We recently tried Dagoba's hot chocolate, which includes a healthy dose of hot pepper. It's excellent!
http://www.dagobachocolate.com/

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This is both easier than all the others, and better because it uses real chocolate.

Nuke two thirds of a mug full of water until it is hot enough to melt chocolate. Throw in your choice of chocolate morsels--Hershey's, Nestles, Guittard, Valhrona--you pick. Stir until the chocolate is melted. Add two oz of half and half. More if you feel decadent. Or heavy cream. Okay, you're done. Three ingredients, one container and one stirring implement, and two minutes max.

Now, you can drink it right there, and if you have kids, you should. It should be just the right temperature to drink. The chocolate morsels have vanilla and salt, plus real cocoa butter, so you shouldn't need butter or marshmallows. Your choice. You can also make it in the blender, which gives it an amazing foam.

I like to add just a hint of ouzo or raki, which perks up the flavor like vanilla. I also like to add a couple of oz of rye whiskey, but that's another night. Peppermint schnapps, Irish cream liquor, Godiva dark or light, coffee or Kahlua. Tart it up however you like for your loved one on cold late nights.

Cocoa powder just doesn't taste nearly as good.

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Oh, I highly recommend taking the effort to make your own marshmallows, at least once. I've used Ina Garten's recipe and it's not only simple, but they are amazing. It's semi-time consuming, but only in getting the proper temperatures.

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Alton Brown has a recipe for a hot cocoa powder that also includes a healthy dash of cayenne. I was skeptical, but it was the best cup of cocoa I'd ever tasted.

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Hot chocolate with a shot of Van Gogh Espresso Vodka is my latest fave.

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Call me old fashioned but the best hot cocoa is the one that was on the hersheys powdered cocoa can. So rich and delcious and simple! dont know why people like to buy those packets of cocoa. Went to a christmas tree lightening festival one year and they served it for free to all, which made that cold night very special. SOmething about eating outdoors that makes it taste scrumptous!

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How about a cup made with Ghirardelli double chocolate cocoa and an ounce of Lemon Hart 151? Very cozy. Be careful, that 151 is full strength rum, twice as much alcohol as normal rum.

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I think it's funny how people keep claiming we had an "oddly warm" october. Get used to it! The weather pattern you're used to in New England is a thing of the past - climate change has arrived and the "oddly warm" weather we had this year will seem extremely cool 10 years from now. I wish people would wake up and smell the coffee (hot chocolate?). Climate change is happening NOW.

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Ignoring the comments about global warming...(since they are ignoring normal weather patterns, the normal patterns of the earth around the sun, etc.).

But anyway -- back to hot chocolate.....

Add some Bailey's Irish Cream (Creme?) It makes even those packets taste good!

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well thank you very much, I just had some last night :) and yes.. mexican.. but the more "traditional" just milk and some abuelita chocolate, or was it Ibarra? oh well it was damn good

http://www.lavacahacemu.com

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I recently attended Coffee Fest in Seatle and tasted the best hot chocolate I've had in a very long time. It was thick & rich and tasted like it had a nice blend of different chocolates. Mary's Decadent Hot Chocolate. They have a website marysdecadenthotchocolate.com if you are interested.

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The Tyler Florence recipe is fantastic .. and packaged up in single serving packages with a couple of marshallows, it makes a great gift.

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Nice post. Haven't seen anything on hot chocolate mixed with cocoa. Here is a good recipe-

BRU Coffee Mocha

Mix one cup water and 1/3 cup milk in the microwave for 1 min 45 sec.

When removed from microwave, add 2 1/2 -3 tablespoons any brand of SWEETENED
(not bitter) hot chocolate mix. Mix then add 2-3 teaspoons of BRU instant
coffee (or you can substitute your favorite instant coffee brand) and stir. No need to add sugar as the hot chocolate has sugar in it.
More or less of hot chocolate mix can be added as per your sweet tooth.

ENJOY!

1-2 servings.

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When I was in Melbourne I enjoyed chocolate at Hot Chocolate Cafe at Waterfront City, Docklands, Melbourne.
I had Deluxe Hot Chocolate-Chocolate Coconut Dream with Chocolate Molten Pudding.

http://journeytomakemoney.blogspot.com

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