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Wednesday 23 December 2015

The Hot Cocoa Files • It's All About Infusions






TRENDING: For The Love of Hot Cocoa, Infused or Spiked, A Great Ol' Winter Ritual, Slightly Tweaked, Now The HOTTEST NEW WINTER TREND!

Mmmmm, Hot Cocoa!.. 

A Great way to kick off the stilettoes and snuggle up to a mug!








So it's that winter chill!

And suddenly Iced Teas & Frozen Lattes, Smoothies & Slushies, get replaced by the warm & soothing, rich & creamy Chocolatey Mochas, Lattes & Hot Cocoa's that come to our chilly little rescues.

That nice warm mug creates a nice ambiance with just a hint of class, it's that great addition to any day.

A nice Hot Cocoa can spice up that much needed alone time, or ad to to a friendly visit, perfect for entertaining and a great way to Fab Things Up! 

This Hot Cocoa trend is a great reason to get out the fancy Candles, Tea Pots, and Mugs and create a nice Hot Cocoa inspired Atmosphere and Ambiance.

And now, 

With so many ways to Infuse or even Spike that Hot Cocoa, it's time to jump on bored and indulge in these new great winter trends, and relax in style!!! 

Hot Cocoa doesn't have to be plain Hot Cocoa any more! 







And though I still love a simple mug of just the basics, there are a lot of chilly days ahead, so why not spice them up?














Expanding the options and Beautifying the day... Such an affordable delight. 

It's these tiny little extras that set the tone with that fine squeeze of both class and etiquette.

So if your looking to jazz things up this winter, try a couple of these infusionable recipes paired a nice ambiance, and pethaps light snacks, or baked goods, Desserts - I love desserts! 

Ad a couple of table settings like tea pots or dessert trays to create a bit of elegance. 

And Voila! You've got your very own Hot Cocoa & Latte House, and something special to offer yourself or your guests coming in from the cold.








So today's article is about infusing HOT COCOA.. However these same ingredients can also be infused along with tea or coffee using the same process. 

At the end of this article in the BONUS I'm going to throw in my favorite Healthy Butter Latte Recipe as well. 

It's not exactly infused, but it is my favorite way, the only way to drink coffee. It can also the healthiest despite its name, providing you follow my recipe and use coconut oil and not butter ( thus the name Butter Latte )




ATMOSPHERE



First your going to want some really great mugs. It's all about the ambiance and mood you create to go along with you your steamy mug of delicious Hot Cocoa.







The bigger the mug the better! You can fit more yumminess in there.

Table settings create great atmosphere weather you are winding down on your own or entertaining.

Tea Pots and Candles can create a really wicked environment. Proper Tea settings are always nice when set out.

FENG SHUI  TIP : Center peices should be placed in items of 3 for good Feng Shui... ;) 

Infusion options can be set out, the option of a Spiked Cocoa or latte is again  also always very nice.



HOT COCOA RECIPE



• 2 CUPS COCOA POWDER, PREFERABLY ORGANIC || OR || CHOCOLATE PROTEIN POWDER

• TO EVERY 1 CUP ORGANIC SUGAR, RAW SUGAR OR COCONUT SUGAR


GRAB A MASON JAR, WERE MAKING ENOUGH SO YOU CAN EASILY GO FOR THAT HOT COCOA MIX AT LEAST A COUPLE MORE TIMES.

GRAB 2 AND MAKE A SECOND JAR FOR COMPANY SO YOU'LL BE READY TO ENTERTAIN

GRAB A DOZEN MASON JARS AND TIME THIS RECIPE TIMES 12, AND YOU'VE GOT  HOLIDAY GIFTS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!




DIRECTIONS


• 2 TABLESPOONS OF YOUR PREMIXED HOT COCOA POWDER PER MUG 

• ADD MILK, ALMOND MILK,  OR COCONUT MILK 

HEAT ENOUGH MILK, OR a HALF MILK, HALF WATER MIXTURE AS NEEDED FOR APPROPRIATE SERVINGS, IN A POT.

• HEAT BUT DO NOT BOIL.

TAKE THE  POT OFF THE STOVE  & TURN OFF THE HEAT.

• INFUSE YOUR ADDITIONAL INGEREDIENT FOR ONE MINUTE

• REMOVE ADDITIONAL INGERDIENT (EXAMPLE: ROSEMARY TWIG, TEA BAG, OR VANILLA BEAN.. )

• BRING POT BACK TO STOVE, ADD 2 TABLESPOONS HOT COCOA MIX 

• STIR OR/ WHISK & SERVE







INFUSABLE IDEAS


FRESH ROSEMARY TWIG
FRESH MINT
FRESH MINT
BLENDED RASBERRIES
BLENDED RASBERRIES & MINT
CINNAMON STICK
WHOLE VANILLA BEAN
THYME
FRESH LAVENDER
GINGER TEA
EARL GREY TEA
ANY FLAVOURED TEA
CARDOMIN
STAR ANISE







