Today is the last day of winter. We made it! And I tried a new hot chocolate every week of the winter.

After beautiful spring preview weather, winter’s not leaving without a few words (and maybe snowflakes!). It’s currently 43 degrees and starting to rain. Supposed to change over to snow later. Not supposed to stick thanks to those warmer days. And a high wind warning until later tonight. I was just out there feeding the birds and the wind was calm right now. Howled earlier though.

Didn’t drink this hot chocolate today. Actually had it on Sunday when again, winter shared a few parting words. Since it was almost Saint Patrick’s Day, mint hot chocolate easily won the contest for the final flavor.

Mint Hot Chocolate

I loosely used the ideas in this Andes Mint Hot Chocolate recipe.  First major/maybe minor difference is I didn’t use Andes mints. I do like those. However, we had these on hand:

Dark chocolate and mint? Yes, please! I also skipped the peppermint syrup, didn’t have any and didn’t think it needed it.

Had my guest judge of J along again for my final hot chocolate tasting of the winter. He opted for a full cup of hot chocolate this time. Sans marshmallows/whipped cream. I added the whipped cream and chocolate syrup to my cup to make it look photo fancy but it didn’t need it. Enjoyed it more once I spooned through that layer.

Title says it all. J and I both agreed this was the best hot chocolate of them all. Not that I didn’t very much enjoy some of the others but this one was just perfect. Easy to make, not overly rich, no weird aftertaste. Just everything to enjoy about mint and hot chocolate combined.

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Hope you’ve enjoyed reading along as I’ve tried so many hot chocolates this winter. If you are interested, most recipes and quite a few others I didn’t get a chance to try are listed on my Drinks Pinterest Board.

A few I didn’t get a chance to try: s’mores hot chocolate, Colombian hot chocolate with cheese (very intriguing), and orange hot chocolate.

Technically, I only did this for January, February, and the beginning of March as I followed the idea on my 25 for 2025 list. Will I pick it back up in December? Undecided. For now, I’m switching over to coffee and hopefully, very soon iced tea and lemonade (sometimes together/sometimes separate). And of course, water!

Welcome again to Winter Thursday! Oops. I ended up working all day yesterday. Since the weather was insanely warm, I really wasn’t in the mood for hot chocolate.

Next Wednesday is actually the last Wednesday of Winter though technically it’s already meteorological spring (and feels like summer almost).

Look it’s a summer bloom!

(Full disclosure: I’ve had a little geranium plant inside all winter and it decided to bloom this week)

Enjoy the above photo because the hot chocolate ones aren’t great.

Chai White Hot Chocolate

Yes, you read that right. I tried a white hot chocolate recipe (sort of…)

This chai white hot chocolate recipe inspired me today. However, I think most of you know how I feel about white chocolate (an abomination!) so I didn’t have any on hand. What I did have handy was this:

Going to be honest, I “stole” this from my older son. Someone gave it to him for Christmas but I know he wasn’t interested and it’s been sitting in the kitchen since before Christmas so I claimed it.

Basically, I followed the beginning of the recipe I linked up there, steeping my tea bag in the warm milk for 5 minutes. (And I only had green chai so that’s what I used). Then, stirred in the little mix pictured above.

The little sprinkles all melted into the hot chocolate except for the silver nonpareils which were at the bottom of the cup as a nice little crunchy surprise.

My Thoughts:

I didn’t hate it. It reminded me a bit of the chai lattes I sometimes get at the coffee shop. Afterthought here: I should have added vanilla. Also, if you’re a chai latte kind of person, next time order a vanilla chai latte, takes it up a notch! Did this on barista advice and it was great. And now, back to the hot white hot chocolate review.

As you can see in the photo up there, I opted to skip the whipped cream. Wasn’t in the mood. Also, my cup doesn’t look quite as full because J wanted to try it and so poured a small amount into another cup. He didn’t hate it either and said it was way better than the evaporated milk hot chocolate from a couple of weeks ago.

We both did agree though that it was the chai that saved it. I don’t think either of us would’ve enjoyed white hot chocolate by itself. Maybe hatred of white chocolate is a genetic thing like with the people who think cilantro tastes soapy?

It’s not something I’d want all the time but if more white hot chocolate mixes come our way, I’ll know just what to do!

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Guess what?  There are only THREE Winter Wednesdays left in 2025. After that, it’s Spring! Spring starts on a Thursday this year. Spring is officially 21 days away from us! So close. We can get there.

