Jazz Up Your Hot Chocolate

 

Jazz Up Your Hot Chocolate

Cold weather still persists, and a warm mug of hot chocolate can soothe even the slightest of chills. If you're like me, hot chocolate is the go to beverage choice of winter. Sometimes however, I want more than marshmallows in my drink. Here's a list of different things to jazz up your hot chocolate in case you feel like sipping something just as spectacular!

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Chocolate Add a spoonful of Nutella to your hot chocolate as it heats. The melty goodness will blend and make a thick fudge like drink. Or go for white chocolate. Pour some white chocolate chips into the hot mug for divine sweetness overload!

Extract Extracts such as vanilla, almond, or fruit, aren't just for baking. They can bring a little flavor to your warm drink, ensuing a magical moment in your mouth!

Spice The taste of cinnamon fancies your mug of hot chocolate well. Try others too, such as a sprinkle of ginger or nutmeg, for example. Consider pumpkin spice and or a small scoop of canned pumpkin to delight your beverage experience!

Tea and Coffee Mix it up a bit with a tea bag. Steep a bag of chai tea for example, in your hot chocolate mug. Another option is coffee, in which, pouring in coffee or expresso instead of water or milk with the hot cocoa mix, is a tasty hack!

Zest Perhaps you want to awaken your senses. Try orange zest for a lovely touch! A good idea is adding a pinch of chili and cayenne powder along with the orange zest to your hot cocoa for the optimal flavor booster!

Syrup The sweet taste of caramel is a great addition to hot cocoa! Butterscotch or Dulce de Leche is a wonderful alternative, just as well. But my personal favorite is a spoonful of maple syrup. Yum!

Nut Butter Peanut butter can be quite savory when added to hot chocolate. There's also cookie butter, which is a Snickerdoodle cookie in a jar, perfect for a savory punch of flavor.

Mint If you like a sharp taste to your drink, consider mint flavoring or crushed up peppermint. The strikingly sharp flavor doesn't have to be seasonal but can be for every day.

Ice Cream

If you still love an icy beverage in the cold, here's the perfect solution for you! Add a scoopful of ice cream to your hot chocolate. Simple alternatives can be ice cubes or even coffee creamer.

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Sources: www.TasteOfHome.com