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    Home » Drinks

    Peruvian Hot Chocolate

    Published: Dec 23, 2022 · Modified: Feb 25, 2023 by Natalie · This post may contain affiliate links · 8 Comments

    JUMP TO RECIPE PRINT RECIPE PIN RECIPE

    Every year before Christmas, I repost my Peruvian hot chocolate. It has hints of cinnamon and cloves and it’s always served with a slice of Panettone. There’s a funny story you might also enjoy in the post along with this recipe. My husband is the subject of this story which describes how we shared our first Christmas together and how he was introduced to my Peruvian side of the family. Take a minute and read it if you want a good laugh. This is our first Christmas without him, but he is always in our hearts. Bill was truly a great man and I was honored to share 35 years with him. I will always remember and adore him. I hope he’s sharing this Christmas with his dad, my dad, and his friends - all of whom we lost in just a few years. We will always love you Billy.

    My Peruvian Hot Chocolate is rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon and cloves. Traditionally served with a slice of Panettone. Funny story included!

    A cup of Peruvian hot chocolate with a slice of panettone.Peruvian Hot Chocolate is the one thing at Christmas that we have never gone without. This is a big deal in my family. First, we prepare a huge, delicious feast with various dishes. We spend the day cooking followed by a nap because Peruvian tradition is celebrating at midnight. Around 6 o'clock, the table is set, appetizers are prepared, and then we welcome all family and friends to share the celebration with us.

    After the meal, my Mom and my Tía Renee start to make Peruvian hot chocolate. It’s the same routine every single year. The preparation brings back wonderful memories of the only Christmas we celebrated in Peru with my grandmother, Mama Maria, and my great-grandmother, Mama Manuela.

    During the preparation of the Peruvian Hot Chocolate, the same routine plays out every year…

    In Spanish...

    Mom: "Renee, taste this. What does it need? More milk? More sugar?"

    Tía Renee: "More sugar."

    Mom: "I think it needs more milk, not sugar."

    Tía Renee: "Well if you aren't going to listen to me then why do you ask me?

    Mom: "You like everything too sweet."

    Tía Renee: "Nooooo, you just don't know how it is supposed to be."

    Mom: "Natalie! Come here and tell me what this needs. Tía Renee says more sugar but she always says that because she likes everything too sweet."

    After it’s perfected, the pot is brought to the table along with sliced Panettone. Everyone serves themselves a ladle of hot chocolate and grabs a piece of that delicious Italian sweet bread. I always wondered why my Mom and aunt Renee didn't write the recipe down so it would come out the same without any argument.

    Whenever someone new came to my Mom's annual Christmas Eve open house, they would try the hot chocolate and say "Wow! This is so delicious!" Then both my Mom and Tía Renee would smile taking credit. I love how the family is so competitive with cooking.

    Dry mix to make hot chocolate.I was craving hot chocolate one night but I didn't have any of the special Peruvian chocolate that Tía Renee brings from Peru. Peruvian chocolate has hints of cloves and cinnamon so I grabbed my cocoa powder and spices and successfully created the flavor of Peruvian chocolate. Necessity is the mother of invention. Now I can have Peruvian hot chocolate whenever I want and you can too.

    A cup of Peruvian hot chocolate with a slice of panettone.Wanna laugh?

    When my husband Bill and I were first going out, we spent our first Christmas Eve together as a couple at my Mom's open house. My whole family was there. The men in my family are a bunch of jokers and can be quite intimidating. Don't get me wrong, they're nice and all, but if you're new coming into the family, you will have to go through an initiation of sorts. I knew they were thinking of something to say to this blond, Scottish, French Canadian, and other bloodlines I keep forgetting

    Bill made it too easy for them...

    Picture this: a table FULL of delicious food. There were mashed potatoes, roast beef, gravy, saltado, rice, and other delicious dishes. Bill, who my uncles called Bob just to bother him, filled up his plate like he hadn't eaten in a week. I was a little embarrassed at his glutenous nature. This particular Christmas Eve, my Mom decided to put the hot chocolate out along with the food instead of afterward.

