The Art of Hot Chocolate: A Heartwarming Winter Ritual

Ingredients (serves two)

4 c milk of choice

2 shots espresso

1/4 c 100% unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 c sugar (1/4 c more if you like it sweeter)

1 cinnamon stick

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

pinch of sea salt (optional)

Method

Add cocoa powder, sugar, and espresso to a medium saucepan and whisk on medium-high until the mixture is silky. Whisk in the milk and add the cinnamon stick. Bring this mixture to a soft simmer uncovered and reduce. (If you want a thicker consistency, use whole milk, coconut milk, or condensed oat milk.) Before serving, add the vanilla extract and a pinch of sea salt, then stir. Pour into mugs and add your preferred toppings.

Topping Suggestions

Homemade whipped cream (to control the sweetness)

Marshmallows

Cinnamon

Chili powder

The Ritual of Hot Chocolate

There’s something magical about the ceremony of cacao: heart-opening, meditation-deepening, creativity-boosting. The origins of this beloved drink trace back thousands of years to the Olmec, Mayan, and Aztec cultures of Mexico and Central America. Cacao was revered as sacred—used in rituals, ceremonies, and as a gift to the gods.

While the hot chocolate we enjoy today has been sweetened and softened into comfort food, the ritual of slowing down and savoring it remains timeless. Preparing hot chocolate can still be an intentional act—a way to ground yourself during winter’s chill and find warmth in the dark. 

This recipe is my way of blending tradition and indulgence. It’s rich, silky, and customizable to your preferences, but it’s also an invitation: stir slowly, sip mindfully, and honor the moment.

Make your Hot Chocolate extra indulgent with a set of our vintage Holiday Mugs!