French-Style Drinking Chocolate

Jul 14, 2026 · By VanillaGoods

Drinks Drinks beverages Vanilla: Extract Easy

A steaming mug of french-style drinking chocolate on a saucer, rich and glossy, with its toppings

This rich French-style drinking chocolate features a smooth blend of dark chocolate, whole milk, and real vanilla for an indulgent and velvety beverage. Perfect for two servings and ready in 10 minutes.

Prep 5 min

Cook 5 min

Total 10 min

Servings 2

Diet —

Ingredients

Adjust yield

servings

2.0 cups (480.0 ml)whole milk
4.0 oz (114.0 g)dark chocolate, finely chopped
2.0 tbsp (25.0 g)granulated sugar
1.0 tsp (5.0 ml)pure vanilla extract
pinch of fine sea salt

Make it at home

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Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine the whole milk, granulated sugar, and a pinch of fine sea salt over medium-low heat.
Warm the milk mixture until it is hot but not boiling, about 3 to 4 minutes, stirring occasionally to dissolve sugar.
Add the finely chopped dark chocolate and stir continuously until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth and glossy.
Remove from heat and stir in the pure vanilla extract for a pronounced vanilla flavor.
Divide the drinking chocolate between two heatproof mugs and serve immediately, enjoying the rich and velvety texture that defines French-style drinking chocolate.

Tips

Use good quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for the best flavor and smooth texture.
For enhanced vanilla flavor, substitute 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped, and cook it with the milk, removing the pod before adding chocolate.

Recipe FAQ

How long does it take to make french-style drinking chocolate?

Plan on 5 minutes of prep and 5 minutes of cooking. The recipe makes 2 servings.

How should I store french-style drinking chocolate?

Store any leftover drinking chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring well to restore creaminess.

Can I make french-style drinking chocolate ahead?

Prepare the drinking chocolate base ahead, store refrigerated, and gently reheat before serving.

Can I use a different form of vanilla?

Yes. This recipe uses 1 tsp pure vanilla extract (5 ml). Each teaspoon of pure vanilla extract can be swapped for 1 teaspoon of vanilla bean paste, the seeds of half a vanilla bean, or 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla powder. Paste and seeds add the classic dark specks.

Estimated · per serving

Nutrition

Per serving = 1 of 2 servings this recipe makes.

229 Calories / serving

8.2g Fat

30.7g Carbs

7.9g Protein

31.4g Sugar

Whole recipe (2 servings): ~458 cal · 16g fat · 61g carbs · 16g protein · 63g sugar

Estimated values per serving, calculated from standard ingredient data. Not verified Nutrition Facts; actual values vary with brands, measurements, and preparation.

Per serving · 229 calories

What it takes to burn one serving

Brisk walking 43 min·2.5 mi·~5050 steps
Walking uphill or incline treadmill 31 min·1.6 mi·~3100 steps
Moderate cycling 23 min·4.6 mi
Swimming laps 32 min
Jogging 22 min·1.8 mi·~3500 steps
Stair climbing 21 min·~1900 steps
Dancing 37 min
Bodyweight circuit training 23 min
Cleaning, errands, or playing with the dog 53 min

Rough estimates for one serving, based on standard MET values at about 155 lb. Your own burn depends on body size, effort, and fitness. Shown for context only — food is not something you have to earn.

Made with VanillaGoods

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