Whether you call your favorite warm drink hot chocolate or hot cocoa, December 13th is the day to make your favorite variety of this yummy drink this winter season. Happy Hot Chocolate Day (National Hot Cocoa Day) is the perfect time to try new warm drink recipes, but it’s also perfect to find new ways to create your hot brew. I’m excited to pair with Keurig® to review their Keurig® K250 Coffee Maker brewing system.

Celebrating Hot Chocolate Day with My Keurig® Coffee Maker

I love coffee and tea and I always have a coffee maker ready for when guests come over! I was excited to see Keurig 2.0 Brewing Technology® can make hot chocolate, apple cider, and even my favorite teas! Take a look at how versatile the brewing system is and how you can celebrate Hot Chocolate Day too!

No more packet hot cocoa! How to make hot chocolate:

My daughter loves hot cocoa but I’ve never been a fan of the powder mixes as it seems like the powder never dissolves correctly. I either get the bubbles of mix at the top or I get the thick residue at the bottom of my cup. What I love up the Keurig® coffee maker is the K-cup pods that mix everything for you, so every cup comes out perfectly mixed, ready to drink.

Here’s a few winter favorite K-Cup® Pod Flavors to try:

For Hot Chocolate Day – Swiss Miss Peppermint Hot Cocoa
For Coffee Lovers that love peppermint – Donut Shop Peppermint Bark Coffee
For A Holiday Coffee Blend: Green Mountain Coffee Holiday Blend Coffee

This Hot Chocolate Day Enjoy your Favorite Hot Cocoa!

Whether you like yours with marshmallows, peppermint candies, or a shot of your favorite liqueur, celebrate this December 13th and the rest of the cold weather season with a Keurig® coffee maker. I loved being able to make hot cocoa for me and my daughter, and my hubby could have tea, and my in-laws could have apple cider and coffee. All in about 5 minutes!

Do you have a Keurig® coffee maker? Tell me what your favorite hot beverages are and how you will celebrate Hot Cocoa Day!

For more of our favorite drink recipes on Stagetecture, take a look at our archives.

Winter is almost over and spring is about to come with its freshness. It means lots of indoor and outdoor parties! Many of you might have been thinking of cold party drinks but this hot chocolate recipe is perfect for this time when there is still a chill in the air – neither freezing nor hot.

Party Drinks Ideas: Hot Chocolate with Coconuts

Image via: Diva Moms

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Ingredients

The preparation can be served to 4 persons

•    Half-and-half (3 cups)
•    Coconut milk or 2% milk (1 cup)
•    Coconut extract (1 tablespoon)
•    Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon)
•    Unsweetened cocoa powder (1/2 cup)
•    Kosher salt (1/2 teaspoon)
•    White sugar (1/2 cup)

For Decoration and Topping

•    Unsweetened shredded or flaked coconut (1/2 cup)
•    Marshmallows for topping
•    Whipped cream for topping
•    Frosting to rim the glasses or mugs

Image via: The Culinary Quest

Preparation

•    Put a saucepan over the stove at medium-high heat and whisk half-and-half, cocoa powder, milk, and sugar in it. Keep stirring until sugar and cocoa melt.
•    Cook for 5-10 minutes and remove the heat when the mixture starts to steam.
•    Stir in coconut extract, vanilla extract, and salt into the cocoa mixture.
•    Before serving, put a saucepan on the stove and set the heat at low. Add the shredded coconut into it and stir with a spoon. Toast until the coconut becomes golden.
•    Let them cool down and crush them to small flakes.
•    Take mugs or glasses and rim their edges with a bit of melted chocolate or some frosting. After that, gently press the coconut flakes on the rims.
•    Pour the mixture into mugs or glasses and dress up with marshmallows and whipped cream.

Image via: How Sweet Eats

Tips

This preparation may appear very rich and sweet to the taste of some people. In that case, reduce a bit of sugar and some half-and-half and add some extra milk. On the contrary, add a bit Kahlua, Baileys, or anything else if you want a richer and adult version of it. This party drink will be an instant hit in any party.

For more drinks and cocktails on Stagetecture, click here