Our Signature Italian Drinking Chocolate with Lavender Recipe

Are you missing our Italian Drinking Chocolate? Or maybe you've never tried this decadent drink but now that you've seen it, you can't wait to have a taste? Don't worry, we've got you.

Wānaka Lavender Farm has been serving this luxurious lavender hot chocolate in stylish teacups for many years over the colder months. It quickly became a local favourite, especially among children returning to the farm with their parents or grandparents. Unfortunately, this beverage has recently been removed from our menu but we didn't want to leave our guests with nothing, so here is the recipe! Recreate the same silky smooth liquid chocolate from the comfort of your own home...

Ingredients:

• 1 cup 55% chocolate

• 1 cup 70% chocolate

• 57g butter

• 4 tbsp cornflour

• ½ cup sugar

• 1L milk

• 4 drops culinary lavender oil (Angustifolia)*

• A sprinkle of lavender salt (optional)

These measurements make roughly 8 small servings of this heavenly hot chocolate, which is plenty to share with the whole family.

*Please note that not all lavender oils are safe for consumption. Lavandula Angustifolia can be used as food flavouring and we use the Pacific Blue variety, which you can find in our farm shop or on our online store:

Lavender Pure Essential Oil (100% Pacific Blue)

FromNZ$29.00

Buy Now

Already have the other ingredients in your pantry but still need the final garnish? Find Lavender Salt in our farm shop or on our online store:

Lavender Salt 110ml

NZ$12.00

Buy Now

Utensils and Equipment:

• Large spoon

• Small metal or glass bowl

• Small/medium saucepan

• Large pot

• Spatula

• Whisk

Method:

1. Melt chocolate using the bain-marie technique

2. In a large pot, melt the butter on low heat

3. Once melted, remove from heat, and mix in the cornflour with a spatula

4. Add sugar and continue to combine the ingredients with the spatula

5. Place the pot back on low heat and gradually add milk to the mixture; whisking until the sugar has dissolved and the milk is heated through and gradually thickening

6. Add melted chocolate to the large pot

7. Whisk mixture as it thickens, ensuring you don't burn bottom/sides

8. When the mixture has reached desired thickness, turn off heat, use dropper to add Culinary Lavender Oil and mix well

9. Optional: add a pinch of Lavender Salt on top when serving

We hope you enjoy sipping on our special Italian Drinking Chocolate with Lavender this winter and for many more winters to come!