There is no more comforting and warming drink that a delicious glass of hot cocoa on a cold day. Whether you are used to making hot chocolate on a regular basis or have never tried the delicious beverage in the past, use this guide to learn how to master the art of the perfect hot chocolate, as well as how to mix it up with fun variations on the flavor that will truly warm the heart and soul.
Making the Perfect Cup of Hot Cocoa: Start by using roughly 10 ounces of liquid for each serving of hot cocoa, multiplying that by the amount of servings you wish to create. Milk is the preferred way to make hot cocoa, but the type of milk, whether skim or 1%, is entirely up to the drinker. Heat the liquid in a pot over the stove, being sure to let it heat slowly while you stir it. Don’t let the milk get to the stage of a rapid boil or develop a skin over the liquid. As the milk heats, add 3 tablespoons of sweetened cocoa powder to the mix for each serving. If you prefer, use equal parts sweetener like white sugar and unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir as the liquid and the powder mix thoroughly. Serve while warm and garnish with any extra you might like.
The Perfect Additions: There are several ways to decorate the classic class of hot cocoa to make it look even more appealing and spectacular. The classic accessory to a mug of hot cocoa is sweet marshmallows, which melt to add sweetness and richness to the hot drink. You might also want to present the mug of hot cocoa along with a spoon dipped in chocolate and left out to set. As you stir the hot cocoa with the spoon, the chocolate melts to add additional sweetness and to develop the cocoa flavors. Whipped cream, whether from a can or homemade is another wonderful alternative.
Making White Hot Cocoa: For a rich and luscious alternative to hot cocoa, consider making a white hot cocoa. Start by adding white chocolate chips and vanilla extract to the milk instead of the aforementioned cocoa powder. For an even richer glass, add half and half or whipping cream to the full glass once it is served.
Spicy Mayan Hot Cocoa: Mayan chocolate is unique in that it features a hint of spicy cayenne pepper. Make the classic hot cocoa but as you add in the cocoa powder, add in a hint of cinnamon and a dash of cayenne pepper for added flavor.
Erica Simone currently writes for Viamedic.com, an online facilitator for Viagra, Cialis and Levitra online. Erica uses her research scientist skills to cover and uncover big pharma news she shares on the Viamedic Health Articles Section.
