Indulge in the ultimate cozy treat with this French Hot Chocolate (Chocolat Chaud) — luxuriously thick, rich, and perfectly creamy! Made with real dark chocolate and warm milk, this Parisian-style drink is pure comfort in a cup and so easy to make at home.

A clear glass mug filled with French Hot chocolate on a table with pastries and marshmallows around it.

French Hot Chocolate Recipe

Although this is an old post on the site, readers are loving this Viral French Hot Chocolate Recipe. This just happens to be one of my favorite indulgences during the holiday season – I still remember the first time I had it at Angelina Paris during a trip back in 2017. My husband and I both loved the rich and luxurious chocolate beverage, accompanied by generous dollops of whipped cream. It’s basically dessert in a mug!

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Rebecca’s Recipe Review

Taste: Rich, deep chocolaty flavor.

Texture: Thick and incredibly creamy!

Ease: 3/10

Pros: Luxury hot chocolate made right at home with easy ingredients.

Cons: None, this hot chocolate is perfection!

Would I Make This Again? Yes, both my husband and I enjoy this French Hot Chocolate Recipe.

Overhead photo of a mug of French hot chocolate topped with marshmallows on a maroon surface.

French Hot Cocoa Ingredients

This luxurious drinking chocolate recipe is incredibly simple to make, using just a few ingredients in no time! Yet yields such rich and creamy results that it tastes as if it came from a high-quality cafe!

French Hot Chocolate is known for its incredibly thick and creamy consistency and decadent flavor! It basically walks a fine line between liquid and pudding!

This is accomplished in this recipe by using heavy cream, whole milk, and melting down a chocolate bar. However, some recipes use other ingredients such as cornstarch.

Adjusting Sweetness and Flavor

The beauty of French Hot Chocolate lies in its customization to suit your personal taste. If you prefer your hot chocolate on the sweeter side, you can simply use a chocolate bar with a lower cacao percentage, such as milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate, and adjust the amount of sugar to your liking. For a more intense, less sweet experience, opt for high-quality bittersweet or dark chocolate (such as brands like Ghirardelli, Valrhona, or Callebaut, which are at least 70% cacao).

If you’d like to balance out the richness or add some depth, stirring in a pinch of instant espresso powder works wonders—bringing out the chocolate flavor without making it taste like coffee. On the other hand, for classic sweetness, leave out the espresso and add an extra teaspoon of sugar or even a touch of vanilla extract. The result is a cup that can easily be made as sweet, rich, or subtly complex as you crave.

How To Make French Hot Chocolate

Whisk together the milk, cream, and sugar, and heat in a medium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles start to form on the outer edge of the pot.
While it heats, chop up the chocolate.
Remove from the heat and add the chocolate and vanilla. Let the chocolate sit for 2 minutes without stirring. Then whisk until a rich chocolate color forms; let it sit again for 5 minutes.
Pour the French Hot Chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, and chocolate shavings.

How To Enjoy French Style Hot Chocolate

Hot Chocolate Bar – Hot chocolate bars are super fun for everyone! Start by making a large batch of this hot chocolate. Then, set it out with some mugs that are big enough to add toppings! Then, arrange a variety of toppings for friends and family to choose from as they create their own cup of hot chocolate. Sprinkles, crushed peppermint, marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate stirrers, candy canes, and even Homemade Chocolate Syrup for drizzling!
Homemade Marshmallows – Add a few of these thick, fluffy marshmallows to your mug! They taste way better than store-bought and are really fun to make!
Homemade Whipped Cream – Made with only 3 ingredients in 5 minutes! French Hot Chocolate with whipped cream is a heavenly treat!
Add a Spin of Flavor – Add a tablespoon of light brown sugar! You’ll love the depth of flavor it adds to this drink.
Spike It – Give this hot chocolate a splash of Irish cream for a boozy kick!

A clear glass mug filled with French Hot chocolate on a table with pastries and marshmallows around it. A spoon is dipping and drizzling the drink.

Rebecca’s French Drinking Chocolate Tips

Heating – It’s important to heat the milk, cream, and sugar over medium-high heat ONLY until bubbles start to form on the outer edge. Don’t allow it to boil or it may burn!
Chocolate Bar – Once you learn how to make hot chocolate with chocolate bars, you’ll be hooked! For best results, chop the chocolate bar into smaller pieces so it melts more evenly.
Melting – If you find that the chopped chocolate isn’t melting, you can return it to the stovetop. Heat it over low heat, whisking only until the chocolate has completely melted. Again, don’t allow it to boil!
Consistency – Remember, the consistency of this hot chocolate is THICK! Don’t let it trick you into thinking it needs to cook longer to thin out.
Keep It Creamy – If you’re tempted to swap in water for the milk or cream, I’d recommend holding off—it just won’t deliver that signature richness you’re craving in a classic French hot chocolate. While water works in a pinch for instant mixes, it doesn’t provide the velvety, café-worthy texture or depth of flavor. For the most decadent results, opt for milk, cream, or your favorite dairy alternative for the ultimate Parisian sipping experience.

French Hot Cocoa Storing Instructions

Yes, you can store any leftover French Hot Chocolate in an airtight container or a jar with a tight lid. Place it in the refrigerator and enjoy it within 2 to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop, stirring frequently.

More Hot Chocolate Recipes:

Hot Chocolate Coffee – Chocolate AND coffee, the best of both worlds!
Hot Chocolate Bombs – A Complete Guide -Make your kids hot cocoa dreams come true!
DIY Hot Cocoa Bar – Lots of fun when you’re hosting through the cold months!
Tini’s Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Whipped Cream – Don’t miss out on this Viral recipe!
Nutella Hot Chocolate – Rich, creamy, hazelnut goodness!

Did You Make This Recipe?

If you’ve tried this recipe, please let leave a review in the comments below. I love hearing from you! Don’t forget to tag me – @sugarandsoulco – on Instagram and Pinterest with your photos, or join our Sugar & Soul Show-offs Community and share them there.

This recipe was originally published in October 2017 and was updated in November 2022 with fresh photos and content.

5 from 8 votes

French Hot Chocolate (Parisian Style)

Author Rebecca Hubbell

Course Drink

Cuisine French

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 5

Total Time 20

This isn’t your average hot cocoa — this French Hot Chocolate is decadently rich, silky smooth, and made with real chocolate. One sip and you’ll feel like you’re sipping chocolat chaud in a cozy Paris café

Ingredients

▢ 1½ cups whole milk
▢ ½ cup heavy cream
▢ 1 tablespoon powdered sugar sifted
▢ 8 ounces 60% bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
▢ homemade whipped cream optional topping
▢ homemade marshmallows optional topping
▢ chocolate curls optional topping

Instructions

In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, whisk together the 1½ cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, and 1 tablespoon powdered sugar and heat until bubbles start to form on the outer edge. DO NOT BOIL.
1½ cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
Remove from heat and add in the chopped 8 ounces 60% bittersweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then let sit for 2 minutes. Then whisk until a rich chocolate color forms; let sit for about 5 minutes.
8 ounces 60% bittersweet chocolate, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs and finish off with homemade whipped cream or homemade marshmallows and chocolate curls.
homemade whipped cream, homemade marshmallows, chocolate curls