Zacry's
Fusing international influence with local produce, a three-course menu showcasing the best of the season.
Zacry's restaurant
Origins of the Extreme Hot Chocolate and recipe
There’s nothing like holding a mug of hot chocolate in your hands warming up from being in the sea. For over 20 years, the Extreme Hot Chocolate has been an integral part of the Watergate Bay experience. We take a closer look and share the recipe for a new heart-warmer.
Book at table in The Beach Hut.
Mountains, beach or city ice rink; post-hike, surf or laps – hot chocolate has become synonymous with warming body and rewarding spirits after exertion in the cold.
It hasn’t always been this way. The warm, sweet drink we know and love has evolved from colder, spicier origins: the Mayans used to drink xocolatl (bitter water) made with crushed cocoa beans, cornmeal and chilli pepper. By the 17th and 18th centuries, it had made its way to London’s expensive hot chocolate houses, where wealthy socialites enjoyed it warm, with the addition of sugar and milk.
History of the Extreme Hot Chocolate
When Henry Ashworth opened the Extreme Academy at Watergate Bay in 1999, he created the Extreme Hot Chocolate – which became an instant hit with surfers and kitesurfers straight from the sea, dog walkers, and families coming to the Bay for a blast of fresh air in the autumn and winter months.
It’s what the Beach Hut is famous for
— Christina Knight
“It’s what the Beach Hut is famous for,” says Christina Knight, Watergate Bay’s F&B operations manager. “I used to run the Beach Hut, and would see the same faces coming to Watergate Bay each year; see the children growing up, but they’d always ask for them each time they came on holiday, ‘Do you still do the Extreme Hot Chocolates?’
“We’ve changed the recipe ever so slightly, but it hasn’t lost the excitement,” Christina continues, explaining how today’s Mint Extreme Hot Chocolate includes UHT cream, mint chocolate discs and cream mint coins on top. “I think everyone looks forward to a hot chocolate, with squirty cream and some special extras on top.”
Almost a generation later, the Extreme Hot Chocolate lives on. While The Beach Hut’s hot chocolate menu has evolved around the idea of making hot chocolate a dessert (think Tiramisu or Black Forest Gateau – see below), this enduring classic is still ready and waiting once hat, gloves or wetsuit are off.
Black Forest Gateau Hot Chocolate
250ml milk of your choice
25g chocolate powder
25g UHT aerosol cream
25ml cherry liqueur
25g dark chocolate sauce
3 cherries
Method
Heat the milk, add chocolate powder and stir well making sure the chocolate has melted
Pour the cherry liqueur into your favourite mug, followed by the hot chocolate.
Swirl cream on top, finish by drizzling dark chocolate sauce over the cream, top with cherries.
Discover our restaurants
Here to dine, or barefoot from the beach? Choose from three different eating and drinking spots.
The Living Space
Sofa, armchair, banquette or ocean-view terrace? Antipasti plates, seasonal salad or hearty fillers?
More details
The Beach Hut
Laid-back, breezy and modern, The Beach Hut blends considered food and a warm welcome.
More detailsDiscover more
Twelve drinks of Christmas 2024
This year’s Twelve Drinks of Christmas menu serves up a sparkling flavour of the Bay. Find out more.
Read moreIntroducing Watergate Bay x Loveday Gin
Bracing dips. Refreshing clifftop walks. Sun-warmed siestas. Mellow golden hours. Bright and zesty, our limited edition Watergate Bay Hotel gin created by award-winning Cornish craft spirit makers, Loveday, distils the essence of the Bay in every sip.
Read moreGood food, well earned
We speak to three nutrition and exercise experts to find out the relationship between getting active outdoors and good food, including ten top tips.
Read moreAtlantic Christmas pudding cocktail recipe
The Christmas pudding in this cocktail comes from the Atlantic distillery. Follow the recipe here.
Read moreHelford blue, spring onion & thyme tart recipe
Straight out of Emily Scott's new cookbook get the recipe for this salad onion, leek and creme fraiche tart with thyme and Cornish Helford blue cheese. Discover the recipe.
Read moreSophie Allport's top 10 tips for a Cornish beach picnic
Laying on a blanket, sipping an ice-cold drink, and eating your way through your favourite foods. Read Sophie Allport's top 10 picnic tips.
Read moreBe the first to know
We'd love to keep in touch and send you the latest news, events, competitions and offers from the Bay. Sign up to receive our e-newsletter.