Viral NYC Hot Chocolate
Skip the crowds and stay cozy while you enjoy this Viral NYC Hot Chocolate right at home! Dark, rich homemade hot chocolate finished off with the iconic marshmallow rim and scoop of whipped cream, one sip feels like a New York holiday moment standing by the Rockefeller Christmas Tree!
NYC Glace Hot Chocolate At Home!
Bring the holiday magic home with a cup of this NYC Hot Chocolate! Inspired by the iconic Glace Truck, founded by Sasha Zabar, this over-the-top hot chocolate is going viral on social media, and for good reason!
It’s a winter indulgence that’s overflowing with festive fun in every cup! Thick, creamy, chocolaty goodness nestled in a cup that’s surrounded by a toasted cloud of marshmallow fluff and topped with a scoop of fluffy whipped cream.
Made right at home with easy ingredients, this NYC Viral Glace Hot Chocolate is a full-on holiday experience that can also be enjoyed all winter long! Now you don’t have to miss out on the NYC experience when you can bring it home with this copycat recipe, best enjoyed cozied up next to your Christmas tree!
Rebecca’s Recipe Review
Taste: Dark, rich, slightly bitter hot chocolate with a sweet marshmallow fluff.
Texture: Thick and creamy, a bit of gooeyness as the fluff melts.
Ease: 6/10 – not hard but much more involved than other hot chocolate recipes.
Pros: Completely from scratch, high-quality ingredients, and flavor.
Cons: Completely from scratch, therefore time-consuming.
Would I Make This Again? Yes, I especially love the toasted fluff and would definitely make that part of our regular cocoa routine.
NYC Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Marshmallow Fluff
– Large Egg Whites
– Granulated Sugar
– Cream Of Tartar
– Pure Vanilla Extract
Hot Cocoa
– Evaporated Milk
– Whole Milk
– Heavy Cream
– Light Brown Sugar
– Dutch-Process Cocoa Powder
– Sea Salt
– Semi-Sweet Chocolate
– Vanilla Bean Paste
Fun Hot Cocoa Toppings
This Viral NYC Hot Chocolate stands out thanks to its over-the-top edible finishes that make this hot cocoa an instant sensation on social media. And just because you aren’t ordering this hot chocolate directly off the streets of NYC doesn’t mean you can’t dress it up at home; doing so is the BEST part!
Here are some fun hot cocoa toppings to enjoy with this Copycat NYC Hot Chocolate:
- A scoop of whipped cream is the classic NYC cocoa topping in all of the variations. I’d stick to homemade whipped cream for the best flavor, but I also get being in a pinch or wanting a quick fix, so store-bought would be fine too.
- Marshmallows are always a hit with hot chocolate. Use my Homemade Marshmallow Recipe to whip up a batch and then cut them out into fun shapes using cookie cutters for a showy appearance. You can also use peppermint marshmallows or chocolate-dipped marshmallows!
- Drizzle the top of the hot chocolate with Chocolate Syrup, salted caramel, or a Nutella drizzle!
- Forgo the whipped cream and add a scoop of vanilla ice cream and then smother it in hot fudge sauce!
- Finish this NYC Hot Chocolate off with mini candy canes, crushed peppermint sprinkles, holiday-themed sprinkles, chocolate shavings, a chocolate kiss, cinnamon sticks, or even a mini cookie! Feel free to use any edible addition that will take your mug of hot cocoa over the top.
How To Make The Viral NYC Hot Chocolate
Marshmallow Fluff
- Bring a medium sauce pan of shallow water to a low boil over medium heat.
- Add large egg whites, granulated sugar, and cream of tartar to a heatproof bowl that’s larger than the pot of water on the stovetop.
- Place the bowl of egg white mixture on top of the pot, making sure it doesn’t touch the water!
- Whisk the egg mixture while increasing the heat to medium-high. Continue to whisk until you can no longer feel any sugar granules between your fingers.
- Pour the egg mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer that’s fitted with a whisk attachment. Then add in vanilla extract and beat at high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer this marshmallow mixture into a piping bag or a jar for storage.
Hot Cocoa
- Whisk evaporated milk, whole milk, heavy cream, light brown sugar, Dutch-process cocoa powder, and sea salt together in a medium saucepan. Heat the cocoa mix over medium heat until the sugar dissolves.
- Add in the chopped semi-sweet chocolate and whisk the mixture until it becomes smooth.
- Stir vanilla bean paste into the hot chocolate and then simmer over low heat.
- Remove the homemade hot chocolate from the heat.
Assembling The Viral Hot Chocolate
- Pour the hot cocoa into mugs.
- Pipe the homemade marshmallow fluff around the inside of the mug as well as the rim.
- Toast the marshmallow fluff with a kitchen torch until golden brown.
- Top with a scoop of whipped cream, enjoy!
Rebecca’s NYC Hot Chocolate Tips
- For a richer, thicker hot chocolate 1/2 cup of milk can be replaced with heavy cream.
- Since this hot chocolate has a more intense chocolate flavor and isn’t as sweet, feel free to adjust the sweetness level to your liking. To do so, you can simply add extra sugar or simple syrup.
- Feel free to make this recipe with your milk of choice. I do prefer whole milk as it yields a creamier cup of hot chocolate.
- Semi-sweet chocolate produces a closer copycat to the NYC Hot Chocolate. However, if you’d like, you can also swap it out for milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
- High-quality chocolate will serve up the best-tasting homemade hot chocolate.
- Looking for a shortcut to this showstopping drink? You can use your favorite instant hot cocoa mix and then pipe on store-bought fluff or marshmallow cream. The shortcut will cause you to lose out on the flavor experience of New York City Hot Chocolate, but it will still serve up a fun, festive drink.
Hot Chocolate Variations To Try With This Viral Cocoa Drink!
Feel free to use your favorite hot chocolate when making this fun NYC style hot chocolate. Here are some tasty hot cocoa recipes to use for a flavor variation.
- Minty Goodness! – If you prefer a minty cup of hot chocolate then try this NYC style drink with Peppermint Hot Chocolate.
- Kick Of Heat! – Enjoy hot chocolate with another level of heat by trying this fun hot cocoa drink with my Creamy Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe that’s made with chili powder.
- White Chocolate! – Love white hot chocolate instead? Give it a try with a Viral NYC White Hot Chocolate variation. I think it would make for a tasty variation!
- Festive Eggnog! – Give this Viral NYC a festive touch by enjoying it with this Eggnog Hot Chocolate.
- Adult Hot Chocolate! – Host friends and family or settle in for a cold winter’s night with an adult NYC style hot chocolate made with alcohol. Kahlua Hot Chocolate or Irish Cream Hot Chocolate would both be great choices.
Storage Instructions For Leftover Viral NYC Hot Chocolate
Since this hot cocoa recipe makes 4 servings you may have leftovers! If so, allow the homemade hot cocoa to cool and then transfer it into an airtight container or mason jar.
Store the hot cocoa in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat the hot chocolate in the microwave or on the stovetop over low heat while stirring constantly to prevent burning.
More Great Hot Chocolate Recipes:
- Tini’s Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Whipped Cream – Tastes like it’s from a holiday movie!
- French Hot Chocolate (Angelina Paris Copycat) – Luxuriously thick, rich, and creamy!
- Hot Chocolate Bombs – A Complete Guide – Sweet treats that also make a fun gift!
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate – Made in 10 minutes with just 5 ingredients!
- Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix – Perfect to keep on hand for the kids all winter long!
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.
Viral NYC Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
Marshmallow Fluff
- 3 large egg whites
- ¾ cup granulated sugar 150g
- ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Hot Cocoa
- 1½ cups evaporated milk 354mL
- 1½ cups whole milk 360mL
- ½ cup heavy cream 120mL
- ½ cup light brown sugar 100g, packed
- ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder 25g
- ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
- 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chopped
- 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste
Whipped Cream
Instructions
Marshmallow Fluff
- Fill a medium saucepan with 2 inches of water and bring to a low boil over medium heat.
- In a heatproof bowl larger than the pot's mouth, add 3 large egg whites, ¾ cup granulated sugar, and ½ teaspoon cream of tartar.
- Place the bowl on top of the pot (ensuring it doesn't touch the water).
- Increase the heat to medium-high and whisk the egg mixture continuously. Whisk until you can't feel any sugar granules between your fingers; the mixture should read 160℉ on a candy thermometer when ready.
- Pour the egg mixture and 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract into a stand mixer bowl fitted with a whisk attachment and beat at high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Transfer into a piping bag or jar for storage.
Hot Cocoa
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together 1½ cups evaporated milk, 1½ cups whole milk, ½ cup heavy cream, ½ cup light brown sugar, ¼ cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, and ⅛ teaspoon sea salt. Heat over medium until the sugar dissolves.
- Add in the chopped 4 ounces semi-sweet chocolate and whisk until smooth.
- Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste and bring to a light simmer over low heat. Remove from heat and pour into mugs.
- Pipe the prepared marshmallow fluff around the inside and onto the rim of each mug, and use a kitchen torch to toast the marshmallow until golden brown.
- Top with a scoop of whipped cream.
Notes
- 1/2 cup of milk can be replaced with heavy cream for a richer and thicker hot chocolate.
- This hot chocolate has a more intense chocolate flavor and is less sweet. Feel free to add extra sugar or simple syrup to adjust to your liking.
Nutrition
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