Memorable Mocha Recipe Contest: Winners Selection And More! – CoffeeTalk

Last updated Dec 5, 2024

“When my Oma would take me grocery shopping as a child during the holiday season, one treat I always looked forward to was a box of soft, pillowy gingerbread cookies from Germany that were draped in a rich chocolate sauce flavored with anise,” wrote Oliver in the description of the winning recipe for German Gingerbread Mocha. “I was inspired by this contest to try recreating the flavor.”

FOR SPICED SYRUP

1 cup / 200g • Dark brown sugar
1 cup / 240ml • Water
2 Tbsp / 20g • Cinnamon sticks
2 tsp / 5g • Cloves, whole
2 tsp / 5g • Fresh ginger
2 tsp / 5g • Star anise
¼ tsp /1.4g • Cracked black pepper
Three • Bay leaves

FOR GERMAN GINGERBREAD MOCHA

1.5oz / 43g • Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder
0.5 fl. oz / 15ml • Spiced syrup
4 fl. oz / 118ml • Whole milk
2 fl. oz / 59ml • Espresso
Garnish (optional) • Ground cinnamon

Directions for Spiced Syrup

Stir water and sugar together in a small saucepan and bring to a simmer.
Add spices, reduce the heat to low, and stir occasionally until syrup thickens, about 10-15 minutes.
Strain into a jar and use immediately or refrigerate.

Directions for German Gingerbread Mocha

Combine Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder with espresso.
Add syrup to milk and froth.
Pour frothed milk into glass with espresso.
Garnish with a light dusting of cinnamon and enjoy!

“I thought a lot about being at my grandmother’s house when I was young,” writes Michael Crosby. “Her home was incredibly cozy, surrounded by lush gardens and greenery. The feeling of sitting in those gardens with her, smelling the flowers and sipping on tea, that’s what I think I was trying to make here.”

FOR LAVENDER WHIPPED CREAM

1 cup / 200g • White sugar
1 cup / 240ml • Water
2 Tbsp / 16g • Dried lavender buds
1 tsp / 5g • Lemon juice
QS • Whipped cream

FOR BLACK TEA MOCHA

1.5 oz / 43g • Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Cocoa Sweet Ground Powder
5 fl. oz / 148ml • Whole milk
3 fl. oz / 89ml • London Fog or black tea concentrate
Garnish (optional) • Lavender whipped cream, Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce, and rose petals

Directions for Lavender Whipped Cream

Combine sugar and water in a saucepan and bring to simmer.
Add dried lavender buds, stirring occasionally until mixture sticks to spoon. Turn off heat and allow mixture to steep overnight. Strain into a reusable container.
Mix lavender simple syrup with whipped cream to taste.

Directions for Black Tea Mocha

Steam milk with Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate & Cocoa Powder.
Pour black tea concentrate into mug, then pour steamed milk into mug.
Top with homemade lavender whipped cream.
Finish with an optional drizzle of Ghirardelli Chocolate Sauce and/or a sprinkle of dried rose petals.

“I love floral flavors and combining interesting ingredients,” says Shelbi Parker, who developed this recipe. “Ghirardelli’s White Chocolate Flavored Sweet Ground Powder was the right canvas for playing with different ideas. Its sweetness is balance be the spice of the ginger and the brulee topping adds a nice crunch to complement the creaminess.”

FOR ORANGE GINGER SUGAR

½ cup / 100g • White sugar
2 tsp / 10ml • Orange juice
½ tsp / 2g • Ground ginger
1/8 tsp / 0.5g • Salt
Zest of one • Orange

FOR GARDEN PARTY FOR TWO

2 oz / 62g • Ghirardelli White Chocolate Flavored Sweet Ground Powder
0.75 fl. oz / 22ml • Violet syrup
3.5 fl. oz / 100ml • Whole milk
1.5 fl. oz / 44ml • Heavy cream
0.15 oz / 4g • Orange ginger sugar
6 fl. oz / 177g • Espresso

Directions for Orange Ginger Sugar

Combine all ingredients in a food processor and pulse until combined.
Place wax paper on a cutting board and spread the sugar in a thin layer.
Let the sugar mixture dry at room temperature for at least an hour.
Crumble the sugar back into a powder and keep it in a tightly sealed jar.

Directions for Garden Party for Two

Combine Ghirardelli White Chocolate Flavored Sweet Ground Powder with milk and cream and steam.
Add violet syrup to milk mixture and whisk until foamy.
Pour 3 oz. espresso into two small cups, then pour steamed milk mixture into cups.
Top each with the orange ginger sugar and caramelize with a kitchen torch.
Share with your favorite person.

Source: Coffee Talk