My love of the coziest of beverages was fully realized years ago. My full-time job is at a renowned luxury chocolate company. When I joined the company back in 2003(!) I was introduced to a new world of what chocolate can be. High quality chocolate without a bunch of fillers and stabilizers is truly one of life's great pleasures! Adding good quality milk and cream to shaved and dutch processed cocoa, heating it up and topping it with lightly whipped heavy cream kissed with the tiniest bit of sweetness, ugh, it is so good!
My all time favorite cocoa is the Parisienne Drinking Chocolate from Vosges Haut-Chocolat. It is a 62% dark chocolate laced with madagascan vanilla bean. This luscious mix can be made with milk and cream, milk alternative or even just water. It is obviously much darker when made with water, but very good. Vosges only offers this during the winter so go and grab some before it is too late!
Two pro-tips on this cocoa:
1) Make it a day or two in advance and let it sit in the fridge, the liquid chocolate will absorb more of that madagascan vanilla.
2) Once prepared, bring to room temperature or cooler and shake over ice, strain and enjoy!
A new cocoa in my repertoire is the K+M coffee and sea salt hot chocolate mix. This is a dark mix of shaved single-estate chocolate mixed with fair trade coffee and a bit of seasalt that really kicks up the flavor. I can’t take whole milk and heavy cream much anymore so I make this with almond or oat milk and it hits just right. My favorite almond milk right now is Elmhurst Unsweetened Almond Milk, but it's pricey and really any milk or milk alternatives will do. If you are sensitive to caffeine don’t drink this too late in the evening as it packs a punch. Having tried this mix a few different ways; whipped cream, marshmallows, toasted not toasted etc., my favorite is the cocoa on its own really whisked to froth it up served with a side of cookies! I have not tried this yet, but I feel pretty certain this would be out of this world poured over a scoop of ice cream.
Why am I going on and on about cocoa? I mean why wouldn’t I, but also one of my priorities for 2023 is to drink more cocoa! I am going to save all the money I would normally spend on planners, calendars, things to keep me organized that I use for a week and then feel guilty about abandoning the rest of the year. I am going to use that money to buy things that make me happy and until it warms up that thing will be cocoa! For the next few months Maybe So will be focusing on cocoa! I will be offering the K+M coffee and sea salt cocoa, loads of fun additions, and warm spices you can add in to elevate your drinking chocolate. Can you think of a better gift for you or a loved one on Valentine’s day? I will also be posting a lot of cocoa related posts on instagram. I would love for you to stop by and tell me what your favorite cocoa and cocoa combination is!
I will leave you with this, always whisk your cocoa it makes such a difference. Be careful though, it’s hot!