Cozy Up With This Delicious Hot Chocolate

One of my favorite memories from childhood is playing outside on a cool crisp day until it got completely dark. I would hear my mom yell for me to come inside and I knew what was waiting-a cup of hot chocolate in my favorite mug. Of course, the cup of hot chocolate would be filled to the top with mini marshmallows. I would eat all the marshmallows first then dive into the creamy, smooth, delicious hot chocolate. It was just what was needed to warm me up! What wonderful memories! Today, when I get a whiff of the wonderful concoction, I have a warm sensation come over me with childhood memories of my Mother whipping up a batch of my favorite hot chocolate treat for me and my brother on a cool day! With a little arm twisting, my Mom still makes me hot chocolate when I go for a visit. She taught me how to make it from scratch and I want to share that recipe with y’all.

But first, where does chocolate come from?

We can thank the Mayans and the Aztec cultures for this wonderful drink. Both cultures enjoyed the caffeinated kick and used the beans as currency to buy food. The Mayans added chili peppers and honey to their chocolate drinks. It wasn’t until many years later when chocolate was introduced into Europe that it became what it is today. Chocolate found its way to the US on a Spanish ship in 1641 according to The History Channel. Forty years later in 1682, the first American chocolate house opened in Boston and by 1773 chocolate was enjoyed by everyone.

Chocolate is made from the fruit of cacao trees, which are native to Central and South America. The fruits are called pods and each pod contains around 40 cacao beans. The beans are dried and roasted to create cocoa beans. In 1828, a Dutch chemist, Coenraad van Houten discovered a way to treat the beans with alkaline salts to make a powdered chocolate which made it easier to mix with water. This process became known as “Dutch processing” and it’s why you see cacao powder called “Dutch cocoa.” van Houten also discovered the cocoa press which led to cocoa butter and what we all now know as chocolate (without the sugar!) The 19th century is when milk replaced water and sugar was added. During the 19th century, chocolate was refined and companies, such as Nestle, Lindt. Cadbury, Hersey, started producing a variety of chocolate products from powders to candy bars to hot chocolate.

Making the perfect cup of hot chocolate begins with selecting the best chocolate and cocoa powder. Here is the recipe for making the perfect cup of hot chocolate.

Hot Chocolate Recipe

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups whole milk
• 2 tbsp sugar, more depending on your taste
• 4 oz bittersweet chocolate, chopped (about one cup)
• splash of vanilla extract, optional
• whipped cream, optional
• marshmallows, optional

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Combine milk and sugar in a small saucepan and place on the stovetop over medium heat. Do not let the milk boil!
2. While the milk is heating, place the chopped chocolate in the microwave and heat in 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until almost melted. Do not let it over melt or the chocolate will become grainy.
3. When the milk reaches the scalding point (180 degrees F, with bubbles on the side), turn off the heat and add the melted chocolate, whisking to combine. Add the vanilla extract now, if desired.
4. Pour into your favorite mug, top with whipped cream or marshmallows and enjoy!

Hot Chocolate Alternatives

If you want to try a little something different, here are some ideas:

• Swap the vanilla for some peppermint extract.
• Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and 1/16 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper to the milk before heating - this makes the warm Mexican Hot Chocolate.
• You can also use other types of chocolate than the bittersweet, such as milk, semisweet, white, or even Ruby. You will need to adjust the sugar as these chocolates have more sugar.

One of the perks of being an adult is being able to drink the childhood favorite with a little kick!

Chocolate pairs well with many different types of alcohol for an alternative adult version of Hot Chocolate.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of hot chocolate
• 1/2 - 3/4 oz. Kahlua coffee liqueur
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate syrup

INSTRUCTIONS

After making the hot chocolate, add the liqueur and top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.

There are many more options to choose from to amp up hot chocolate, here are a few more ideas:

• Amaretto - This delicious almond-flavored liqueur pairs great with chocolate.
• Peppermint Schnapps - chocolate + peppermint is a classic holiday pairing.
• Raspberry - Raspberry liqueur adds brightness to the chocolate.
• Bailey's Irish Cream - This is a classic addition to hot chocolate.
• Caramel Vodka: add a little drizzle of caramel on top of whipped cream for a real treat.

Of course you can add your favorite alcohol and create something totally new! Give it a try and let us know how you amped up the drink!

By Tammy Lovvorn