Indians love to spice things up and that includes anything sweet. I discovered this drink on the coast of Mumbai, where there were plenty of eateries serving spicy milkshakes and chilli-flavoured ice cream, which believe me are an acquired taste! The combination of cold and chilli-hot sensations makes sense because if you need to kill the heat of a spicy dish you drink milk or eat yogurt.

Picture by Jason Lowe

Serves 2

50g (1¾oz) 70% dark chocolate

10 tsp single cream

10 tsp full-fat milk

50g (1¾oz) drinking chocolate powder

¼ tsp ground cinnamon

30g (1oz) demerara sugar

1 dried medium red chilli, stalk removed

Chilli flakes, to serve

Preparation:

Break the chocolate into small pieces and place in a small heavy-based pan with all the other ingredients. Simmer gently for 5 minutes, whisking occasionally, until the chocolate has dissolved. Strain the mixture through a nylon sieve and serve immediately in small espresso cups sprinkled with a few chilli flakes and chocolate gratings.