Also, if you want a very exact countdown, check out this Countdown to Spring site (for the Northern Hemisphere). It’s counting down to seconds until Spring arrives!

However, it’s still a Winter Wednesday today despite the wonderful weather (sunshine and feels like 52 degrees at 9:30 in the morning? Sold!).

And I’m still trying a different hot chocolate every week this winter. Two different kinds for this week and a special guest judge for the first tasting.

Evaporated Milk Hot Chocolate

I had high hopes for this Evaporated Milk Hot Chocolate. And a special guest judge as J was home and interested in trying it as well. The nice thing about this recipe was having everything needed in the pantry. J opted to try his with just marshmallows as the topping. He’s a traditionalist.

I wanted something a little fancier so added a bit of whipped cream, marshmallows, and mini chocolate chips to mine.

The verdict: Sadly, neither of us were big fans of this one. J thought it tasted too sharp and thought that came from the chocolate chips in the it. (The recipe calls for 1/3 cup of chocolate chips) He added a bit of whipped cream to his hot chocolate to see if that helped. He said it did not.

My thoughts were simply that it had a bit of a funky aftertaste to it. It wasn’t the worst hot chocolate I’ve tried but definitely not going on the make again list. Only variations I made to original recipe were to cut it in half as I only had one can of evaporated milk in the pantry. Also, I used brown sugar instead of white but I don’t think that had a bearing on our opinions.

Bonus Mug: Banana Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

As I’ve been under the weather a bit this week, I was still craving something in the warm treat variety for the afternoon yesterday. I’d debated this banana peanut butter hot chocolate while researching recipes to try. Since I had a couple bananas quickly passing the banana bread stage on the counter, I decided to give this a try.

This one I would make again! It was surprisingly good and very satisfying. That’s something as I’m not a huge banana person. I did ocasional get little bits of banana while drinking this but simply mushing the banana better would avoid that.

I followed the recipe more or less. Things I did differently: used a whole almost black banana (I’d definitely only use half a ripe one), didn’t really measure my peanut butter (eye-balled a tablespoon so maybe went a bit over). And I topped my mug with extra peanut butter as opposed to a banana slice.

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As I said at the beginning of the post, only 3 hot chocolates to go! Any suggestions for unique hot chocolates I need to try? Are you counting down the days, hours, minutes, and seconds until spring along with me?

Our crazy cold snap is supposed to go through tomorrow at noon and then, the temp swings upward. It’s so cold right now. Late post as I ended up working today.

Somehow, my work did not close the past couple of days and yet, we are canceling family night on Thursday because of the weather. Make it make sense! So much more I could (but will not) say about my work lately.

Anyway, on my stay home days I made hot chocolate twice this week! Two kinds.

Kind of Normal

Okay, so I did say kind of normal. I made my normal hot chocolate packet but then, did this to it:

Had some leftover marshmallow creme buttercream frosting and thought it might make a nice hot chocolate topping. Slight problem, if you take it straight out of the fridge, it sinks! So, I added some whipped cream and then, added the marshmallow creme buttercream. It was good but I probably need to try it some time with marshmallow creme (or the frosting) at room temperature when I add it to the hot chocolate.

The next kind of hot chocolate was the true winner this week!

Oreo Hot Chocolate

I’ve discovered I need to be careful with the hot chocolate recipes as sometimes more than one of the same type exist out here on the Internet (imagine that). So, after my Nutella disappointment, I carefully curated the Oreo Hot Chocolate recipes out there and settled on this one called Creamy Oreo Hot Chocolate.

Oreos happened to be on sale at the grocery store last time I went and so in addition to snagging a package for lunch treats (my husband and G both usually take their lunches to work, I do sometimes), I knew an Oreo hot chocolate was happening.

I pretty much followed the recipe exactly this time. Only thing I did different was skip the food processing part. A sandwich bag and a rolling pin worked well for me.

This made for a delightful dessert! Perfect for an overly cold and snowy night. Reminded me a bit of the Italian hot chocolate as it got thick but not quite as thick though I did mostly use a spoon for it as opposed to taking sips.

Of all the hot chocolates I’ve tried so far, this one I can absolutely see myself making again!

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Now, not related to my hot chocolate experiments, I just want to share that my husband is doing one of the most Midwestern activities ever. He’s grilling hot dogs in 8 degree weather! He brushed the snow off the grill to do this. No further comments from me at this time.

Maybe I’ll ask if he wants a hot chocolate for dessert.

Kind of a clunky title up there but that’s exactly what this post is about today.

