Sometimes a mug of hot cocoa is exactly what you need for a cold afternoon with a book, after cross-country skiing, or when you’re curled up in front of the fire with family or friends. It’s warm, comforting, and sweet. But it could get a little boring. Time for an upgrade. That doesn’t mean you’ve got to hand-grate imported chocolate into goat milk you milked yourself that is heating in a special copper pot over the fire, though. Try some of these fun and easy twists to make your hot cocoa an experience.
Spicy Sipping
Chocolate and warm woodsy spices like cinnamon and nutmeg pair together well, so sprinkle a little in your mug next time. Add some ginger, cloves and a tablespoon of molasses to make it a gingerbread drink. Drop in a cinnamon stick, or poke it into your whipped cream. If you like hot flavors, pep things up with a dash of cayenne pepper and cinnamon to make Mexican hot cocoa.
Coconutty Cup
Swap out the milk or water you normally make hot chocolate with and use coconut milk instead. You’ll get a subtle added flavor. To fancy things up a bit, dampen the rim of your mug and dip it in toasted coconut flakes.
Malted Milk Chocolate
This is the hot version of a malted shake for a cold day. Buy malted milk powder in the baking aisle. Stir in a tablespoon of the powder when you make your hot cocoa. Serve in a tall skinny mug and drink it through a straw.
Cookies and Cream Creation
For an over-the-top treat, finely crush a chocolate sandwich cookie and stir it into your drink. Instead of whipped cream, float a tablespoon or two of vanilla ice cream on top and drizzle with chocolate sauce.
Fluffy Fantasy
Instead of marshmallows, top your drink with a scoop of marshmallow fluff and drizzle with caramel sauce. The fluff will slowly melt into the drink for a gooey confection.