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    Flouring Kitchen » Drinks

    Lemon Meringue White Hot Chocolate

    Published: Nov 18, 2023 by Mary · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This lemon white hot chocolate is creamy, zesty, lemon-ey, and has a fluffy toasted meringue topping! It’s warm, sweet, and refreshing - the perfect cozy winter drink for anyone who loves lemons. It has the components of a lemon meringue pie - creamy lemon white hot chocolate and a cloudy meringue topping. An egg yolk gets cooked in the hot chocolate, giving it a beautiful yellow color and adding richness. Takes under 15 minutes to make. Perfect for sipping through the winter, Christmas, and the holidays!

    This is a single serve recipe, you can double, triple, or quadruple if you prefer. If you love holiday drinks, check out my gingerbread latte! It’s an easy, one serving recipe made from pantry staples.

    lemon white hot chocolate with meringue topping
    Jump to:
    • 🍋 Why you'll LOVE this recipe
    • 📝 Key ingredients
    • 👩‍🍳 How to make lemon white hot chocolate
    • ✔️ Expert tips
    • 🥄 Make ahead and storage
    • 🍋 Can I add lemon juice into white hot chocolate?
    • 📖 Recipe FAQs
    • ☕ More related recipes
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🍋 Why you'll LOVE this recipe

    • Zesty: There's loads of lemon zest, giving the lemon meringue white hot chocolate this beautiful fresh zesty lemon flavor.
    • Creamy: The egg yolk in the hot chocolate gives it extra creaminess and a beautiful yellow color.
    • Meringue topping: A whipped egg white topping gives the hot chocolate a fluffy cloud-like topping that is so satisfying to scoop and sip through.
    • White hot chocolate: A twist on a classic white hot chocolate - this is for all the lemon lovers!

    Pair this with my lemon white chocolate cookies or these fudgy lemon brownies.

    closeup of lemon white hot chocolate in mug with toasted meringue

    📝 Key ingredients

    Read through for all the tips you will need for success!
    Full steps and ingredients in recipe card below.

    lemon white hot chocolate ingredients in bowls
    • Egg: Both the yolk and white get used in this recipe. The yolk gets mixed into the white hot chocolate and cooked, while the white gets whipped up with some sugar for the topping.
    • Milk: I prefer using 2% or whole milk for a creamier hot chocolate. If you're using plant based milk, make sure it doesn't come to a boil because plant milk tends to curdle.
    • Lemon: You'll only need the lemon zest for this recipe. Do not use lemon juice as it will curdle the hot chocolate!
    • White chocolate: I prefer to use a good quality white chocolate bar, but you can use white chocolate chips if you have those on hand. Don't use white crème chips because they don't taste like white chocolate!

    👩‍🍳 How to make lemon white hot chocolate

    separating egg yolk from egg white in a glass

    Step 1: Separate the egg yolk and egg white and set aside. 

    whisking egg yolk and lemon zest in bowl

    Step 2: Add the egg yolk into a small bowl or saucepan. Add grated lemon zest and whisk up to break up the yolk. 

    lemon meringue white hot chocolate mixture in a saucepan

    Step 3: Add the white chocolate and milk into the egg yolk mixture. Heat on medium heat, whisking frequently to prevent burning.

    Take it off the heat once very hot and steaming - just before it comes to a boil. If it forms a film on top, you can scoop or strain it out. 

    beating one egg white meringue

    Step 4: Beat the egg white in a jar or glass with an electric whisk or mixer. I used a handheld electric mixer with only one attachment. Once foamy and soft, add sugar 1 teaspoon at a time and beat until it reaches stiff peaks.

    torching meringue topping with a kitchen torch until toasted

    Step 5: Pour the hot chocolate into a mug. Top with the meringue. Torch the top with a kitchen torch to get it browned and toasty. If you put it under the broiler, make sure your mug is oven safe! Enjoy hot with a spoon on the side to help get through the meringue. 

    ✔️ Expert tips

    1. Don’t add lemon juice: This will curdle the milk in the hot chocolate and make it chunky. Don’t do it! 
    2. Only broil if you have an oven safe mug: This will prevent the cup from breaking under the heat of the broiler. I recommend using a kitchen torch to toast the top of the meringue. 
    3. Use good quality real white chocolate: This gives the hot chocolate the best flavor, since the flavor notes are primarily lemon and white chocolate. 
    4. Use pasteurized eggs: The yolk gets cooked, but if you’re worried about eating raw meringue you can use pasteurized eggs, or cook the meringue well under a broiler. 

    🥄 Make ahead and storage

    You can make lemon white hot chocolate ahead of time and store it in a thermos for up to a few hours until ready to drink. Perfect to bring on all of your winter adventures! I don't recommend making the meringue topping ahead of time because it deflates quickly. Omit it if you plan on making the hot chocolate ahead of time and bringing it with you in a thermos.

    lemon hot chocolate in mug with snowman spoon

    🍋 Can I add lemon juice into white hot chocolate?

    Do NOT add lemon juice into lemon meringue white hot chocolate. I tried because I wanted a tangy lemon flavor, and the acidity curdled the whole thing!

