One of the best parts of the winter season is a nice warm mug of your favorite hot cocoa! This year, don't purchase pre-made mix when you can have a richer, more decadent treat made at home. An added bonus to making your own recipe, versus using the store-bought mix, is that it is actually much cheaper in cost!
Cocoa Au Lait ("cocoa with milk"): Instead of using whipped cream or marshmallows, use a scoop of your favorite vanilla bean ice cream.
Ginger: Add crystalized ginger to your cocoa and stir.
Kool Aid: Sounds strange, but it really tastes great! No need for expensive gourmet hot cocoa flavors when you can just as easily make your own. Popular flavors are strawberry, orange, cherry, and tropical punch!
Maple: Add just a few drops of maple extract
Mint: Just a drop of mint extract, or crushed hard peppermint candy, or use a peppermint stick to stir.
Orange: Just a drop of orange extract, or freshly grated orange zest!
Peanut Butter: Add 1 Tbsp. smooth peanut butter to your cup of hot cocoa.
Spiced Cocoa: Add a dash of cinnamon and a dash of nutmeg to you cup of cocoa. You can use a cinnamon stick to stir.
Vanilla: Add just a drop of vanilla extract or use fresh crushed vanilla bean.
Cute Garnishments:
Try cutting a slit into a marshmallow, York Peppermint Patty, or piece of fruit of your choice and place on the rim of your cup.
Add a peppermint stick as a stirrer.
Add a cinnamon stick as a stirrer.
Wet just the rim of the cup by turning it upside down in a bowl of water, then dip the rim in either powdered sugar or turbinado sugar (Sugar in the Raw).
