📖 Instructions

1. First things first, gather all your ingredients! Before you even think about turning on the stove, make sure you have everything laid out and ready to go. There’s nothing worse than being halfway through a recipe and realizing you’re missing something crucial, is there? Grab your milk, cocoa powder, sugar, a fresh orange, vanilla extract, and that tiny pinch of salt. Having everything within arm's reach makes the process much smoother and more enjoyable.
2. Now, let's get zesty! Take your perfectly ripe orange and a fine grater or microplane. Gently zest about 1 teaspoon of the orange peel, being careful to only get the bright orange part and avoid the bitter white pith underneath. The zest is where all those wonderful aromatic oils are hiding, and that's what's going to give our hot chocolate its glorious citrus lift. A little goes a long way here, so don't feel the need to go overboard.
3. Next, pour 2 cups of your chosen milk into a medium-sized saucepan. Whole milk offers the creamiest, most decadent hot chocolate, but feel free to use 2% or even a plant-based milk like oat or almond if that's what you prefer! Add the orange zest you just prepared directly into the cold milk. Place the saucepan over medium heat. We're not looking to boil the milk, just gently heat it until it's steamy and small bubbles start to form around the edges. This slow heating allows the orange zest to really infuse its flavor into the milk.
4. Once the milk is warm and fragrant, carefully remove the orange zest from the saucepan. You can do this by straining the milk through a fine-mesh sieve into another clean saucepan or bowl, or simply use a spoon to scoop out the larger pieces of zest. We want the flavor, not necessarily to chew on the zest itself in our drink!
5. Return the infused milk to the saucepan (if you strained it) and reduce the heat to low. Now, add 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar (remember, you can adjust this later!), a tiny pinch of salt, and 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract. The salt, surprisingly, helps to enhance the chocolate flavor and balance the sweetness, so don't skip it!
6. With a whisk, vigorously stir the mixture. This is an important step to ensure there are no lumpy bits of cocoa powder left behind. Keep whisking until the cocoa powder and sugar are completely dissolved, and the hot chocolate is smooth, glossy, and beautifully combined. It should be a rich, uniform color and invitingly frothy on top.
7. Continue to cook on low heat for another 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together even further and ensures the hot chocolate is heated through to your desired temperature. Taste a tiny bit – carefully, it's hot! – and adjust the sugar if you feel it needs a bit more sweetness.
8. Finally, pour your exquisite orange-infused hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. For an extra special touch, you can grate a tiny bit more fresh orange zest directly over the top of each mug. A small curl of orange peel or a sprinkle of finely chopped dark chocolate also makes a lovely garnish. Serve immediately and savor every warm, zesty sip. This is truly a drink for moments of pure comfort.
9. If you want to get really fancy, try adding a dollop of freshly whipped cream to the top of your hot chocolate, then drizzle with a touch of orange-flavored syrup or another tiny sprinkle of zest. It's like a cloud of citrusy goodness on your drink, elevating it from delicious to absolutely divine. This simple addition can turn a cozy treat into a truly luxurious experience.