Magots, a historical literary cafe opened in 1883. It’s not only famous for its Valhrona hot chocolate, but also for its classic Parisian cafe bistro seating and ambiance.

Of course, many smaller cafes serve just as great chocolat chaud, but these are the most famous in Paris.

What Makes French Hot Chocolate Different?

Compared to American hot chocolate, French hot chocolate is much thicker and less sweet. The first flavor you get from American hot cocoa is sugar… especially if you make it from a hot cocoa mix. French hot chocolate uses dark chocolate and very little added sugar so that the cocoa flavor comes through.

French style hot chocolate is also normally made with milk, while American hot chocolate can be made with water or milk. Although if you make it from scratch, most people use milk.

Another difference is that French hot chocolate is made with strictly chocolate bars for richness. American hot chocolate is made with cocoa powder, which is lighter and smoother, perfect for drinking casually. I would reserve French hot chocolate for dessert or special occasions. You’re basically drinking a whole chocolate bar!

What Does French Hot Chocolate Taste Like?

French hot chocolate straight up tastes like a melted semisweet chocolate bar. Even though there’s milk, the texture of the chocolate drink is so rich that it “absorbs” the liquid. Luckily, most places use a bittersweet chocolate to make it so that it’s not as sweet.

While it’s delicious by itself, I love chocolat chaud with some chantilly cream mixed into each sip. Freshly whipped cream adds a nice lightness and contrast to the rich chocolate. I can’t drink it without it!

The chocolate is usually bitter, slightly fruity, and creamy. Sometimes you’ll get a hint of vanilla, too!

What Chocolate to Use

The best chocolate for French hot chocolate is dark chocolate, at least 70%. You’ll want chocolate with lots of cocoa in it to provide a rich flavor without being overly sweet.

You’ll also want a good-quality chocolate bar, made with real cocoa powder, cocoa butter, and sugar. Mass-produced chocolate often has stabilizers or vegetable oil instead of cocoa butter, which affects its melting capability. The latter also just doesn’t taste as good.

I like to use Ghirardelli or Lindt since it’s readily available and economical! I love using Valrhona as well, but it’s a little pricier. You can also use a local chocolate brand!

Avoid using chocolate chips, as they won’t melt evenly.

French Hot Chocolate: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• A small or medium-sized pot
• A handheld frother or electric whisk

Ingredients:

• Hot Chocolate
• 6-8 oz dark chocolate
• 1½ cups whole milk
• 1 tsp sugar
• Whipped Cream
• ¼ tsp vanilla extract or paste
• ¾ cup heavy cream
• ½ tsp sugar

French Hot Chocolate Recipe

1. Make Hot Chocolate. Add milk, chocolate, and sugar to a small pot, then heat on medium heat for 5 – 7 minutes. Once the milk is hot but not simmering, stir constantly so the chocolate melts evenly. The mixture will thicken considerably around the 5-minute mark, but you can adjust the consistency to your taste by cooking less or more.
2. Make Whipped Cream. Add heavy cream, vanilla, and sugar to a small cup or bowl. Then use a handheld frother or electric mixer to whip the cream until stiff peaks.
3. Assemble Drink. Pour or ladle the hot chocolate into a mug, then top with your whipped cream. You can garnish with a dusting of cocoa powder or chocolate shavings.
4. Mix and Enjoy!

How to Serve French Hot Chocolate

French hot chocolate isn’t French hot chocolate without the chantilly cream! All the iconic tea houses serve their chocolat chaud with a pot of chantilly cream. The cream lightens the hot chocolate, which might be too heavy on its own.

I make freshly whipped cream in this recipe that you can make as sweet as you want. You can also serve it on the side or dollop it on top.

Chantilly cream vs whipped cream. Chantilly cream is whipped cream made with powdered sugar and whipped to soft peaks. Because it uses powdered sugar, it’s normally sweeter than regular whipped cream.

You can make either for this recipe.

Tips for the Best Hot Chocolate

• Use Dark Chocolate: Dark chocolate more than 70% cocoa powder tastes best! It adds the best cocoa flavor and is lightly sweetened, perfect for a balanced cup of hot chocolate.
• Sweeten Sparingly: Dark chocolate still has sugar in it, so don’t add too much sugar without tasting the end result first. If you use semi-sweet chocolate, use less sugar, and so on. You can always add sugar, but can’t take it away!
• Cook Longer: If your hot chocolate is looking runny, cook it for longer. Bring your chocolate up to a simmer (not boil) and cook it until it starts thickening. It’s like magic.
• Add Different Spices and Sugar: To spruce up this drink, you can add your favorite spices and sweeteners! I’ve seen people add nutmeg and cinnamon, as well as brown sugar instead of regular sugar.
• Chop Chocolate: If you’re using chocolate bars, chop your chocolate into smaller pieces so it’s easier to melt. It doesn’t have to be super small, but enough that it melts evenly and quickly.

Frequently Asked Questions

French hot chocolate vs Italian hot chocolate?

The two are similar thick hot chocolates, but Italian hot chocolate is much thicker due to a thickening agent like cornstarch. You usually eat Italian hot chocolate with a spoon, while French hot chocolate is thick but drinkable.

Why is French hot chocolate so thick?

French hot chocolate is thick from the high amount of cocoa butter in the drink. It also has a higher ratio of chocolate to milk compared to other types of hot chocolate. It’s basically a liquid ganache you drink!

Does French hot chocolate have cream?

Contrary to popular belief, traditional chocolat chaud is not made with cream. The thick consistency is from a high amount of cocoa butter, which is melted into milk by cooking it on the stove. Don’t be tempted to add cream until you cook it for the right amount of time!

Other Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try

What’s better than drinking liquid chocolate? I’m sure you’re a chocolate lover, and as a fellow one myself, here are some other hot chocolate recipes to try next:

• Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
• Mexican Hot Chocolate
• Chai Hot Chocolate
• Thai Tea Hot Chocolate
• Whipped Hot Chocolate