So today you get a two-for-one! I'm kind of obsessed with the latte maker my in-laws gave us as a wedding present. I start the day with a coffee and end the day with a hot cocoa. Here are my twists on the usual.
The Pooh Bear*
This drink can be made without any fancy machines or tools, as long as you can brew black coffee.
Add 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon to your coffee grounds before brewing. While your coffee is brewing, add about a Tablespoon of honey to your coffee mug. Pour in the coffee and your milk or cream of choice, and stir. If you use a sweetened creamer, you might want to start with a little less than usual and check to see if the sweetness is enough.
*This title is taken from a similar drink that I got at a local coffee shop.
Daily Hot Cocoa
Pour 8 oz of your favorite milk into the carafe of your latte maker. (If you don't have the latte maker, you can do this in a larger glass with an immersion blender. I haven't had any luck getting it to blend properly by whisking with a fork.) This is very, very important. I've been making this drink for over two years now and I've learned that the key to this cocoa is to use a milk that has fat in it. Skim milk is awful, but 1%, soy milk, and unsweetened almond milk (add a very small pinch of salt to that one) all work really well. Add a Tablespoon or less of your favorite sweetener (I use local honey, because my allergies seem to be getting worse every year), then a rounded Tablespoon of cocoa powder**. Blend until well mixed and serve in your favorite mug.
Optional: If it's boozy Tuesday, mix in a shot of Rumchata or Orchata for some cinnamony goodness.
**Never, ever pour your honey through the floating cocoa powder. You will end up with a mug full of hot cocoa and cocoa nuggets. This is much grosser than it sounds.