GARNISH IDEAS


DANDIED VEGAN MARSHMELLOWS 
WHIPPED CREAM
COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM MADE WITH COCONUT MILK 
MINT
CANDY CANES
SPRINKLES VANILLA BEANS
CIVNAMON STICKS, SHAVINGS OR SPRINKLE
MARSHMELLOWS OR TOASTED MARSHMELLOWS
MARACHINO CHERRIES
TRUFFLES

JUST IN CASE - VEGAN COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM RECIPE










SPIKED HOT COCOA'S


BLACK CHERRY BOURBON


http://www.sugarandsoul.co/2014/10/black-cherry-bourbon-hot-chocolate.html



ORANGE PISCO


http://www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/02/orange-pisco-hot-chocolate-recipe.html



EL DORADO


http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/el-dorado-hot-chocolate-recipe.html



IRISH COCOA


http://www.bettycrocker.com/recipes/spiked-irish-cream-hot-cocoa/dde01d26-8d9a-43d2-9bb4-344868183433



RED WINE HOT COCOA


http://immaeatthat.com/2014/11/24/red-wine-hot-chocolate/



KIT VON'S COCO CHANTINI - MARTINI RECIPE


• 1/2 OUNCE CREME DE COCAO -   BRAND
• 2 1/2 OUNCES VODKA
• 2 OUNCE HOT CHOCOA  MADE WITH ALMOND MILK ( REGULAR, GARNISHED OR INFUSED )

•ICE
•SHAKER ( Shake ingredients for 45 seconds )
•CHILLED MARTINI GLASS

♡♡♡ AS THE MARTINIS CONTINUE, YOU WILL WANT TO CHANGE THE RECIPE TOO ♡♡♡

•1 1/2 CREME DE CACAO
•1 1/2 VODKA
• ICE
• SHAKER

♡♡♡ I PREDICT YOU MAY SOON RUN OUT OF CHILLED GLASSES, OR THE ABILITY TO PRODUCE CHILLED GLASSES..♡♡♡









BONUS BUTTER LATTE


INGREDIENTS


  1. 1 TO 2 TABLESPOONS COCONUT OIL
  2. YOUR FAVORITE COFFEE, PREFERABLY ORGANIC


INSTRUMENTS & INSTRUCTIONS


  1. BLENDER - BLEND COFFEE AND COCONUT OIL TOGETHER FOR 45 SECONDS TO 1 MINUTE. THE BLENDING WILL COOL THE COFFEE TO A READY TO DRINK TEMPERATURE
  2. EXTRA CUTE MOOD ENHANCING MUGS
  3. ENVIROMENTAL AMBIANCE - CANDLES, TEA POTS, TEA SETTINGS, TOPPINGS, MINI PLATES & STIRRING SPOONS, FLUFFY PILLOWS, THROWS & FUR BABIES.


OPTIONAL


CINNAMON - HEALPS BOOSTS IMMUNE SYSTEM, FENDS OFF WINTER COLD, CLEANS UP MORNING SNIFFLES

THE CINNAMON CAN BE ADED TO THE BLENDER ALONG WITH THE COFFEE AND OILBEFORE BLENDING.

ALMOND MILK - NOT TO MUCH, JUST A SPLASH

SUGAR - PREFERABLY BROWN ORGANIC, OR COCONUT - AGAIN NOT TO MUCH, LIKE A PINCH OR 2


HEALTH BENEFITS


WHEN YOU TAKE OUT THE SUGAR AND CREAM, COFFEE IN MODERATION, IS ACTUALLY GOOD FOR YOU. IT'S ACTUALY THE CONDIMENTS WE PUT IN COFFEE THAT CREATE ADVERSE HEALTH BENEFITS,

BY ADDING COCONUT OIL YOU ARE ACTUALLY INCREASING THE HEALTH BENEFITS, TURNING AN UNHEALTHY DAILY ROUINE INTO A HEALTHY DAILY ROUTINE.

FOR THE BENEFITS OF COCONUT OIL REFER TO MY ARTICLE 17 WAYS I PERSONALLY USE COCONUT OIL

FEELING UNDER THE WEATHER OR AFRAID OF EVERYONE ELSE THAT MIGHT BE? DON'T FORGET TO ADD A DASH OF THAT CINNAMON TO CHASE AWAY THE WINTER BLUES. THIS IS GREAT TO GET RID OF MORNING SNIFFLES.



BEYOND SNIFFLES?


REFER TO MY ARTICLE I FLU YOU NOT NATURAL COLD & FLU REMEDY, AND WE'LL FIX THAT UP WITH A COUPLE OF LEMONS!








TEA INFUSED HOT COCOA




♡♡♡♡♡


As mentioned, I just love giant mugs!! So when I saw these super sized Godiva mugs at Shoppers Drugmart, I simply had to have them, they are just so freaking big!

They 're also a Christmas special, so if you love them as much as I do, nows the time to get them before the seasons over and they disapear!  



























Soooo I picked up these super comfy jammies from Walmart for 22.00, white tee $3.00..  Lol.. Who knew.. So Cute, So comfy.. It must just be the Season for Cuteness! 

Jammies are the best for drinking Hot Cocoa in Btw.  









KIT VON