Hot White Chocolate

• 4 cups milk
• 2/3 cup good-quality white chocolate
• 1 tablespoon hazelnut syrup

Combine the milk and chocolate in a medium saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 5 minutes or until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth but do not boil. Stir in the hazelnut syrup.

Even the whipped cream topping in this recipe is minty. The white chocolate is so much more mellow than dark, but the mint really adds a fresh spark to this hot chocolate. Ideal for Christmas.

• 8 oz. white chocolate, chopped
• 3 1/2 cups milk
• 6 hard peppermint candies, crushed fine
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 2/3 cup whipping cream

Beat chilled cream with crushed mints until stiff peaks form. Refrigerate for about an hour. Meanwhile, heat milk to a simmer, them mix in chocolate. Whisk until chocolate is melted and smooth. Add mint extract and stir through. Pour into mugs and top with minty whipped cream. Serves 4.

This festive take on regular hot chocolate tastes divine - smooth, decadent white chocolate laced with cinnamon, cloves and orange.

• 1 cup thickened cream
• 6 whole cloves
• 3 x 7cm cinnamon sticks
• 6 cups milk
• 300g white chocolate, coarsely grated
• 3 oranges, thinly sliced
• Pinch of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup Grand Marnier liqueur
• Coarsely grated white chocolate, extra, to serve
• Orange zest, to serve

Use a balloon whisk to beat the cream in a large bowl until soft peaks form. Place the cloves and cinnamon in a mortar and pound with a pestle until lightly crushed. Place the cinnamon mixture, milk, chocolate, orange and nutmeg in a large saucepan over low heat. Cook, stirring, for 3 minutes until just boiling. Use a milk frother or a balloon whisk to create froth on top of the milk mixture. Divide the milk mixture and Grand Marnier among heatproof serving glasses or coffee cups. Top with the cream, extra chocolate and orange rind. Serve immediately.

You don't always have to use dark chocolate when making cocoa. Hot chocolate made with white chocolate is particularly relaxing and smooth. This is a very creamy recipe.

• 3 oz. white chocolate, chopped
• 2 cups half 'n half
• 2 cups hot coffee
• whipped cream

Heat the milk and chocolate together in a saucepan until melted and smooth. Stir in coffee and serve with whipped cream on top. Serves 6.