    I recommend only using lemon zest. It adds so much zesty flavor and you can strain it out afterwards if you prefer! Otherwise the zest just settles on the bottom of the cup.

    You can also try adding lemon oil extract or other non-acidic lemon flavorings to help enhance the flavor. I preferred just using the freshly grated lemon zest because it added lots of fresh, lemon flavor.

    📖 Recipe FAQs

    Can I make this with a powdered white hot chocolate mix?

    Yes you can, just use the recommended amount on the package and omit the white chocolate in this recipe. Follow the rest of the recipe as written.

    Can I substitute the white chocolate with milk chocolate or dark chocolate?

    Yes, you can substitute the white chocolate with any other chocolate you may prefer. Chocolate and lemon is a classic flavor combination.

    Can I use other citrus fruits instead?

    Yes, you can experiment making this hot chocolate with other zested fruits! It would be really delicious with orange zest. Just make sure to not add any citrus juice or it will curdle the milk. Zest is ok because it's just oil.

    Can I add lemon extract?

    Lemon oil can help enhance the lemon flavor in the hot chocolate. However, if the lemon extract or flavoring is acidic, it will curdle the hot chocolate. So be careful!

    I found that just freshly grated lemon zest on its own gave the hot chocolate the best, fresh zesty lemon flavor. Lemon extract isn't necessary for the lemon flavor, but it will help make it even more lemon-ey!

    ☕ More related recipes

    • gingerbread latte with candy cane and gingerbread cookiess
      Easy gingerbread latte
    • slice of creamy lemon tiramisu on white plate topped with lemon curd
      Lemon Tiramisu with Lemon Curd
    • pumpkin chai latte in mug with star anise on top
      Pumpkin Spice Chai Latte
    • lemon brownies closeup of fudgy texture and lemon glaze
      Tangy Lemon Brownies

    Did you make this recipe? I would love for you to rate this recipe and hear what you think in the comments below! Share your creation on Instagram and tag @flouringkitchen. Follow me on Pinterest to save and for more recipe ideas.

    📖 Recipe

    lemon white hot chocolate with meringue topping

    Lemon Meringue White Hot Chocolate

    Mary
    This lemon white hot chocolate is creamy, zesty, lemon-ey, and has a fluffy toasted meringue topping! It’s warm, sweet, and refreshing - the perfect cozy winter drink for anyone who loves lemons. It has the components of a lemon meringue pie - creamy lemon white hot chocolate and a cloudy meringue topping. An egg yolk gets cooked in the hot chocolate, giving it a beautiful yellow color and adding richness. Takes under 15 minutes to make. Perfect for sipping through the winter, Christmas, and the holidays!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Shop Ingredients
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 15 minutes mins
    Course Breakfast, Christmas Drinks, Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 serving
    Calories 465 kcal

    Equipment

    • saucepan
    • electric mixer

    Ingredients
     
     

    • 1 large egg
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 lemon zested
    • ¼ cup white chocolate finely chopped (40g)
    • 1 tablespoon sugar for meringue
    Shop Ingredients on Jupiter

    Instructions
     

    • Separate the egg yolk and egg white. Set aside.
      1 large egg
    • Add the egg yolk into a small saucepan. Add grated lemon zest and whisk up to break up the yolk.
      1 lemon
    • Add the white chocolate and milk into the egg yolk mixture. Heat on medium heat, whisking frequently to prevent burning. Take it off the heat once very hot and steaming - just before it comes to a boil. If it forms a film on top, you can scoop or strain it out.
      ¼ cup white chocolate, 1 cup milk
    • Beat the egg white in a jar or glass with an electric whisk or mixer. I used a handheld electric mixer with only one attachment. Once foamy and soft, add sugar 1 teaspoon at a time and beat until it reaches stiff peaks.
      1 tablespoon sugar
    • Pour the hot chocolate into a mug. Top with the meringue. Torch the top with a kitchen torch to get it browned and toasty. If you put it under the broiler, make sure your mug is oven safe! Enjoy hot with a spoon on the side to help get through the meringue.

    Video

    Notes

    Make ahead and storage:
    Make the white hot chocolate (without the meringue topping) and store it in a thermos for up to a few hours until ready to drink. Perfect to bring on all of your winter adventures!
    I don't recommend making the meringue topping ahead of time because it deflates quickly. Omit it if you plan on making the hot chocolate ahead of time and bringing it with you in a thermos.
    Expert Tips: 
    • Don’t add lemon juice, the hot chocolate will curdle. 
    • Only broil if you have an oven safe mug. Otherwise it's safer to carefully use a torch to toast the meringue topping. 
    • Use good quality real white chocolate for the best white hot chocolate flavor. 
    • Use pasteurized eggs if you're worried about eating raw meringue. Or cook the meringue well under a broiler. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 465kcalCarbohydrates: 53gProtein: 17gFat: 23gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 200mgSodium: 187mgPotassium: 670mgFiber: 3gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 667IUVitamin C: 57mgCalcium: 419mgIron: 2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Hi, I'm Mary! This is where I share all of my baked treats. I use my massive sweet tooth and background in food science to make decadent, foolproof recipes.

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