Homemade Hot Chocolate - or 'Cocoa' if You Prefer

I recently had an abnormal, summertime hankering for hot chocolate. I went rummaging through the pantry and cupboards for one of those packets of powdery hot chocolate stuff, but I found none (Thank goodness!). Undeterred, I decided to whip up some hot chocolate from scratch, - and for the very first time in my life. Amazingly it turned out to be quite a success, so much a success I've decided to share it on my humble blog. 

Random fact: The correct term in Russia when ordering such a beverage is ' hot cocoa' (or cacao). Don't mistakenly use the term hot 'chocolate', for that's precisely what you will receive. Chocolate, all by itself, melted in a cup. So if ever you find yourself in Russia and desire this delightful drink, be clear on what you're ordering. 


Homemade Hot Chocolate

• 1 1/2 -2 tablespoons of *organic cocoa powder
• 2 cups of raw or organic whole milk
• 2 tablespoons of water
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon of fresh coffee
• pinch of cayenne pepper
• 2 teaspoons of *organic coconut oil
• 1 1/2 - 2 cups of sugar (everyone is different, so if you need even more than 2 cups, that's perfectly fine)

For those who love mint: Adding 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract is delicious. A great way to make a cup of hot chocolate at Christmastime even more delightful.


-On either stove top or in the microwave (which ever you prefer) heat up your milk until it is hot. In a medium saucepan heat your water, coffee, vanilla, coconut oil, cayenne pepper, and cocoa powder over medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes; whisking occasionally to make sure it is mixed well. Once your 1 to 2 minutes are up, slowly add in your hot milk, stirring as you pour it in. Let mixture heat over medium to high heat for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally. Then add in your sugar, stirring it in well. Allow hot chocolate to heat for at least 5 more minutes, and then it's finished. Enjoy.


*I personally try to be as organic as possible, so my using organic ingredients is my own preference. I encourage and recommend that you use organic ingredients, but certainly it is optional.