I’m a bit of a chocolate snob. I grew up being offered- and consistently refusing- hot chocolate from a packet with hot water. It just didn’t taste…chocolatey. I couldn’t do it. I tried it with whipped cream and marshmallows and every brand available, and still, it just wasn’t something I could bring myself to drink.

While Bird and I were dating, he had flown from Los Angeles to visit me. I had gone in to work, but he knew I was sick. He, being the sweetheart he was, decided to grab a Starbucks hot chocolate for me to help sooth my throat. When he brought it in all bright eyed, I felt so bad I actually tasted it. And to my surprise, it was…good? From then on, I was a frequent Starbucks visitor just to get a hot chocolate, sick or not.

Fast forward to today, and I can say I no longer pull through that drive through because 1. Starbucks for all 7 of us is basically a mortgage payment, and 2. I can make it even better at home.

It took me some trial and error to get it just right. Creamy and sweet but not too sweet so that it overpowers the chocolate, and now I make it every time the wind starts to blow a cold chill into the air. My kids all gulp it down, and it’s just my favorite thing to sip by the fire.

What You’ll Need

This makes 4 servings, so feel free to multiply or divide it based on your own needs!

1/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa (NOT hot cocoa mix- the baking cocoa)
4 cups whole milk
1 tbsp vanilla

What You’ll Do

Add the sugar and cocoa to a sauce pan. Slowly pour in about a cup of milk and give it a good mix. You want to get these ingredients as combined as possible before you add all the milk in. It’s just going to save you a headache later. Add in the rest of your milk. Turn on your heat to a medium and warm it through. Once the mixture is warmed to your liking, add in the vanilla. Pour and serve.

What I really love about this recipe is that it uses things we almost all keep in our kitchens. There’s no melting of chocolate or the need for special ingredients like dried milk. It’s simple and basic, and you can dress it up easily. It’s also lovely with almond extract or peppermint!