Venezuelan Spiced Hot Chocolate

Description
8 servings

Ingredients

 * ½ gallon milk
 * 3 whole star anise
 * 2 stick cinnamon
 * zest of one orange
 * 5 whole allspice berries
 * 2 tbsp brown sugar
 * 8 oz semisweet chocolate coarsely chopped
 * 1 cup aged dark rum

Directions

 * 1) Combine milk with spices and sugar in large heavy saucepan.
 * 2) Cook over medium heat, stirring to dissolve sugar, until milk just starts to bubble around the edges.
 * 3) Lower heat and cook 10 minutes.
 * 4) Remove from heat and allow to steep 10 additional minutes, then strain into another large heavy pot.
 * 5) Heat gently, then add chocolate and rum.
 * 6) Whisk briskly 5 minutes over low flame until chocolate is completely melted.