Orange Hot Chocolate

2021 Let’s Get Blitzen: Cocktail Advent Calendar – Day 11 – Orange Hot Chocolate. This was technically supposed to be a #SoberSunday post and be scheduled for tomorrow, Sunday, December 12th but apparently when I was drafting the eBook for this calendar my sleep-deprived brain couldn’t process dates on a calendar, so here we have a #SoberSunday zero-proof cocktail recipe on a Saturday. And you can expect the same thing next Saturday – hopefully you won’t hold this against me.

I developed this Orange Hot Chocolate recipe, made with Lyre’s American Malt Style bourbon-flavoured non-alcoholic spirit, to channel the nostalgia of finding a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in your holiday stocking and smashing it on Christmas morning.

This post is sponsored by Lyre’s.

Lyre’s is a relatively new entrant to the Canadian market of non-alcoholic spirits and a very welcome newcomer. Lyre’s boasts a wider range of non-alcoholic spirits than most zero-proof producers I’ve come across. Their selection of exquisite non-alcoholic spirits includes: amaretto style, gin, bourbon, vermouth, rum, absinthe, triple sec, Aperol style, with more new flavours on the horizon.

Many years in the making, Lyre’s selection of lovingly crafted non-alcoholic spirits was borne from a quest to make the impossible possible – giving consumers the freedom to drink your drink, your way. Not just provide an alternative to those who don’t wish to imbibe alcohol, but ensure everyone can enjoy the mirth and merriment of a soiree or shindig.

Their American Malt Style non-alcoholic spirit I’ve used in this Orange Hot Chocolate has the most authentic bourbon flavour of any zero-proof whiskey I’ve come across. Its genuinely delicious and a great way to serve brown liquor lovers a low- or no-ABV cocktail.

This unique spirit has been impossibly crafted to capture the essence of a gently mellowed American Classic Bourbon Malt with flavours that are distinct and contemporary. Lyre’s spirits don’t just mimic, they have their own distinction as a premium, non-alcoholic beverage. On the palate you’ll discover generous flavours of vanilla and toasted nuts with herbal notes providing a complexity, offset by a long mellow finish. The gently spiced palate results in the flavours remaining well after finishing.

Combined with top-quality dark chocolate hot cocoa made with milk steeped in orange peels and a splash of lime-clementine cordial, this placebo cocktail tastes like a Terry’s Chocolate Orange in a glass. The dark chocolate brings a subtle bitterness, the orange peels bring a fresh citrus acidity, the lime-clementine cordial imparts a bright and spicy note, and the Lyre’s American Malt Style non-alcoholic spirit lends structure and shape to this winter warmer.

I think the art of entertaining demands that all guests be treated with the same calibre of hospitality – make sure non-alcoholic options don’t feel like an afterthought and serve up a craft mocktail like this one to dazzle guests who aren’t imbibing. Stock your bar with top-notch non-alcoholic spirits from Lyre’s so you’re ready for holiday entertaining and they’ll serve you well throughout Dry January too.

Be sure to join me on my Instagram Stories tonight at 5 pm Eastern as I offer a step-by-step walkthrough on how to make this tasty tipple.

Orange Hot Chocolate

5 from 1 vote

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Orange Hot Chocolate

Prep Time

5 mins

Total Time

5 mins

 

Bring back the childhood wonder of smashing a chocolate orange plucked from your stocking with this warming zero-proof cocktail made with Lyre’s American Malt non-alcoholic spirit.

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keyword: hot chocolate, lyre’s, Mocktail, Non-Alcoholic, orange hot chocolate

Servings: 1 drinks

Author: Yvonne Langen

Ingredients

• 2 oz Lyre’s American Malt
• 4 oz hot chocolate preferably dark chocolate
• ½ oz lime clementine cordial
• Garnish: orange twist
• Garnish: marshmallow

Lime-Clementine Cordial

• 8 limes peeled and juiced (approx. 4 oz lime juice)
• 4 clementines peeled and juiced (approx. 4 oz clementine juice)
• 2- inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and chopped
• 6 cracked cardamom pods
• 1-2 Thai chilies diced
• 1½ cups sugar

Instructions

1. Add Lyre’s American Malt and lime clementine cordial to a heatproof mug.
2. Top with prepared hot chocolate.
3. Garnish with marshmallow and orange twist. Serve hot.

Lime-Clementine Cordial

1. Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan (including all citrus peels) over medium heat. Bring to a simmer, stirring to make sure the ingredients blend together.
2. Reduce heat to medium low and let simmer for about 20 minutes until syrup is slightly thickened.
3. Cool to room temperature and strain off solids.
4. Carefully strain the whole ingredients out of the syrup. Once cool enough to handle, store the lime clementine cordial in a swing top bottle or mason jar and keep in the fridge. Syrup will keep for at least 3 weeks.