Ruby Hot Chocolate

This Ruby Hot Chocolate isn’t just warm and delicious treat. It’s a lovely pink with a more subtle flavor, thanks to the ruby chocolate. It’s perfect for cold days, or when you want to show someone that you care.

I never thought I’d like Ruby Hot Chocolate. As someone who enjoys dark chocolate with a deep chocolate-y flavor, ruby chocolate – with its more subtle flavor – didn’t sound appealing to me. Boy, was I wrong! 

What is Ruby Hot Chocolate

This visually distinct hot chocolate recipe is made using ruby chocolate, which features a lovely pink hue and a more subtle flavor profile. While ruby chocolate doesn’t have the popularity of the better known chocolate types, this hot chocolate recipe is a simple and delicious way to use the pink-purple confectionary.

What is ruby chocolate

Ruby chocolate is a relatively recent innovation the world of confectionary. It’s been helmed as the fourth type of chocolate (alongside dark, milk, and white chocolate). Ruby chocolate is made from specially processed ruby cocoa beans, resulting in its pink color as well as a subtle, almost fruity flavor. 

Ruby chocolate is credited as a creation of Barry Callebaut, a Belgian-Swiss cocoa processor and chocolate manufacturer, though chocolate experts note that this pink chocolate variety has been available previously as some cocoa pods are naturally pink.

Since its inception, ruby chocolate has become easier to find. While you can obtain it directly from Callebaut, or various chocolate retailers, it’s often stocked by major supermarket chains as well. I’ve even seen pre-made ruby hot chocolate powders!

What does it taste like

Ruby chocolate has a subtly fruity flavor with a very slight hint of sourness. It’s closest in flavor profile to white chocolate but less sweet. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a chocolate treat with a less intense chocolate flavor. 

Ingredients

• Milk
• Pure vanilla extract
• Ruby chocolate, chopped/ruby chocolate chips
• Salt

How to make ruby hot chocolate

Keeping with theme of simple luxury, this pink hot chocolate recipe is very easy to make. Begin by warming the milk and vanilla extract in a pot over a medium high heat. Once warm, add the ruby chocolate (use either chopped chocolate or chocolate chips/buttons), and remove the pan from the heat. Whisk until the chocolate melts completely and you’ve got a smooth mixture. Add a pinch of salt (to taste). 

Serve warm with your choice of topping. Enjoy! 

Tips

What kind of milk to use

The type of milk you use matters! While you can cut a few calories using skimmed milk, you should keep in mind that the higher the fat content in the milk, the creamier your hot chocolate will taste. While you don’t need to go as far as using heavy cream, I do recommend making this recipe with whole milk. 

Don’t boil the milk

When heating your milk, be careful not to boil it. Boiled milk will result in its protein being denatured and a sticky film to form. It will prevent the chocolate from melting properly. You want a warm milk that will gently melt your chocolate.  

What kind of chocolate to use

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This recipe requires ruby chocolate. If you’d like a recipe using regular chocolate, consider making this hot chocolate recipe, or this Nutella hot chocolate recipe.

Whisk thoroughly

I’ll be honest with you, bestie. This is a mistake I used to make a lot. Instead of grabbing the whisk and thoroughly whisking my hot chocolate mix, I’d just grab a spoon or a spatula and give it a stir so that it whirled around a bit in the pot. Whisking thoroughly will make sure that the chocolate melts evenly and that you don’t have any clumps.

A nice mug

You wouldn’t think this an issue, but a nice cup or mug that’s easy to hold makes all the difference. Mainly, if it’s one of those weirdly-shaped novelty mugs that you have to place down on the table every five seconds, you don’t get to enjoy the warm feeling of holding the mug. A simple mug will work fine.

Toppings make life better

While hot chocolate is great, the experience is enhanced by adding the right toppings. These certainly aren’t a mandatory addition (your ruby hot chocolate will taste good without any additional toppings), but they do make the experience more fun. Something about adding toppings makes hot chocolate just feel more plush. 

Topping suggestions

You’re only limited by your imagination here. Here are a few topping ideas, but feel free to experiment with whatever sounds good to you. 

• Whipped cream with ruby chocolate shavings on top
• Whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and chocolate shavings
• Whipped cream and edible flowers
• Add marshmallows raspberries to emphasize the fruity notes in ruby chocolate
• Go crazy, toss in a dark chocolate bar