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A glass filled with Lemon Meringue Hot Chocolate surrounded by lemons and lemon sugar.

Lemon Meringue Hot Chocolate, Lemon Sugar

Here's a fun, bright and happy twist on Hot Chocolate, the perfect drink as winter ends, but it's still chilly enough to warrant something hot to enjoy.
Course Drinks
Cuisine North American
Keyword hot chocolate, lemon meringue, lemon sugar
Prep Time 15 minutes
Servings 1

Ingredients

Lemon Sugar

  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • zest from two medium to large lemons

Lemon Meringue Hot Chocolate, one serving

  • 1 large egg separated
  • 3 tsp lemon sugar divided
  • 1/3 cup (40 grams) chopped white chocolate
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • good pinch of kosher salt
  • pinch of cornstarch

Instructions

Lemon Sugar

  1. In a small bowl combine 1/2 cup sugar and lemon zest from two medium to large lemons. Crush them both between your fingers till well combined, and the oils from the zest infuse the sugar. Store in a sealed container for a couple of days. When ready, the fragrance will be pronounced and lovely. Store at room temperature.

Lemon Meringue Hot Chocolate

  1. Combine the egg yolk and 2 tsp lemon sugar in a small pot. Once smooth, add in 1/3 cup chopped white chocolate, one cup of milk, and a good pinch of salt to the pot. Set the pot over medium-low heat. Continue whisking until the mixture is warmed through, is steaming, and the chocolate is completely melted. Do not allow it to come to a boil. Remove from the heat. Cover with a lid to keep it warm.

  2. To make the meringue, add the egg white to a bowl. Add two tsp of the lemon sugar and a pinch of cornstarch to the egg and whisk well. A hand held electric whisk works best. Stop as soon as the egg whites are glossy and stiff peaks are achieved. Don't overwhip, or the egg whites will actually separate.

  3. Pour the hot chocolate to a large glass or mug. Spoon the meringue over the hot chocolate.
  4. Use a kitchen torch to burnish the meringue. If you don't have a kitchen torch you can place the mug(s) onto a baking dish and set under the oven broiler. Keep your eye on it, as soon as some colour has been achieved, remove the baking sheet. Once cool enough to handle, enjoy your hot chocolate!
  5. See blog post for more details and trouble-shooting.

Recipe Notes

I prefer using whole milk for this drink, but other versions of milk should work just fine.
Use the lemon sugar on buttered toast, in tea, or in baking.