Blackberry Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

200 g/ 7oz blackberries (fresh or frozen)

3 tablespoon icing (confectionary) sugar

1 tablespoon water (if using fresh blackberries)

½ teaspoon vanilla extract

720 ml/ 3 cups whole milk (or non-dairy equivalent)

120 g/ 4 ¼oz dark chocolate

Optional Garnish (recommended)

Whipped cream

Mini marshmallows

Extra blackberries

Directions

If using frozen blackberries allow to defrost in a small saucepan for 30 minutes. Once softened add the icing sugar and cook, on a moderate heat, for around 5 minutes until the blackberries are soft and squishy

If using fresh blackberries, cook as above with the icing sugar and a tablespoon of water

Push the cooked blackberries and juices through a sieve to create a coulis. Scrape the thick pulp from the outside of the sieve into the coulis as you go. Discard the seeds

Heat the milk until scalding

Meanwhile chop the chocolate and drop into the base of a blender, along with the vanilla extract

Pour the hot milk over the chocolate. Allow to sit for 1 minute

Reserve 1 tablespoon of the blackberry coulis and put the rest into the blender

Blitz until the chocolate has melted and the drink is frothy

Sweeten to taste and reheat if necessary

Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, marshmallows, a drizzle of the reserved blackberry coulis and a blackberry

Serve immediately

Notes

Leftover hot chocolate can be cooled, stored in the fridge and reheated within 2 days. Stir well to re-blend the ingredients