The Thanksgiving season has come to an end, and while the fall decor and delicious food will surely be missed, a new and exciting time is officially upon us: the winter holiday season! With the colder days and longer nights, hot chocolate is a classic wintery treat to warm you right up! Enjoyed across many cultures, hot chocolate is a nostalgic, cozy drink that almost everyone is guaranteed to enjoy. 

*Recipe makes 2 servings

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups of milk (any plant based alternative is fine)

4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

3 tablespoons of dark brown sugar

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon of vanilla extract

1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon of cloves

2-3 slices of orange rind (approximately ¼ inch thickness per slice)

Pinch of salt

DIRECTIONS:

STEP 1 – Infuse and heat the milk

Add milk, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, vanilla, and orange slices to a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium or low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from burning.

STEP 2 – Stir in the dry ingredients

Once you reach a gentle simmer, add in cocoa powder, brown sugar, and salt. You may want to sift the cocoa powder in to avoid lumps. Stir well to combine. *You can adjust the sugar and cocoa powder amounts according to your preference.

STEP 3 – Strain and serve

Once everything is combined, take the drink off of the heat and pour into a mug using a strainer to remove all spices and orange slices. Optionally, top with marshmallows and/or whipped cream for a classic garnish. *You may add extra hot milk or hot water to thin out the consistency if desired.

STEP 4 – Serve warm and enjoy!