Summer is officially here, which means it's time to get ready for the countless plates of BBQ food we’ll be devouring throughout the sunny weekends to come!
With many of us already embracing the feeling of the sunshine on our skin with an ice cream to hand, it’s time to get prepared for the warmer evenings with a selection of refreshing drinks to keep you and your guests cool this summer.
We all know that nothing quite beats a table of BBQ food and picnic bites at a garden party – that’s something that will never change! But, if you’re getting set for the many garden gatherings to come, why not use your refreshment range as an opportunity to get creative this summer?
After all, preparing for a great BBQ doesn’t stop at dusting the cobwebs off the garden furniture (beware the spiders!) and stocking up your drinks cooler.
A notoriously good host or hostess always provides a fantastic selection of drinks, especially if you want your guests to cope in the heatwave to come! So, how about changing up your beverages with a chocolatey temptation?
Deviating away from cans of fizz in the cooler to a DIY milkshake masterclass can give your guests a great opportunity to try something new and have great fun in the process. Plus, it’s certain to be an easy win with any younger guests in attendance!
With only a few ingredients and an ice cube tray, it’s simple to create delicious, iced chocolate drinks from home. Choose your desired flavours from our variety of Drinking Chocolate Flakes (also great for creating delicious hot chocolates) and follow our best tips to create exceptional chocolate coolers from home.
Here’s how to make them…
1) Using your chosen flavour of chocolate flakes, add 4-5 heaped tablespoons of shavings to a glass (or more if you like it extra chocolatey!) and combine with 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Mix the boiling water into the flakes and stir thoroughly to melt all the chocolate shavings and form a thick paste. Ensure the chocolate flakes have melted and the paste does not contain any lumps.
2) If using the Dualit Milk Frother Gift Set, fill the Dualit with cold milk (you can use any milk, including nut or plant-based milk alternatives) until the Max line is reached, and secure the lid on top.
When ready, press and hold the power button on the device for 2.5 seconds to trigger the cold froth setting. A blue light will show to signal that the cold setting has been activated, and then the Dualit will get to work on whisking your milk until it’s nice and frothy.
Once complete, the blue light will switch off. You can then unplug the Dualit from the socket and pour the milk into the glass.*
Alternatively, if you and your guests are undertaking your milkshake masterclass by hand without the assistance of gadgets, you simply need to top up your glass with any milk of your choice. Pour this on top of the chocolate paste and fill about one inch from the top of the glass (making sure you leave room for whipped cream, of course!).
3) Combine the cold milk with the chocolate paste by stirring thoroughly with a spoon. Ensure this is mixed well to avoid any residue forming in the bottom of the glass.
Top Tip: Once mixed, add a few chocolate ice cubes to give a refreshingly icy finish to your chocolate drink.**
4) Pop a few ice cubes into your glass, and lastly, top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce to perfect your iced chocolate drink.
You can even add a sprinkle of chocolate flakes on top to impress your guests with an extra fancy finish! So, irregardless of whichever flavours you choose, you can guarantee that you'll bring the entire garden party together with an iced chocolate workshop this summer.
*Please follow care instructions in the Dualit information booklet to ensure your device is cleaned and stored correctly after use.
**To make chocolate ice cubes, you will need to prepare these in advance by repeating steps one and two to create a cold chocolate mixture. Once ready, pour the mixture into the ice cube mould and freeze for at least 4 hours to set.
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