During the holidays, my typical go-to drink is peppermint hot chocolate. Starbucks has a delicious version, especially when served in the red cups. However, when I can’t make it to a coffee shop or it’s late at night and I want to pop in a movie and have something warm to sip on, this recipe (below) is a great alternative. If you don’t like your cocoa too chocolate-y, simply add more milk. You can play around with this recipe since it is only milk, chocolate, and peppermint. Not terribly complex but a good know-how, nonetheless. Enjoy!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:
· 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
· 6 cups of milk (any kind)
· 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips
· 6 peppermint sticks; 3 crushed, 3 for stirring
· 1 pinch of salt

Instructions:
1. Add milk in saucepan over low to medium heat – you don’t want to have the heat too high and risk burning the milk
2. Add the unsweetened cocoa powder to the warm milk and whisk until dissolved
3. Add semi-sweet chocolate chips and crushed peppermint to the saucepan
4. Stir and let heat for 10 minutes over medium heat
5. Serve with marshmallows, whipped cream, and a peppermint stick

• • •

{Photos by Lauren}