Hot Chocolate Drinks

[hillwalker]

I have just returned from a ski holiday in Italy and would love to make the delicious hot chocolate I had there. It was extremely thick, tasted like pure melted down chocolate and bore no resemblence to the powdered stuff that passes for hot chocolate over here.
Can anyone help?

[BBWCHATT]

Hillwalker - I am not sure if this is what you are looking for or not:

Triple Hot Chocolate

1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
3 cups milk, divided
3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup heavy cream
1 (1 ounce) bittersweet chocolate squares
1 (1 ounce) white chocolate baking squares
3/4 cup whipped cream
6 teaspoons mini chocolate chips

Combine sugar, cocoa, salt and 1/2 cup milk in medium bowl.
Beat until smooth.
Pour into crock pot.
Add remaining milk and vanilla extract.
Cover and cook on LOW for 2 hours.
Add cream; cover and cook on LOW for 10 minutes.
Stir in bittersweet and white chocolates.
Pour hot chocolate into 6 coffee cups.
Top each with 2 tablespoons whipped cream and 1 teaspoon chocolate chips.

Metric:
78.78 ml granulated sugar
59.15 ml unsweetened cocoa powder
1.23 ml salt
709.77 ml milk, divided
3.70 ml vanilla extract
236.59 ml heavy cream
1 (28 1/3 g) bittersweet chocolate squares
1 (28 1/3 g) white chocolate baking squares
177.44 ml whipped cream
29.57 ml mini chocolate chips

[KenR]

I think you want to look out for Charbonnel et Walker (or possibly even Bonnat) rather than any sort of Cadbury or cocoa poweder style product. Much richer, much more like pure melted chocolate... but much more expensive LOL
I know you can pick up Charbonnel et Walker drinking chocolate in Sainsbury's... perhaps possibly Waitrose as well.
That beinig said, if I am sitting at home and want pure comfort drinking chocolate then it has to be Cadbury's

[pieeater]

I just use good quality chocolate melted gently in the microwave or a pan ,add hot milk and then whisk.Quantities depend on taste.Better than any powder.

[hillwalker]

Thanks to you all for these three very different suggestions.
I've printed off the recipe, BBWCHATT, and will certainly try it out for something a bit special as it sounds delicious - though I imagine that the ski restaurants on the slopes probably won't go to that amount of effort and will use something commercial.
I'll also fork out and try the Charbonnel et Walker, KenR, if I can get source it locally (not having a Sainsburys or Waitrose).
Your answer, Pieeater, sounds quick and simple though I wonder if it becomes thick. I'll try it out and see!

[lewisgcox]

have you tried the hot chocolate milano at caffe nero? that's just like the stuff you get out there. mind you, i dont know if you're in britain or not...

[hillwalker]

Thanks, Lewisgcox. I am from bonnie Scotland so no problem to try out the Cafe Nero Milano hot chocolate and compare. Maybe they will part with their secret!