When I wrote about coffee in early November, I mentioned that my original hot beverage of choice was hot chocolate.
A cup of hot chocolate (with mini marshmallows, of course) has been my lifelong favorite version of a chocolate fix. As a kid, I treated myself to a Hostess Ho-Ho. I had a Three Musketeer phase. I had a lark with mint chocolate chip ice cream. But nothing's been as steadfast as my love for hot chocolate.
Growing up, my go-to cup of hot chocolate was courtesy of Swiss Miss. I was never into the packets that included marshmallows in that dusty mix. Straight hot chocolate for me. In college, I found Land O Lakes hot chocolate mixes in different flavors like mint, raspberry, and caramel. On cold, dark nights in southeastern Ohio, I’d plug in the electric tea kettle, warm up some water, and treat myself.
G and I started dating at the end of a Michigan winter. I remember being at his apartment and craving a warm beverage.
"You wouldn't have any hot chocolate, would you?"
"Sure," he said. "It's up in the cupboard. Help yourself."
I looked for the familiar light blue cardboard box with the Swiss Miss on it, but couldn't find it.
Then I realized that his hot chocolate mix came in a container with a lid, marked Ghirardelli. What was this magical elixir? I started to read the label and reached for the tea kettle to boil water.
"What are you doing?, " G asked. "You use milk. Just warm up some milk in the microwave."
Milk? Fancy hot chocolate mix AND milk? What decadence! I followed his instructions and proceeded to have the best dang mug of hot chocolate I'd ever tasted.
I've never laid eyes on that Swiss Miss again.
While I still lived in places where signs like this existed,
I was always on the lookout for a superlative hot chocolate experience.
Just like upping my hot chocolate game, once I had a real, homemade marshmallow, it changed me.
Ina Garten’s recipe for marshmallows became a winter tradition.
A cup of hot chocolate in Florida doesn’t have the same appeal as it does in icy Chicago or blustery Cleveland.
A chilly morning is rare, but I’m still ready for it. I raid the pantry, grab my favorite mug, and sip away.
Thanks again for reading! I care about you. Please don’t forget to eat your greens.
I'm not a fan of marshmallows, but I have recently discovered the delights of (real) whipped cream in my hot chocolate. It really does level up the whole beverage :D
Those homemade marshmallows look amazing! Did Mindy’s Hot Chocolate exist when you lived in Chicago? It was my favorite place to go with friends when I lived there. The Mexican blend (which has cayenne) was always my favorite!