Cooking Lesson #1135: Perfect (Hard) Hot Chocolate

…from the Perspectives’ Holiday Happy Hour Bar

How you doin’? Before we opened Choclatique, our premium chocolate company, my go to chocolate was See’s for truffles and Hershey’s for cocoa.
 
During the cold weather of winter, hot cocoa requires no introduction. Here is my recipe for Perfect Hot Chocolate that will take the deep chill out of your bones. Try this quick and easy recipe using HERSHEY’S Cocoa to serve up to six friends or family members a cup of this comforting Perfect Hot Chocolate.
 
You can have the ultimate adult ski chalet treat in no time when you make a cup of this creamy and chocolaty delight with a shot or two of whisky. Hot chocolate is so good and with a shot of whiskey, it is so much better.
 
Prep time:  10 minutes
Yields:  6-6 oz. servings
 
Ingredients 
1⁄2 cup granulated sugar
1⁄4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa Powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1⁄3 cup hot water
4 cups milk (1 quart)
3⁄4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
6 large marshmallows
Whiskey of your choice
 
Directions

1. Mix the sugar,  Cocoa and salt in a medium saucepan; stir in the water.
2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly for 2 minutes;
3. Add the milk; stir and heat until hot. Do not boil.
4. Remove from heat and add the vanilla.
5. Beat with whisk until foamy.
6. Portion out; add a shot of whiskey if using.
7. Top with a marshmallow.

Try one of the following variations with the vanilla extract:

•  1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
• 1⁄2 teaspoon of mint extract or 3 tablespoons of crushed hard peppermint candy.
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of powdered instant coffee.
• Or best of all, make it hard with a shot or two of whiskey.

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ChefSecret:  This is also a Perfect Hot Chocolate for teetotalers and kids under 21… just leave out the whiskey.
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Quip of the Day:  Q. Why did the hot chocolate go to school? A. To become a smart cookie!
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Do you have a question or comment? Send your thoughts to [email protected]. All recipes and cooking tips are posted on our website https://www.perspectives-la.com/perspectives-on-food.
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To you and everyone dear to you, be strong, positive, stay well, stay safe and be kind. Take a breath and count your blessings, and if you have a little extra to share with others, please consider donating to  Feeding America, Tunnel to Towers, Union Rescue Mission and/or American Red Cross.

#Cocktail #HappyHour2025 #MerryChristmas #HotChocolate #HardHotChocolate #Hersheys #Marshmallow #CocoaPowder #Whiskey #HolidayHappyHour #Cheers #HolidayRecipes #Recipes2025 #URM #T2T #FeedingAmerica #RedCross #SamaritansPurse #PerspectivesTheConsultingGroup  
                                                                                         ©PERSPECTIVES/The Consulting Group, LLC, 2025

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