    Everyone watched as Bill filled up his plate. He was oohing and ahhing at the food. Then he grabbed the ladle in the big bowl of the Peruvian hot chocolate and carefully poured it all over his food - obviously thinking it was gravy. I almost DIED. Everyone got quiet and watched him. No one said a thing and It was too late anyway. He sat down and smiled at everyone and took a big bite. You could see the expression on his face turn from a smile to confusion as if he was thinking, "What the heck is this?"

    Tío Joe: "Hey Bob, how's that gravy?"

    Bill: "It's Bill. Ummm good."

    Tío Victor: "Hey Bob, you like?"

    Bill: "Yes, very good."

    Me, thinking..."What a dope."

    My sweet grandmother, Mama Maria: "¿Que está haciendo este tonto?  ¿No se da cuenta que hechó chocolate caliente en su comida?"

    Translation: "What is this fool doing? Doesn't he realize he poured hot chocolate on top of his food?"

    My Dad - the English, Irish, Scottish, Frenchman - just stood there shaking his head because he felt bad for poor Bob - I mean Bill.

    My gosh! I am dying laughing as I write this. My Tío Joe still calls him Bob!

    To this day, 30 years later, every Christmas Eve when we’re at Mom's open house and Bill fills his plate with food, everyone still asks if he wants to pour hot chocolate over his food. Silly Bob.

    Try this hot chocolate and think of this story. I hope they both put a smile on your face!

    Peruvian hot chocolate is traditionally served without a topping needing nothing except a slice of Panettone.

    Try my homemade Italian Cream Liqueur - another perfect holiday treat.

    ¡Al Ataque! Merry Christmas...Feliz Navidad...Buon Natale!

    Life is too short for mediocre food.

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    A cup of Peruvian hot chocolate.

    Peruvian Hot Chocolate

    PRINT PIN
    Peruvian hot chocolate is rich and creamy with hints of cinnamon and cloves. Traditionally served with a slice of Panettone. Enjoy!
    Course: Drinks
    Cuisine: Peruvian
    Keyword: Hot Chocolate, Peruvian Hot Chocolate
    Cook Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Author: Natalie Gregory

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • ½ - ⅔ cup sugar - or to taste
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon ground cloves
    • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon or 2” stick
    • 3 cups water
    • 2 (12 ounce) cans evaporated milk
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    Instructions

    • Whisk dry ingredients together in a medium saucepan then slowly whisk in water.
    • Place saucepan over medium high heat and continue to whisk until cocoa and sugar are dissolved.
    • Bring to a soft boil.
    • Slowly whisk in milk and reheat gently.
    • Serve hot with a slice of Panettone.
    • ¡Al Ataque!
    Did you make this recipe? Tag @thegeneticchef and use #thegeneticchef and tell me all about it!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Natalie

      August 16, 2016 at 8:50 pm

      So happy you enjoyed the funny story and the hot chocolate! My whole family got a kick out it. Enjoy!

      Reply
    2. Kitty Florida

      February 14, 2016 at 5:12 pm

      Thanks for the recipe. I just followed a couple of hours ago and my chocolatada turned out so delicious. The best for cold days.

      Reply
      • Natalie

        February 15, 2016 at 11:44 am

        I'm so happy you liked it! It's my favorite for cold days. Enjoy!

        Reply
    3. Nilda

      December 04, 2014 at 6:23 pm

      Wow! I loved reading and reliving that unforgettable moment! Poor Bill- now it's in print forever!

      Reply
    4. Nilda

      December 04, 2014 at 6:11 pm

      You shared the secret recipe?!..but I understand...it's just so good!

      Reply
    5. Berto175

      December 04, 2014 at 2:00 pm

      Omg hahahaha yes! The best hot cocoa recipe ever along with the best dinner story ever. Smooth move Bill 😀

      Reply

    Leave a Comment Cancel reply

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    Natalie

    I'm Natalie a.k.a The Genetic Chef. Here you will find from scratch family recipes coupled with humor, helpful tips, and product recommendations.

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