For A Hint Of Citrus, Add One Popular Liqueur To Your Hot Chocolate

The bright zing of oranges is a delicious pairing with chocolate. The sweet acidity of the citrus balances both the sweet and bitter notes of the chocolate creating a completely new flavor combination. You often see the pairing in luscious chocolate-orange desserts, including cheesecake, cookies, and cakes like a chocolate orange crepe cake. But when you prefer something quaffable, consider hot chocolate with one of the best-known orange liqueurs: Cointreau.

You often see Cointreau used in cocktails like the margarita, the cosmo, and even a variation on the lemon drop.  While there are more generic orange liqueurs out there, Cointreau is a proprietary triple sec-style and, as such, is of much higher quality with a higher price point to boot. Triple sec starts with a neutral base spirit, which means that the spirit adds no extra flavor. Instead, it acts as a delivery system for whatever is added to it. To that, you add a flavor — in this case oranges — and a sweetener. The combination of a neutral base and the use of dried bitter and sweet orange peels give Cointreau a clean, bright, sweet flavor. 

When combined with hot chocolate, this liqueur brings the boozy orange to the fore and balances the sweetness of the hot chocolate with its alcoholic kick. By adding a dusting of orange zest and a sprinkling of bittersweet chocolate over whipped cream on top, you'll have a decadent, dessert-like treat.

If you're looking for other variations, there is a world of liqueurs and spirits that complement chocolate. One of the places you can find inspiration is in liqueur-accented coffee drinks, which are often flavored with liqueurs like whiskey cream, coffee, chocolate, or nut. All of the latter will add a deeper, richer character to your hot chocolate. An added bonus is that they are often cream-based, thus adding an indulgent, dessert-like quality. 

Another place to find ideas is in the flavor pairings in chocolate candies. Raspberry, mint, coconut, and vanilla are just a few. You could even grab a bottle of peanut butter whiskey and make a drinkable peanut butter cup. And, beyond Cointreau, other orange liqueurs add slightly different variations. Another proprietary one is the cognac-based Grand Marnier, whose richer profile, creamier texture, and more bitter flavor adds complexity to a hot chocolate that has a more semisweet or bittersweet base. 

If you prefer to keep the chocolate flavor of your drink at the forefront, consider using your straight spirit of choice. Whiskey, brandy, and rum are natural pairings. Even though brown spirits have no added sugar, they tend to possess notes of caramel, chocolate, nuts, and spices, which stand up to chocolate's potent flavor. The joy of hot chocolate is that it is infinitely customizable. Choose your favorite combination and savor the layers of flavor.