Really thought I was going to have to work (we don’t get snow days quite as often as the public schools) so super excited when that message showed up on my phone.

Got my snow day list ready instead of trying to figure out what to wear:

• Pajamas. Check!
• Latest Paula Hawkins book loaded on my phone. Check!
• Hot chocolate. Check!
• Not needing to worry about driving in the snow. Triple check! (For the record, I can do it but it’s nice not to have to do it)

Hot Chocolate Time

I’m happy to report I enjoyed this Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate. And it was easy enough to make, could be an occasional repeat around here. Seemed like a good choice for Valentine’s Day week.

Mostly, I followed the recipe exactly with a few exceptions: I cut it in half so just made one cup. Didn’t want to dirty a pan for one cup of hot chocolate so I warmed my milk in the microwave and then just mixed in the hot chocolate mix. Also, I only had regular hot chocolate mix with marshmallows (though I do only buy Swiss Miss brand so that part was the same). I find the little marshmallows just melt into the hot chocolate anyway so doubt it impacted the flavor.

Clearly, I also didn’t take the time to make a chocolate covered cherry opting instead to just add some cherries on top of the whipped cream (Reddi-wip over here) and garnished with a bit of regular cocoa powder.

Final thoughts: This had good flavor and would probably be truly amazing with the extra chocolate in the garnish. I think a shot of amaretto might really enhance this hot chocolate if you were so inclined (though maybe not at 8:a.m.). Might consider simply adding in a teaspoon of almond extract as well if I make it again.

It’s got enough cherry flavor that if you for some reason do not like cherries, you will not like this. I liked it as I like cherry flavor. The only flavor I really despise is grape so I won’t be trying any grape hot chocolate not that I’ve see a recipe for that anywhere.

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Are you a fan of cherry flavor? Are there any flavors you intensely dislike? What flavor do you think would be a good addition to a hot chocolate?

What about snow days? Do you get those? And if so, how do you spend them?

Hope if you are in the path of this latest snowstorm, you stay safe and warm!

It’s an ice day around here (well, for me). Husband went to work and G had a late start. It’s not a pretty ice storm either. It’s the kind where the roads/sidewalks look fine but then you step outside and it’s slick! Lots of wrecks and highway shutdowns this morning.

Oddly, Monday was so warm that I went to the grocery store with no coat and we grilled pork chops for dinner. Yesterday, the temperature took a dive and by the late afternoon, the bitter wind arrived.

Anyway, here’s the hot chocolate report for this week.

Iced Hot Chocolate

A few weeks back I tried a vanilla hot chocolate packet which I did not like at all. And to my dismay, I’d accidentally purchased 2 of them! I noticed on the back of the packet directions for making iced-hot chocolate. Interesting. Since it was so warm on Monday, I gave it a try. Definitely better this way. Probably not going to be a go-to for me but way better than the hot version. However, I’m going to stick with iced-coffee (or blended–a better value at the fancy coffee shops) and iced-tea when the weather is warm.

Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

I think I’ve perhaps learned my lesson with these particular packets of hot chocolate:

The Hazelnut chocolate cocoa mix is missing hazelnuts from the ingredients! Geez. Since I had time this morning I opted to go in search of an actual hazelnut hot chocolate recipe instead. Maybe I’ll try the iced version of the packet another time.

I found a recipe for Nutella hot chocolate here.

And since we always have some of this in our pantry:

I decided to give it a try.

Cut the recipe in half as I was the only one interested in it. Final product:

Looked pretty. Apparently, I’ve become a pretty big hot chocolate critic. This was only okay to me. Not something I’m going to make again. And I do love Nutella! Maybe it needed more, it reminded me more of a hot Nesquik than hot chocolate. I guess is it even technically a hot chocolate?

Going to stick with having my Nutella the proper way, just having it straight off a spoon. Or heated over a bit of ice cream. (G likes peanut butter and Nutella sandwiches but I’ve never tried those).

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I’ll end this post properly with this fun throwback (we actually heard it on the radio this weekend!):

And a couple questions: Have you ever had an iced-hot chocolate? Do you think Nutella hot chocolate counts a genuine hot chocolate?

*Full Disclosure: I had to pay a cat tax collector in a bit of whipped cream while trying to judge my Nutella hot chocolate. She refused to be photographed.

Okay, maybe hot weather is relative. Snow melting, no coat in January weather? The first super early round of mud season is upon us weather? Hello, potholes weather (actually, that weather’s been here for a bit!). A fool’s spring definitely.

