The best cocoa for snow days.

There are not many things cozier than a steaming cup of hot cocoa. Agree?

Well, let me introduce you to the best cocoa "recipe". I am aware that obtaining a cup of hot cocoa can be really simple - hot milk and a spoonful of Nesquick or some similar instant soluble powder. Done. 

But boy, with a bit more time, more effort and a bit of preparation, this simple treat can really be taken to the next level. Because THIS is the cocoa you didn't even know you were missing in your life.

Yumminess.

"Recipe" is a bit of an overstatement - it is very simple and as tweakable as you want it. 

You'll need:

• real cocoa powder (instant soluble sugary crap is just not in the same league as the real stuff),
• whole milk + a dash of heavy cream (that's optional),
• teeny tiny pinch of good salt, just enough to give it a kick,
• sugar,
• peppermint syrup (very easy to make, I used this recipe, although I swapped white sugar for brown),
• peppermint candy canes for that extra festive touch and to use as stirrers.

Soon to be minty creamy chocolatey heaven.

Adjust all quantities to your taste and, of course, to the number of cups you are making. Also, keep in mind that both the syrup and the candy canes are quite sweet, so do not overdo it with the sugar. 

The secret ingredient for the bestest cocoa:
 pepermint!

Combine the milk with the cream and add the salt. Warm slightly. Either in a pot on the stove or in the microwave. Having the milk warm will help the cocoa powder getting into the mixture.

Mix in the cocoa powder. Stir vigorously to get all the cocoa into the milk and crush all the lumps. Real cocoa powder (as opposed to soluble powders) is a pain in the butt to mix in, but the end result is really worth it. Once the brown stuff is inside the milk and not floating on top of it, add the syrup and mix a bit more. Finish off with adding enough sugar to make it perfectly sweet.

Warm it up, but not let it boil. Right before serving, stick a candy cane (or two) in each cup. They will slowly start melting and releasing the pepperminty goodies into the cocoa. Awesome.

Enjoy it while it lasts.

You might want cry a little when it's gone, trust me. Of course, you can always make another cup.

Bonus tinsel: The tree at Rockefeller Center.