What is it that I really want?

All that I want is a well-read, well-travelled, fully-lived experience, with lots of love and friendship and really good food.

it’s a snowy friday morning in nyc. i’ve been sick all week and this is a perfect blood-warming treat while nestled indoors. i made this mix for friends as holiday gifts and they were a big hit!

this spicy hot chocolate mix features a hot trio of cinnamon, ginger and cayenne pepper for a very easy to make and oh so delicious winter drink. if you don’t have cocoa powder, spruce up boring pre-made hot cocoa mix. and when making the drink, sub soy, almond, or coconut milk for cow’s milk for a yummy vegan alternative.

scroll down for two easy-peasy garnishes: spiced honey whipped cream and chocolate dipped stirring sticks. happy snow day!

HOT HOT COCOA MIX
ingredients:

• 2 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup cane sugar
• 2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground ginger
• 1 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1 tsp ground red (cayenne) pepper
• a pinch of sea salt
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
• a pinch ground cardamom (optional)
• a pinch ground cloves (optional)

• 1 cup whole milk (or vegan alternative, like soy, almond or coconut milk)

directions:
 combine and thoroughly mix ingredients in a bowl. store in airtight container.

for hot cocoa, stir two tbsp in 1 cup of hot milk. enjoy with the following garnishes:

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SPICED HONEY WHIPPED CREAM
ingredients: 

• 1 cup heavy cream
• 3 tbsp honey
• 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 

directions:
in a bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form. add spices and vanilla. whip thoroughly and dollop over hot cocoa. enjoy!

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CHOCOLATE DIPPED STIRRING STICKS
ingredients:

• whole cinnamon sticks (alternatively, use candy canes or spoons)
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips

directions:
melt chocolate in microwave. in a bowl, coat stirring end of cinnamon sticks in melted chocolate (for subtler taste, try drizzling chocolate on stirrers instead). allow to harden and get to stirring. enjoy!