Mix And Match Your New Favorite Cocoa

Never, ever have boring "just add water" hot cocoa. Life's too short for that kind of mediocrity. 

As temperatures continue to hang out around in the single digits here in southeast Iowa, it's the perfect time to experiment with cocoa - flavors, textures, mix-ins, and all the other good stuff. I tried adding chai powder to mine, and I loved it.

Take a look at the ingredient suggestions below, mix and match to your heart's content, and let me know which ones you love the most.

Creamy Bases
Replace water with:
* Whole milk
* Oat milk
* Sweetened condensed milk + water
* Coconut milk
* Half & half

Extracts and Syrups
* Coconut extract
* Hazelnut syrup
* Orange extract
* Maple syrup

Blend-ins
* Nut butters (peanut, almond, hazelnut)
* Marshmallow fluff + torch (s’mores vibe)
* Chocolate chips melted in
* Ice cream scoop for instant “hot chocolate affogato”

Candy Mix-ins
Throw in pieces to melt slowly:
* Andes mints
* Toffee bits
* Root beer barrel candy (root beer float cocoa!)
* Werther’s caramels
* Peppermint candy canes
* Peanut butter cups

Hot Cocoa Soda
Mix cold cocoa concentrate with:
* Club soda
* Cream soda
* Cherry cola

Milkshake
Blend:
* Hot cocoa mix + milk + ice cream
* Add malt powder for diner vibes

Five Combos to Try
Orange Truffle:
* Cocoa mix + milk
* Pinch salt
* Orange extract
* Add chocolate chips

Campfire S’mores
* Cocoa + milk
* Marshmallows
* Crushed graham crackers
* Torch the top if you can

Maple Walnut
* Cocoa + milk
* 1 tsp maple syrup
* Pinch cinnamon
* Crushed candied walnuts

Black Forest
* Cocoa + milk
* Cherry syrup or jam
* Whipped cream

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