Quick post as it was a long day, I make my own schedule so why would I agree to close one day and open the next? Ugh. Not bad days but I’m tired.

Hot Chocolate of the Week:

Not a hit with me even with marshmallows added. And I typically do like Dove chocolates (though to be fair, I’m a dark chocolate fan much more than milk chocolate). I think this came from my work Christmas gift. Hoping I’ve not ruined quick hot chocolate for myself by making those homemade versions! I made this Sunday when it was cooler out.

Hot Weather (for January)

It’s beautiful and sunny outside except it’s also oh so muddy! Lots of snow from a blizzard makes lots of mud when it melts. Just a reminder that this was our weather just last week on Tuesday:

So between the two, I’ll take the warmer weather. That said I’ve seen this meme numerous places to the point I’m not sure how to credit the original author but it’s extremely accurate:

What season is it where you are?

Nope, not a typo in my title. I tried two different types of hot chocolate this week. And yes, it is only Wednesday.  Take a look at what temperature we woke up to on Tuesday:

Yeah, just a little chilly out there. Still, I had a hair appointment and since I was out anyway, made a brief stop by the grocery store. Don’t worry it was up to 3 degrees by the time I made it to the store. So, you see the logic of trying two hot chocolates this week instead of only one.

Monday’s choice:

Monday wasn’t quite as cold. However, I thought it would be a good day to try out a new recipe since I had the day off work. Colonial Hot Chocolate seemed fitting somehow as it was also Inauguration Day.

Hmm…needs a little something. How about a bit of whipped cream topped with cinnamon-sugar?

My thoughts: While I enjoyed the flavor of it, I didn’t care for the grittiness of it. Not sure if I did something wrong or that was just how they had their hot chocolate in colonial times. I do think if you put the spices in a tea strainer or maybe strained the hot chocolate before pouring in the cup, it would improve the experience quite a bit.

Notes: I didn’t have any star anise so left it out, I think it would’ve enhanced the flavor but I didn’t miss it that much. Also didn’t have any orange rinds (I’d definitely add that if I make it again) and opted to leave out the red chili pepper.

Tuesday’s Choice:

Even without the bitter cold, this choice wins of all the hot chocolates I’ve tried so far! Italian Hot Chocolate is definitely to be savored and not slurped away.

I added a bit of whipped cream to this but it did not need it. At all.

Look how thick this is:

My thoughts: First, a disclaimer, Italian food is my absolute favorite so no surprise I loved this. It was so rich and thick, definitely more a dessert than a drink. I mostly drank it off the spoon. My family, who I made try this one, all said um, it’s pudding. And it does have that texture. G thought it was a bit bitter but he’s not a dark chocolate fan.

Notes: I did make a few mistakes while making this, accidentally mixing the sugar at the beginning with the cocoa/cornstarch mixture. Making this is definitely a process that requires patience. I didn’t add any extra flavors to it. If When I make it again, I might swirl in a bit of vanilla or a bit of amaretto but I don’t think it really needs anything at all. Did I make two cups (J changed his mind about wanting any) and have a second cup without the whipped cream for dessert after dinner? Yes, yes I did.

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Remember as part of my 25 for 2025 list, I’ve decided to try a new kind of hot chocolate every week this winter (and packets count if I don’t have time to make it from scratch!).

Have you ever tried Italian hot chocolate?

Do you have a favorite style of hot chocolate I should try?

Just a super quick post this afternoon.

A Dud

I am more of a vanilla person so really expected to enjoy this one.

I did NOT. It was not good. Maybe too soon after the rich Belgian hot chocolate? Or maybe it’s just called hot chocolate for a reason? And I accidentally bought 2 packets of it. SIGH. Maybe I can figure out something to do with the other package to make it better.

A Delight

Before baking:

And after:

(Sorry forgot to flip the photos). YUM. Just YUM.

The blueberry French toast bake that Carrie shared was a hit! Mostly with me. To be fair, my husband said it would make a “good side” and that he didn’t care for mushy bread. (NOTE: the bread was not mushy at all. He just isn’t a huge sourdough fan and that’s what I used) J decided he was not a fan of hot blueberries but thought it would be great with other fruit. G just thought it needed something on top. My family is super picky though. This dish is an absolute 10/10 for me.

I made a few mistakes in the recipe like accidentally doubling the seasonings when I halved the recipe but I don’t think that hurt it at all. And not really a mistake but I always add a 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg to my recipes with real blueberries.

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