Menu
Author:
Franco Salzillo
Dark chocolate is the king of chocolates. Elegant, a bit bitter, luscious and decadent, the more cacao used in the chocolate, the better. Sure, not everyone is a fan of the grown-up treat, but when combined with coconut cream, coffee and lots of ice, you end up with the most exciting and sophisticated drink.
That’s what we’re doing today; we’re melting some fancy dark chocolate and using it to flavor a delightful, iced coffee. Six ingredients, if you count the ice, is all you need to put together this beauty. And I think we’re finally one step ahead of the large coffee shop chain — they don’t have anything like this! (yet, at least.)
Let’s start from the beginning. All iced coffee drinks start with good coffee. If you don’t have that, forget it. Not even chocolate can save a so-so coffee. Use a nice Arabica blend, perhaps a tanned medium roast, and brew a cup of steaming coffee.
And by steaming, we mean almost boiling because we’re using the coffee’s heat to melt a bunch of dark chocolate chips. Stir until the chocolate melts, and you’ll already have a nice drink in hand, an authentic mocha. But this is just the beginning.
We’re also using coconut cream, and if you get the sweet kind, it will work as our sweetener as well. Just make sure it’s rich and creamy and not watery. Coconut cream is readily available (and it makes the loveliest Thai curry, by the way), so you should always have some in hand.
The rest is just whipped cream as a garnish. The result, though, is everything but ordinary. The combination of coffee, dark chocolate and coconut is delightful. So much, this might just become your new favorite iced coffee; it’s that good.
This specialty drink is intense and bold, so you want to serve it with something milder. Butter cookies or shortbread cookies are fantastic, and you might find some with shaved coconut — that would be the perfect pairing. Let’s just say this coffee is the star of the show, and it’s not easy to overpower, so enjoy it with your favorite treat; even chocolate cake will do!
Brew the coffee and immediately add the chocolate chip. Stir until melted.
In a blender, add the ice coconut cream and chocolate-infused coffee. Blend until slushy.
Pour into a glass and garnish with whipped cream.
