I Love Hot Chocolate!

When I drink a cup of coco, I am magically transformed back into my childhood. Drinking hot chocolate following an exhausting day of sledding or ice skating. Cheeks rosy, fingers and toes stiff and cold, and freezing and sweating simultaneously. I waited all winter for days like this, snow days.

This winter, although it hasn't snowed much, I'm still drinking plenty of hot chocolate.  Here are a list of items to add to Hot Chocolate to make it even more fabulous.  Feel free to share any ideas that you have.

Picture found on Pinterest

Start with a cup for your favorite Hot Chocolate* then add:

Frozen Hot Chocolate:  Add Ice and Hot Chocolate to a blender and mix (on high speed) to the consistency of a frozen daiquiri. Pour into a giant goblet and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Hot Chocolate Float: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream. Flavors such as Vanilla, Chocolate, Coffee, Mint Chocolate Chip, Fudge Brownie are fantastic but really any flavor do.

Mint Hot Chocolate: Float add sprig of fresh mint and use any Mint flavored Ice Cream. Or use a Candy Cane to stir your Hot Chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Sundae: Top Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream then add your favorite Sundae Toppings. Hot Fudge, Raspberry Sauce, Butterscotch, Peanut Butter, Strawberry Syrup, Caramel,  Marshmallow Cream,  Whip Cream, Cool Whip, Sprinkles, Candy Pieces, Cookies, Brownies...

More Chocolate: Stir in or top your Hot Chocolate with even more Chocolate. Such as Chocolate Chips, Chocolate Shavings, Chocolate Sprinkles, Chocolate Sauces, Chocolate Candy, Chocolate Milk, Nutella,  Dark Chocolate, White Chocolate

Milks and Creamers: Whole, Skim, Soy, Steamed, Heavy Cream, Half & Half, Malted Milk Powder.

Flavored Dairy Creamers such as French Vanilla, Cafe Latte, Peppermint, Mocha, Crème  Brulee , Hazelnut, Coconut Cream...(found next to the milk at the grocery store)

Coffee and Espresso: Instant or fresh brewed.  Play with the ratio between the Hot Chocolate and Coffee.  

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate: Steamed milk, Mocha Sauce, Toffee Nut and Vanilla Syrups, topped with sweetened Whipped Cream, Caramel Sauce and a mixture of Turbinado Sugar and Sea Salt. (recipe taken from Starbucks)

Mexican Hot Chocolate:  Mix Hot Chocolate with a pinch of ground Chipotle Chili Pepper and a pinch of Ground Cinnamon.  Top with Whipped Cream and sprinkle with a little Chipotle Chili Pepper and Ground Cinnamon.

Also Try: Nutmeg, Vanilla, Ground Chili Pepper, Cayenne Pepper, Brown Sugar, Mable Syrup, Toasted Marshmallows (broil Marshmallows in the broiler (30 seconds) or campfire until they are golden brown.)

Alcohol:

Cinnamon, Butterscotch, and Peppermint Schnapps, Kahlua, Bourbon, Vodka, Flavored Vodka such as Whip Cream flavored Vodka, Whisky, Brandy, Baileys...

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Frozen Hot Chocolate Martini

Ingredients

Makes: 4 servings

4 (1-ounce) envelopes hot cocoa mix, divided use

3 cups milk

3/4 cup vanilla vodka

¼ cup Mini marshmallows, for garnish

Directions

Empty 1 envelope hot cocoa mix onto a saucer. Put some water onto another saucer. Dip the rims of 4 martini glasses into the water and shake off any excess. Dip them in the hot cocoa mix. (Save the remainder for garnish.)

In a blender, combine remaining hot cocoa mix, milk, vodka and 6 cups ice and blend until smooth. Divide the mixture among the prepared glasses and garnish with the marshmallows and remaining cocoa mixture.

Best Ever Hot Chocolate

Sandra Lee: Semi Homemade

Ingredients

Makes: 2 drinks

1 cup half-and-half

1⁄4 cup milk chocolate chips

1⁄4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

11⁄2 ounces vanilla flavored vodka, Smirnoff

Directions

In a saucepan, combine half-and-half, chocolate chips, and cinnamon. Heat over medium heat for 5 minutes or until chocolate is melted, stirring frequently. (Do not boil.) Pour into mugs.Stir in vodka.

*Any variety of Hot Chocolate including store bought powered mixes and homemade varieties. Adjusting the original Hot Chocolate recipe may be necessary when adding additional liquid to your beverage.  

I had a great time experimenting with Hot Chocolate. There are so many different ways to personalize it to your own taste. Have fun!

Final Tips 

The larger the mug, the more "toppings" you can add to your Hot Chocolate.

Powered Hot Chocolate Mixes can be brewed in your automatic drip coffee maker. Usually one envelop of Hot Chocolate = one cup water. Refer back to the package for exact ratio. Great idea for holiday parties or larger families.

Please Drink Responsibly