# Components:
→ Hot Chocolate Base
01 - 2 cups whole milk
02 - 1 cup heavy cream
03 - 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
04 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
05 - 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
06 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
07 - Pinch of salt
→ Apple Cider Infusion
08 - 2 cups fresh apple cider
09 - 1 cinnamon stick
10 - 2 whole cloves
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
→ Garnishes
12 - 1 cup whipped cream
13 - Ground cinnamon, for dusting
14 - Chocolate shavings (optional)
15 - Thin apple slices (optional)
# Directions:
01 - In a small saucepan, combine apple cider, cinnamon stick, cloves, and nutmeg. Gently heat over medium-low heat until steaming but not boiling, approximately 5 minutes. Remove from heat, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the spices.
02 - In a separate medium saucepan, combine whole milk, heavy cream, semisweet chocolate chips, unsweetened cocoa powder, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Heat gently over medium heat, whisking constantly until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth and heated through. Avoid boiling.
03 - Pour 1/2 cup of the infused apple cider into each serving mug. Carefully add the prepared hot chocolate mixture to each mug, filling them nearly to the brim.
04 - Gently stir the cider and hot chocolate together. Top each mug with a generous dollop of whipped cream, a dusting of ground cinnamon, and optional chocolate shavings or thin apple slices.
05 - Serve immediately and savor.
