6 Ways to Jazz Up Regular Ol' Hot Chocolate
Some of the best hot cocoa mix-ins are also the most surprising.
On frigid winter days when you’re chilled to the bone, hot chocolate is a classic remedy that’s quick and easy to make. Chocolate, sugar, and a little bit of salt (trust us) combined with steaming milk are all it takes to keep you warm and cozy this season. If you’re looking to bump up the flavor on your next mug of hot chocolate, try any of these fun mix-ins.
Tahini (above)
Though it’s often used in savory preparations, tahini gives hot chocolate a unique nutty flavor and creamy finish. Molly Yeh’s Tahini Hot Chocolate can easily be prepared by heating all the ingredients together in a microwave or double boiler over the stove. Or skip the milk, and just spread the tahini and chocolate on some toast!
Food Stylist: Brett Kurzweil
Warming Spices
This recipe will coax the chilliness out of your in a flash. Food Network Kitchen’s Spiced Hot Cocoa with cardamom and black pepper (yes, you read that right!) round outs the sweetness of the drink with a bit of heat.
Raspberry
Raspberry and chocolate are one of those winning combinations that stand the test of time. This recipe for White Cocoa with Raspberry Swirl from The Kitchen calls for drizzling raspberry sauce into your mug, and for that extra flavor boost, some freeze-dried raspberries get added on top.
Jason DeCrow, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Peppermint
Whether you make your own hot cocoa from scratch or use your favorite store-bought mix, you can easily boost the flavor by adding peppermint. Geoffrey Zakarian’s recipe calls for double the flavor by adding peppermint schnapps for a boozy kick and crushed peppermint candies sprinkled on top.
Renee Comet, 2015, Television Food Network, G.P. All Rights Reserved
Orange Liqueur
White chocolate doesn’t have to be second-best to milk or dark chocolate. This recipe for White Hot Chocolate 2 Ways makes white chocolate shine even brighter with orange liqueur as a mix-in. What's the second way, you ask? Coffee liqueur! It will turn your white hot chocolate into a drink resembling a White Russian.
Hazelnut
For a totally indulgent twist on the classic, try Sunny Anderson’s Hot Chocolate Hazelnut Mudslide. In addition to toasted hazelnuts and hazelnut-flavored creamer, this decadent drink has a bit of whiskey as well as crushed chocolate cookies and hot fudge.
Related Links:
