Ingredients
Drink
- 40 mldark rum or brandy
- 200 mlwhole milk
- 3 tbspdrinking chocolate or 40 g dark chocolate
- 1 tspsugar, to taste
To finish
- whipped cream
- grated chocolate or cocoa
Optional
- a pinch of cinnamon
- a strip of orange peel
Directions
- Heat the milk gently in a pan until steaming but nowhere near boiling. Never boil the milk.
- Whisk in the drinking chocolate, or finely chopped dark chocolate, until completely dissolved and smooth. If using real chocolate, chop it small and add it off the heat, whisking until it melts into the milk.
- Add the spirit last and away from the heat. Alcohol boils off at around 78°C (172°F), which is below the temperature of hot milk, so anything added early simply evaporates.
- Pour into a warmed heatproof glass or a mug.
- Top with whipped cream and grate chocolate over.
- Serve immediately, without stirring the cream in. Drinking it through the cold cream is the point, in the same way as an Irish coffee.
Technique
- It is sometimes made with brandy or amaretto in place of rum.
- Tote is another regional name for the same drink, used partly to avoid the original.
- It is served in a tall glass with a handle at markets.
Substitutions
- Brandy, amaretto or coffee liqueur in place of rum.
- Oat or almond milk, which both work well with dark chocolate.
Variations
- With a shot of espresso added.
- With orange peel infused into the milk.
- Made with white chocolate.
History
A German winter market drink named after Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, also called Tote Tante on the coast.
Frequently asked questions
What is Lumumba?
Lumumba is a cocktail from Germany: hot chocolate laced with brown rum and topped with cream. A German winter market drink named after Congolese leader Patrice Lumumba, also called Tote Tante on the coast.
How long does Lumumba take to make?
Lumumba takes 5 min of preparation and 5 min of cooking. The recipe makes 1 drink. It is rated easy to make.
What can I substitute in Lumumba?
Yes, within limits. Brandy, amaretto or coffee liqueur in place of rum. Oat or almond milk, which both work well with dark chocolate.
What is the most important thing to get right in Lumumba?
Heat the milk gently in a pan until steaming but nowhere near boiling. Never boil the milk.
