Brrrrrr! Warm up with a cup of this easy-to-make Mexican hot chocolate

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

750ml (3 cups) milk

250ml (1 cup) fresh cream

2 cinnamon sticks

1 star anise

5ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract

170g dark chocolate 

100g (½ cup) sticky brown sugar

Pinch of cayenne pepper

Mini marshmallows, to garnish

Method:

1. Combine milk, cream, cinnamon sticks, star anise and vanilla extract in a saucepan over medium heat and stir until it just begins to boil.
2. Immediately remove from heat and add the chocolate and sugar, stirring until melted.
3. Stir in cayenne pepper, then pour into mugs and serve with mini marshmallows scattered on top.

• This recipe is adapted from one originally published in the Sunday Times Lifestyle magazine.