Half & Half

Regardless of what the recipe calls for, use milk instead of water—and use whole milk. If you’re on a lowfat diet and need to use fat-free milk, buy the ultrapasteurized version: it tastes like 2% milk but doesn’t have the added fat.

Half and half photo courtesy Organic Valley.

Super-Rich Hot Chocolate

If you want super-rich hot chocolate, don’t use half and half—it’s too heavy. The secret is to add a teaspoon or more of sweet butter to each cup before you pour in the hot chocolate. The butter turns average cocoa into a really good cup, and great cocoa or hot chocolate into a memorable experience.

Quickie Deluxe Hot Chocolate

Those luxury hot chocolates that can cost $25 a box or tin are simply chopped up bits of fine chocolate bars. You can chop up your own bar and combine one ounce (3 tablespoons) of chopped chocolate with one ounce of whole milk in a mug. Microwave for 30 seconds, and stir thoroughly. Add another six ounces of milk, stir, and heat for another 60 seconds. You can use any chocolate: dark, milk or white. Flavored bars work, too; or add a dash of cinnamon, anise, nutmeg and chili powder for “Aztec” hot chocolate. You can use chocolate morsels, but the key is: the finer the chocolate, the more delicious the drink. For a richer beverage, you don’t need to use cream: the secret is to add a teaspoon of sweet butter to the milk before you heat it. Note: don’t make this with 2% or fat-free milk: the purpose is to enjoy a sumptuous beverage. If you’re cutting back, the fat-free single-serve commercial cocoas like Nestle and Swiss Miss are best.

Ice Cream Hot Chocolate Float

Add ice cream to your cup of hot chocolate. Here’s a recipe for from Reddi-Wip; if you don’t want the coffee flavor, just substitute 3/4 cup hot chocolate.

Ingredients Per Drink

• 3/4 cup hot strong brewed coffee
• 1 envelope instant hot cocoa mix
• 1/2 cup (1 large scoop) vanilla premium ice cream
• Whipped cream
• Optional: 2 tablespoons coffee-
  flavored liqueur or chocolate liqueur

Preparation

1. Combine hot coffee and cocoa mix in small bowl until well blended; set aside.
2. Place ice cream in glass; pour hot coffee mixture over ice cream. Top with a serving of Reddi-wip. Serve immediately.