5 Hot Chocolate Concoctions to Enjoy During The Summer Rains

Parts of the country are finally getting a reprieve from the heat and now is a great time to indulge in some hot chocolate. Even if it’s only for a few days (or a few hours), hot chocolate should be your new best friend. And there are so many ways to enjoy hot chocolate instead of just the old fashioned way you were introduced to by your mother or grandmother. While it’s not exactly the healthiest of options, indulgence isn’t necessarily about what is healthy, but what tastes good. Think of it as your cheat meal or something, because it’s totally worth the effort.

We did some research on what you can do with your hot chocolate and came up with a whole lot of options. Whether it’s adding alcohol or just some flavouring, there’s something for everyone. And it won’t take you more than 10-15 minutes to prepare before you find a cosy corner to read or binge watch whatever is on your Netflix schedule.

Instead of complaining about the rain, take a seat, relax and drink some hot chocolate and watch the rain.

Peppermint Patty

Traditionally served during Christmas time, the Peppermint Patty is a refreshing drink while keeping you warm. Make your hot chocolate the usual way, mix the cocoa powder with the boiled milk and then wait for it to cool down a little before you add ¼ cup of peppermint schnapps. Mix well and serve. You can add some marshmallows if you want and top it up with whipped cream.

Mexican Hot Chocolate

Another alcoholic concoction for a cool evening mixes hot chocolate with Kahlua. Heat the milk and add the cocoa powder once it’s boiled. Then add in the Kahlua while still hot, stir and serve. Top with whipped cream and you can add a cinnamon stick or two for garnishing and flavour.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

This one is done a little differently, whereby you heat up the milk and just before it starts to boil, take it off the flame and crush cinnamon sticks into the milk. Let the cinnamon and milk blend together. Then drain the cinnamon from the milk, add cocoa powder to the warm milk and heat for a little. Pour it into glasses, top with whipped cream and sprinkle with cinnamon powder and voila!

Salted Caramel Hot Cocoa

Starbucks has made this famous in their stores, but you can make it at home too! You can either make the salted caramel yourself or buy it in a jar (which might be easier to do), but you can add the caramel to a pan with milk and the cocoa powder. If you’re choosing to using chocolate slabs, then melt it separately and then add it to the milk and caramel. Pour into mugs, garnish with whipped cream and cover it with caramel sauce.

Cold Chocolate with Cookies

This is a personal favourite (and maybe even a personal recipe). Instead of making a hot chocolate, you can make a cold version. Boil some water and pour it over measured spoons of cocoa powder, mix it till it’s nicely thick and chocolatey. Fill the cup with cold milk and mix nicely. Break chocolate chip cookies into tiny pieces and add it to the cold chocolate, add some whipped cream and garnish with cookie crumbs and your drink is ready!