Do you love chocolate? This simple-to-make, deliciously rich hot cocoa beverage will warm you up after a day of outdoor winter activities.

Ingredients:

  • 3 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • 2 tbsp water
  • 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, oat milk, or other milk of choice
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon
  • Peppermint or cinnamon sticks, marshmallows, and chocolate sprinkles for topping
Hot Chocolate Beverage Ingredients
Hot Chocolate Beverage Stirred
Instructions:
  1. In a 3-quart saucepan, add the cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, and water. Whisk ingredients to combine.
  2. Whisk the cocoa mixture over medium-high heat until the sugar has dissolved, then lower the temperature to medium-low heat.
  3. Add your milk of choice, whisking to fully incorporate all the ingredients, and heat to the desired temperature without boiling.
  4. Add vanilla extract and beat with a wire whisk until the hot cocoa is frothy.
  5. Pour into two mugs.  For a festive look, add a peppermint or a cinnamon stick, or two to three marshmallows topped with chocolate sprinkles.
  6. For a delightful adult libation: add 1 ounce of Kahlua (coffee flavor liquor) or Disaronno (amaretto liquor) to your hot cocoa beverage. Stir and add whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles to each mug. 
Yvonne Dwyer OPL Master Naturalist and OPL Content Contributor

Recipe compliments of OPL Master Naturalist and Home Chef Yvonne Dwyer

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