Halloween Hot Spicy Chocolate

This is a warming little recipe to serve up to your kids and kidults alike on Halloween evening after you’ve been out on a hard night’s trick-or-treating. Although I know all our cheapeats readers are extremely on the ball, I am nevertheless obliged to point out the following: Kid version – less spice, no alcohol. Kidult version – spicy as you like, a generous nip of booze. There are many variations on the old Hot Choc theme, but a chocolate insider has told me Green and Blacks Maya Gold or Montezuma Chilli Chocolate (if using this, drop the chilli) are the best. To make to cups of this delicious, cocooning and comforting delight use:

• 100g finely grated bittersweet chocolate. Choose your favourite.
• 2 cups of milk (big fat full-fat milk. Do it.)
• Pinch of cinnamon
• Pinch of ground all-spice
• Pinch of dried chilli
• Pinch of cardamom
• Cinnamon stick to garnish
• Whipped cream – use the skooshy one!
• A tot of brandy, whisky, baileys or similar (strictly for grown-ups)
• Marshmallows for the kids

Method

Slowly heat the milk in a pan. Add all the spices, then whisk in the chocolate. Bring to the boil, but be careful not to overheat as this will impair flavour. Add your choice of booze if it pleases. Pour into a cup, garnish with the cream, cinnamon stick and marshmallows. Mmmmm!

The simple things, as always, are the nicest. Anyone out there have a Halloween hot drink idea to share? Tell us!