How-To: Grown-Up Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is a childhood classic. One of my fondest memories as a child was slurping half-melted whipped cream off the top of a warm mug of cocoa. I’d beg to have it right off the stove, but it was always too hot for gulping. Instead I’d have to sip it and then savor the cool whipped cream against my tongue. We all remember this moment as kids, right? As I have grown, however, my tastes have changed. What I like now is freshly beaten whipped cream, extra-rich chocolate, and of course, amaretto. Adding a shot of liquor to this decadent treat pushes the experience over the top. It updates my warm childhood memories in a wonderfully grown-up way. I recommend making a double batch of this hot chocolate, and serving the kids first! Send them off to bed, then relax with your own adulterated cup.

Materials:

Milk
Whipped cream
Cocoa
Amaretto
Saucepan

Step 1: Pour 2 cups of milk into the saucepan.

Step 2: Add as much cocoa powder as you like. I used a very generous heaping tablespoon of chocolate.

Step 3: Heat the milk, stirring often. Break up any clumps of chocolate and make sure the cocoa dissolves completely. When it’s warm all the way through, and beginning to steam, remove it from the heat.

Step 4: Pour the cocoa into cups.

Step 5: For the kids, add a dollop of whipped cream, and then send them to bed!

Step 6: For the grownups, pour a shot of amaretto over the whipped cream and then relax by the fire!