By: Sabrina Huda Sanchez

A cup of hot cocoa is a timeless nostalgic beverage that is usually enjoyed during the colder months of the year. A picture of a rainy or snowy day, a cozy blanket, and a warm mug of cocoa filled with mini marshmallows comes to mind when thinking of this chocolate drink. For such a simple drink, there are actually quite a few ways to enjoy it. We’ve compiled 4 hot cocoa recipes you’re sure to love! If you try any of them, be sure to take a picture and tag #lollicuprecipe on social media.

Classic Hot Cocoa Recipe
A classic cup of hot cocoa is quick and easy. With just two ingredients, you can make a traditional chocolatey drink that takes only a minute to prepare. We recommend the rich mix of Ghirardelli’s double chocolate powder. Check out this easy hot cocoa recipe:

Ingredients:
‧ 3 Tbs Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa Mix
‧ 8 oz Hot Water or Milk

Direction:
1. Add cocoa mix into a mug then pour hot water or milk in and stir until dissolved.
Serve with mini marshmallows or whip cream.

Creamier Cocoa
Water is always an option for making a hot cocoa recipe, but for those who like a creamier texture then milk is the way to go. In fact, whole milk is the best option. The more fat content, the more creamy your hot cocoa will turn out. For an added lightness, try a hand mix frother to froth the warm milk

Chocolatiness
For those that love a super chocolatey beverage, try increasing the amount of chocolate powder. The level of powder is advised by Ghirardelli but don’t let that stop you from making it your own!

Hot Chocolate Recipe from Scratch
Hot cocoa is a simpler preparation of hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is made from real chocolate bars or chips instead of a powder form. This method takes a few more ingredients and a few more steps but produces a more luscious creamy beverage. Here is hot chocolate from the scratch recipe:

Ingredients:
‧ 2 cups Pacific Original Almond Beverage (or regular milk)
‧ 2 Tbsp Sugar
‧ 1 cup Bittersweet Chocolate

Direction:
1. Add Almond milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat
2. Chop chocolate and place in a glass bowl then microwave for 30 seconds at a time. Stir before putting back in.
3. When there are tiny bubbles in the almond milk, turn off the heat and add the melted chocolate while whisking.
4. Serve in a mug with mini marshmallows or whip cream.

Choosing Your Chocolate
For the best hot chocolate, use bittersweet chocolate that is at least 60% cacao. Bittersweet chocolate contains less sugar but has a more intense chocolate flavor which is why the recipe calls for added sugar. Milk chocolate or white chocolate can also be used just be sure to reduce or eliminate the added sugar to avoid an overly sweet drink.

Frozen Hot Cocoa Recipe
Conventional cocoa is served hot, but what if you had a craving for the chocolatey goodness of hot cocoa on a hot day? You can take the same elements and blend it with ice to make a delicious cold version of everyone’s favorite chocolate drink! We prefer to use Hollander’s Dutch Cocoa which has natural vanilla flavor to sweeten it slightly. Try this frozen hot cocoa recipe:

Ingredients:
‧ 2 Tbs Hollander Sweet Ground Dutch Cocoa
‧ 6 oz milk (or milk substitute)
‧ 1/2 cup ice

Direction:
1. Add all the ingredients into a blender and blend until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and top with whip cream and chocolate sauce.

Order of Blending
There is a secret to blending that avoids clumps or splashes -- it’s the order you add the ingredients. You should always add liquid, ice, powder. By adding the powder on top of the ice, the ice gets coated and hugs the powder for the whirlwind ride which means fewer clumps of powder!

Flavored Hot Cocoa Recipe
Classic chocolate is always good, but it doesn’t mean that’s all there is. Chocolate pairs so well with many other flavors which can give your hot cocoa another level of taste. You can simply add a flavored syrup such as peanut butter, vanilla, raspberry, or caramel to your cocoa for your own special take. We are using Monin’s Mint syrup -- often used with chocolate flavors and it’s a match made in heaven! Let us know which flavored hot cocoa recipe you go with.

Ingredients:
‧ 3 Tbs Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa Mix
‧ 8 oz Hot Water or Milk
‧ 2 oz Monin Frosted Mint Syrup

Direction:
1. First add the cocoa powder to a mug then the hot water/milk and the syrup. Stir until diluted.
Serve with whip cream, chocolate shavings, and fresh mint leaf.

Did you try the recipe? Share your creation with us on Instagram and use #lollicuprecipe !

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