A warm cup in hand, fragrant with cocoa, is an image synonymous with ultimate comfort. Whether thick and creamy or as a chocolatey drink with plenty of milk that’s consumed in one go, hot chocolate is always one of the pleasures of winter. It’s simply a classic and beloved beverage.

Regardless of the way we choose to make it, to enjoy it rich and creamy, we don’t necessarily have to spend time waiting patiently for the chocolate to melt in the small pot. We can simply add a few shavings from our favorite chocolate bar, whether we make it the traditional way (melting chocolate) or use a powdered version from the store.

Grated chocolate in our cup
For this purpose, only one small tool that everyone has in their kitchen can make the difference. Find your smallest grater (preferably the one used for grating citrus peel), grab your favorite chocolate bar, and watch how a simple move can transform our beloved drink. By adding chocolate shavings, we elevate the flavor and make it creamier in an easy, quick, and very effective way. We can add the grated chocolate to the mixture in two ways:

1. Following the classic recipe, we add cocoa powder, sugar, and milk to the pot — and optionally a bit of vanilla for extra fragrance — then add the grated chocolate and let all the ingredients come to a boil. This way, the body of the drink will be thicker and, undoubtedly, the flavor and aroma will be more chocolatey.
2. Alternatively, after preparing the drink in the classic way, add the chocolate shavings after serving.

Useful tip
Make sure to place the chocolate bar in the freezer for about 15 minutes before using it. This step is essentially a trick that makes it easier for us to grate the chocolate without it melting in our hands.