Spiced oaty hot chocolate

This is a lovely seasonal drink that can be made up in advance and kept hot in a Thermos flask. It is great for taking with you on a family walk on a cold winter’s day. You can add your own twist to this recipe. Why not try topping it with mini marsh mallows or use other spices like ground ginger if you prefer.

Serves 6

Ingredients

1 litre Oatdrink/Chocoloat

½ teasp vanilla extract

½ teasp ground cinnamon

5 star anise

Seeds from 5 cardamom pods, ground

12 teasp cocoa powder (or 6 teasp if using Chocoloat

To serve

Dark or spiced rum to taste (optional)

Flakes of dark chocolate

Non-dairy cream, whipped

Put 4 tbsp of Oatdrink/Chocoloat into a jug. Add the vanilla extract, cinnamon, ground cardamom seeds, star anise and cocoa powder. Stir well, adding a little more Oatdrink/Chocoloat to make a smooth mixture.

Warm the remaining Oatdrink/Chocoloat in a saucepan until it just begins to boil. Remove from the heat and gradually pour into the cocoa and spice mixture, stirring well. Remove the star anise. Serve in mugs, with a tot of rum. Top with shards of dark chocolate and a dollop of whipped non-dairy cream.