Katie Rose

Concierge~Wine~Events

  • Home

  • About

  • Services

  • Contact

  • Blog

  • More

    ​​​​Copyright ©  2013 - present Katie Rose LLC. All rights reserved.

    • Facebook Social Icon
    • Twitter Social Icon
    • Pinterest Social Icon
    • Instagram Social Icon
    • Google+ Social Icon

    Photography Credits: {a}strid Photography, Jennifer Heffner Photography,

    Michael Bennett Kress Photography, Mollie Tobias Photography, Vita Images

    National Mojito Day

    July 11, 2017

    Celebrating Rickey Month

    July 6, 2017

    National Martini Day ~ The Classic

    June 19, 2017

    National Mulled Wine Day

    March 3, 2017

    National Margarita Day

    February 22, 2017

    Please reload

    Recent Posts

    The Art of a Thank You Note

    October 6, 2015

    How to Enter the World of Wine

    February 12, 2014

    5 Tips for Easily Setting Up a Dinner Party

    December 15, 2015

    1/6
    Please reload

    Featured Posts
    Savor
    Libations

    Warming up with Hot Cocoa

    January 12, 2016

    |

    Katie Rose

     

    With winter’s cold taking hold this January, I am forever looking for warming drinks and love hot cocoa. While I am usually a coffee drinker, there is something magical about a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Making homemade hot cocoa is well worth it and super easy with countless variations for the entire family.

     

    There is also the debate over hot cocoa vs. hot chocolate. Hot Cocoa uses cocoa powder and produces an intense chocolate flavor. Hot Chocolate melts actual chocolate and produces a rich and creamy drink. Both are amazing, and I encourage you to try them all.

     

    Hot Cocoa:

    In a saucepan, mix together

    • ¼ c cocoa powder (I like Dutch processed)

    • ¼ - ½ c sugar, to taste

    • pinch of salt

    • ½ c water

    Bring to a boil to dissolve the sugar and cocoa. Then add

    • 4 c milk

    Heat to desired temperature, stirring constantly. Do not boil. Stir in

    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

     

    Hot Chocolate:

    Chop or use chocolate chips.

    • 8 oz chocolate (Can use white chocolate, dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or any combination that you like.)

    In a saucepan, heat to a simmer

    • 2 c milk

    • 2 c half and half

    Remove from the heat and add the chocolate. When melted, reheat gently and add

    • 1 tsp vanilla extract

     

     

    As a tip, you can use any type of milk you want. We drink skim at home so I mix skim and cream to have a richer drink. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows.

     

    Now comes the fun part ~ You can add countless extracts, spirits, or liqueurs to customize as you want. Classics like Bailey’s, Amaretto, Crème de Menthe, Chambord, Grand Marnier, Kahlúa, Bourbon, Brandy… The list goes on and on. For non-alcoholic options, add extracts or mix in crushed candy canes or caramels while heating so they melt. Stirring in Nutella, peanut butter, or espresso powder are all delish.

     

    5 Elegant Hot Cocoa Variations:

     

     

    Raspberry:

    Make 1 cup raspberry puree by bringing 2 cups fresh or frozen raspberries to a boil with ½ c sugar. Blend and Strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. You should be left with about 1 c. Add to the hot cocoa or hot chocolate when you add the vanilla.

    This method works with any berry. Use white chocolate and glass mugs to show off the colors. Also nice in fall with our pumpkin puree.

     

    The following variations are all made by steeping flavors into the milk before adding the chocolate. As the first step, add desired herbs and spices to the milk and bring to a simmer. Cover, remove from the heat and cover the pan. Let sit for 5 – 10 minutes and strain.

     

    Lavender:

    Add 1-2 tsp lavender buds. Remember from our Sherry post, be careful using lavender and experiment to find how strong a flavor you like. This is one of my favorites!

     

    Gingerbread

    Add 4 quarter-sized slices fresh ginger, 3 cinnamon sticks, 6 allspice berries, 6 whole cloves, 3 peppercorns, ½ tsp nutmeg, and ¼ tsp lemon zest. After steeping, add 1 Tbsp molasses with the chocolate. These are really bold flavors that can overpower white or milk chocolate.

     

    Orange

    Add the zest of one orange. I like this best with dark chocolate and a splash of brandy. This is also perfect with a dash or two of cinnamon and/or espresso powder.

     

    Mexican

    Add 1-2 cinnamon sticks and 1 dried chili. If using the dried chili is too spicy, try just a pinch of chili powder. The classic Aztec drink was very think and whipped. I make this using the hot chocolate recipe 12oz of dark chocolate. After heating, use a whisk or blender to achieve a frothy texture.

     

     

    If you want to be truly decadent, make your own marshmallows. Homemade marshmallows are light, fluffy, and light years away from store bought. I recommend starting with Martha Stewart's basic vanilla then playing around with other options like toasted coconut or peppermint. One Christmas, I made Saveur's strawberry, chocolate, and orange as teachers' gifts. They were easy and fun for the kids.

    Tags:

    wine specialist

    libations

    pastry chef

    entertaining

    cocktails

    dc event planner

    pumpkin

    dc event designer

    recipe

    cocoa

    chocolate

    tips

    Please reload

    Follow Us

    MmmMonday

    adopt don't shop

    aviation

    black dog day

    book signing

    boulevardier

    bouquet

    bourbon

    brandy

    bridesmaid

    business

    celebrations

    celebrity chef

    champagne

    cheese

    cheese platter

    chocolate

    cocktails

    cocoa

    coffee

    cookie

    cooking class

    craft beer

    dan barber

    dc event designer

    dc event planner

    dc events

    dc foodie

    dc restaurant

    dc wedding planner

    debdc

    debdc14

    dessert

    diner en blanc

    dom perignon

    eggnog

    entertaining

    etiquette

    farm to table

    french press

    georgia

    gift basket

    gin

    gin and tonic

    halloween

    hands on

    holiday

    hot toddy

    jim beam

    julia child

    knob creek

    libations

    macedonia

    margarita

    martini

    mint julep

    mixology

    mojito

    mulled wine

    noah's mill