Warm Yourself Up With Cocoa

Photo used with permission from DHD Multimedia Gallery

With the cold weather quickly coming upon us, especially here in Upstate NY, we love to find great ways of warming ourselves up after dinner and before bed. Though ice creams and cakes are always a welcome dessert, in the chillier times, it’s the hot cocoas and warm pies that are a perfect fit.

The thing is, that though cocoas are warm and smooth, creamy and downright delicious, the cocoa itself has awesome health benefits! The flavinoids that are found in cocoa have great antioxidant qualities and act as a “cellular band-aid” for the body! Cocoa has even been proven to lower blood pressure and improve the flow of blood!

Of course, with all things as delicious as chocolate and cocoa, there are the pluses and minuses and must be consumed in moderation. But no worries, no need to get stuck in a bland cocoa rut…

There are so many ways that you can spice up your cocoa, get your antioxidants and warm yourself up on these chilly nights. Why not try adding a splash of Chambord to your cocoa? An easy addition that I picked up while bartending that makes hot cocoa taste just like one of those sinful Godiva real raspberry filled chocolate bars. There are endless non-alcoholic options as well, like an awesome orange hot cocoa that is so simple to make and droolworthy, at the same time.

Orange Hot Cocoa
4.5 cups milk
Zest from 4 oranges
8 oz. chocolate chips, or chopped milk or semisweet chocolate
Combine milk and orange zest in a saucepan until milk is hot, remove from heat and allow to sit for 15 to 30 minutes. Strain the milk to remove the orange zest. Place milk back over medium heat and whisk in the chocolate until it is deliciously creamy.