If you are craving the feeling of drinking something warm in the winter, hot chocolate is an obvious go-to. It is richer than tea and doesn’t have the bitterness that coffee sometimes does. Plus, it is chocolate! Who can argue with that! Here are a bunch of different ways to make hot chocolate, ranked.
Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa Powder
If you’re thinking of hot chocolate powder, then you’re probably thinking of the ubiquitous Swiss Miss. Growing up, playing outside in the snow meant drinking Swiss Miss to warm up afterward! Being at college means limited resources, but thankfully heating up a cup of milk in the microwave and adding a packet makes everything super easy! I personally use two packets instead of one for added richness.
Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa
Compared to the standard Swiss Miss, this hot cocoa powder packet contains more chocolate than powder if you’re into a more chocolatey taste similar to drinking chocolate. You can add hot water to it, or add hot milk if you want to tone down the dark chocolate flavor.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
There are many different Mexican hot chocolates out there. The two main rivals are Abuelita and Ibarra. Both feature a circle of chocolate triangles that are ready to be placed in a fresh cup of hot milk and stirred until you have the perfect cup. Abuelita is Nestle’s take on Mexican hot chocolate. It has a nice mild cinnamon taste which easily warms you up on a cold winter’s day. If you like a more cinnamon-y taste, try Ibarra, for it is a bit stronger. If you’re unsure which would be better, check out Buzzfeed’s opinion on which is better!
Everything but the Kitchen Sink
This is a personal recipe that was created when I was little. Basically, you take anything and everything chocolate and put it in a mug with milk, then drink it. This is perfect if you’re feeling bored, or if you want something extremely chocolatey to liven up your day. In the dining halls, I typically do add two packets of Swiss Miss, some chocolate syrup, and a spoonful of Nutella with milk and then heat it up in the microwave! Add some mini marshmallows from the ice cream station and you’re set! Feel free to go wild with this one!
Whether you make hot chocolate at home or in your dorm, it is sure to warm you up! Don’t feel limited by your ingredients as there are always ways to spice things up. Add cinnamon, whipped cream, Fluff, or peppermint! Some people add Hot Tamale candies for some kick! So drink up and carry on through finals with something festive!