Chocolate Soda (With Homemade Chocolate Sauce!)

1. 1

   Place all ingredients in a 2-quart heavy-bottomed saucepan. Stirring frequently, bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat.

2. 2

   As soon as the mixture starts boiling, turn heat down to medium, add a candy thermometer and cook until temperature reads 234? Fahrenheit (no stirring!).

3. 3

   Remove pan from the heat and stir vigorously for one minute. **If you'e making a chocolate soda right away, spoon three tablespoons sauce into a pint-sized glass and stir in milk.** Immediately pour remaining chocolate into a heatproof container for storage. Don't scrape the pan, just use what pours out of its own accord. When it cools down, you can cover and refrigerate for several weeks. Leftovers are great for making hot chocolate!

4. 4

   If your chocolate has been stored in the refrigerator, heat the milk in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over lowest heat and add the now-hardened chocolate sauce. Heat just until chocolate has melted, stirring constantly. Pour into the bottom of a pint-sized glass.

5. 5

   Add ice cream and top with chilled seltzer. Enjoy!

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.