What Is the Correct Way to Make Hot Chocolate From a Mix?

Today is National Cocoa Day . . . and if you’re in the mood for hot chocolate, there are a lot of ways to make it, even if you’re using a mix.

poll asked people what they mix the hot chocolate powder into, and 41% said dairy milk.  31% said water . . . 8% said non-dairy milk (like almond, soy, rice, oat, and coconut “milk”) . . . and 2% said “other,” which is intriguing.  15% of the people surveyed claim they don’t make hot chocolate.

If you’re an over-achiever, here are some various hot chocolate “hacks” to try:

1.  Add two ounces of espresso, plus a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon.

2.  Using an oven-safe mug, top it with marshmallows, and put it under the broiler.

3.  Take the hot chocolate mix, and add:  A half-cup of pumpkin puree, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a quarter-cup of white chocolate chips.

4.  Stir your hot chocolate recipe with equal parts warmed eggnog.

5.  Drop a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a small bowl, then pour hot chocolate over it, along with a whipped cream topping.

6.  Make it SPICY with a half-teaspoon of ancho chile powder.  If you do this, consider also adding cinnamon, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract.