Babish introduces the project of making the ultimate hot cocoa inspired by 'The Santa Clause'.

• The hot cocoa recipe is said to be 1200 years in the making.
• Babish commits to spending a long weekend perfecting it.

Babish selects a variety of chocolates and cocoa powders to use in the hot cocoa.

• Different types of chocolate and cocoa powders are gathered.
• Cocoa powders have varying flavors, from earthy and woody to light and fruity.

Babish creates a cocoa paste with heavy cream to prevent lumps.

• A couple of tablespoons of heavy cream are mixed with cocoa powders and sugars to make a paste.
• This technique ensures a lump-free hot cocoa.

Babish discusses the liquid base for the hot cocoa.

• A 50-50 mix of milk and heavy cream is used.
• The mixture is heated to not quite a simmer to prevent scalding.

Babish combines chocolate with the cocoa paste and seasons the mixture.

• Bittersweet chocolate is added to the heated liquid base.
• The cocoa paste, sugar, and optional vanilla extract and espresso powder are whisked in.
• The mixture is seasoned with kosher salt.

The first iteration of hot chocolate is American style, which is rich and decadent.

• The hot chocolate made is velvety and chocolatey but not up to the 1200-year standard.
• Babish decides to explore other methods for a richer result.

Babish tries the French method for making hot chocolate.

• A large amount of dark chocolate is used with the milk and cream base.
• This results in a very rich, thick hot chocolate.

The Italian method for hot chocolate involves using corn starch.

• Corn starch is added to the dry mix for thickness.
• The result is a pudding-like hot chocolate.

The Viennese method adds egg yolks for extra richness.

• Egg yolks are tempered with the hot chocolate mixture.
• This creates an ultra-rich hot chocolate with a creamy texture.

The ultimate hot cocoa recipe is achieved using a shaking method.

• Cocoa powder, sugar, chocolate wafers, and milk are shaken together.
• This creates a rich, thick, and aerated beverage, served in a replica mug from 'The Santa Clause'.