A cascade of rich, dark chocolate, a dash of condensed milk, and a sprinkle of evaporated milk mingle with a mountain of crushed ice, crafting the essence of the amazing iced cocoa.
This drink has quenched thirst and brought joy to countless individuals in the street markets of the Philippines and Thailand.
Our host’s “Ama”, her 65-year-old grandmother, has been crafting this decadent beverage for over 40.
She’s turned a simple recipe into a beloved drink and a thriving business, all with a perfect blend of simplicity, quality ingredients, and a dash of entrepreneurial spirit.
The allure of Ama’s iced cocoa lies in its simplicity and the unpretentiousness of its ingredients.
Dark chocolate, condensed milk, and evaporated milk. That’s it.
However, it’s the meticulous balance and the method of preparation that transform these everyday ingredients into a beverage that has people queuing up in the bustling street markets.
Ama’s recipe is straightforward, yet crafted with a precision that ensures each sip is a perfect blend of sweetness, richness, and refreshing coolness.
Crafting the delightful drink begins with creating a thick, sticky chocolate topping.
A generous 2.65 ounces of dark chocolate powder mixes with a dash of hot water and a full can of condensed milk.
The trick is to leave tiny, undissolved lumps of cocoa, providing unexpected bursts of chocolatey goodness with each sip.
This enhances the overall experience of the drink and adds a playful element to each cup.
Achieving the desired thickness and stickiness of Ama’s chocolate mixture doesn’t rely solely on condensed milk.
The key is in the generous use of cocoa powder carefully balanced with condensed milk.
A bit of evaporated milk is added with an experienced eye to ensure the mixture is pourable yet maintains its rich, viscous quality, without adhering to strict measurements.
The assembly of the drink is an art in itself.
A liter cup (32 oz) is filled with crushed ice, leaving just enough space for the chocolate topping.
Ama uses one whole can of the chocolate mixture per drink, ensuring a generous serving that promises a luxuriously chocolatey experience with every sip.
The mixture, approximately 8.5 to 10 fluid ounces, is poured over the ice, creating a visually stunning layer of thick chocolate atop the ice.
Evaporated milk is then added, approximately half a cup, creating a beautiful contrast and adding a creamy element to the drink.
The sticky chocolate topping, while thick, slowly integrates with the evaporated milk and ice as you sip, gradually altering the flavor profile of the beverage as the elements meld together.
The first sips give you the intense, rich flavor of the chocolate, which slowly blends with the creamy, cool milk and ice as you continue to indulge.
This iced cocoa truly is nothing short of amazing.
The resulting drink offers a perfect balance that tantalizes the taste buds without being overwhelmingly sweet.
The initial taste of the thick topping is a pure, unadulterated chocolate experience.
As it slowly mingles with the evaporated milk and ice, the sweetness is subtly introduced, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that is both refreshing and indulgently satisfying.
Ama’s amazing iced cocoa is more than a drink.
It’s a sweet symphony of classic flavors and a nod to the nostalgic sweetness of childhood.
Selling approximately 100 cups per day, Ama has turned a humble beverage into a thriving business, providing a delightful treat to her community.
Her story inspires, showcasing that with the right product, a dash of business acumen, and a sprinkle of passion, success is not only possible but can be incredibly sweet.
Whether sipped on a sweltering summer day in a bustling market or enjoyed as a special treat during a moment of respite, the amazing iced cocoa offers more than a beverage.
It’s a sip of sweet success, pure indulgence, and a timeless classic that continues to bring smiles to faces, young and old alike. In other words, it’s simply joy in a cup.
See how easily this delicious iced cocoa comes together in the video below!
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