Winter's Silver Lining

Despite being a Canadian, I loathe winter.  Hate everything about it.  The cold, the snow, the freezing rain, the nerve-wracking driving, the practical boots, the layers, the slush ... I could go on and on.

Not being a lover of winter sports or anything else about the season, I am hard pressed to get through the deep freeze with a smile.

But I will concede that there is one silver lining.  A fabulous, chocolaty silver lining:  Hot Chocolate.

We already know I like my hot chocolate with a kick because nothing beats warm Bailey's. And I started thinking I've not yet shared with you my very favourite hot chocolate picks for this chilly time of year.

I can assert this with a great degree of confidence as I've tried every hot chocolate out there.  Every. Single. One. It's a mighty tough job but someone has to do it.

If you are snowed in and can't get thee to your nearest barista to satisfy winter cravings, then your best bet for an at home mug of sweet, smooth warmth comes compliments of Williams Sonoma Hot Chocolate or Peppermint Hot Chocolate.

It's pure chocolate shavings that you can whisk with warm milk into one of the most delicious hot chocolates you'll ever taste.  But, then again, it should be because it comes with a price tag that is anything but modest.  It's the old adage "you get what you pay for" and it's a fair indulgence because those powdery imitations don't begin to compare.

However, the hot chocolate I now drink 99.9% of the time is not one you can make on your stove top.  I first discovered Starbucks Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate  while visiting a dear friend in the US this fall.  I was hooked at the first sip.  So hooked that I couldn't get it out of my head until we landed back in TO and I promptly went straight to a nearby Starbucks to see if was just an American phenomenon.  I squealed, actually squealed, to learn that it was readily available here.

The salty name puts some folks off at first blush but once you try it, there is no turning back. I defy you to find a comparable, quality, savoury, hot chocolate anywhere.  There just isn't one.  And they haven't given me a single free cup encouraging me to say that to you.  Although they really, really, really should since I've spent all my spare cash there weathering the winter storm.

So bottom's up my friends.  Wrap both hands tightly around your mug and enjoy.

Comments

[mark]

wow!when I was in chicago i tasted this williams sonoma hot melted chocolate. it tastes yummy...
I am great admirer of this hot chocolate.
this chocolate is worlds best i ever tasted.
I was hooked at the first sip of it.if possible please make it a rose flavoured or rum flavoured chocolate it would be wonderful.
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[cuite1886]

wow! this hot chocolate is yummy! i love it along with that it had mouthwatering appearence.
cutie
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[bea]

Salt and caramel are the perfect combination. "The Cookie" at Milestones is covered in the same salty caramel ... mmmmm.

[Gabriella]

Ok I'm trying this tomorrow at work!

[No Mother Earth]

I'm very fond of the Starbucks Expresso Truffle Hot Chocolate.

[Soapstone Woodstove]

A hot chocolate always keep y body and mind full of energy. It also help soothes my soul.

[Josh McGuire]

Hello! Great website! I love chocolate and I know you all do too. So I thought this would be a excellent place to share my healthy chocolate. Do you all know the benefits of unprocessed dark chocolate? Check it out at my website, www.mxi.myvoffice.com/joshmcguire

[Mary-LUE]

My SIL gave me some of the WS hot chocolate for Christmas. Oh my was it ever yummy. Now I keep trying to recreate the experience. Fortunately, I am fond of Starbucks signature hot chocolates... AND if you add an espresso shot, it is called an espresso truffle--and it tastes that good.

Mmmmmmmm......

[Leslie Anderson]

I adore chocolates especially dark chocolates. Who doesn't? I can’t think about life without these sweets.

[christina kinnaman]

Speaking of drinking chocolate ...I have an amazing chocolate smoothie recipe for Valentine's Day (ok, ANY day!)
This is from a new cookbook called Luscious Chocolate Smoothies (available on Amazon $10) -- Yummy!

love potion

yield: 4 cups

1 cup chocolate low-fat soy milk
1 banana, in chunks
1 teaspoon tequila
¼ teaspoon árbol chile powder
6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, melted

1. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix on medium for 1 minute.
2. Pour this love potion into tall glasses and serve to someone who lights your fire.

per cup: Calories 296; Protein 4 g; Total Fat 15 g; Saturated Fat 9 g; Carbohydrate 36 g; Cholesterol 2 mg

[philippine grocery]

Is there any of this in a grocery? of course there it is,it so delicious!

vee

[lesson plans]

Uhmm, this is so delicious. What's the yummiest choco?

[Ping Tree]

I would like to grab one!
Looks really delicious.

[Oshkosh Computer Support]

Christina Kinnaman, thanks for the recipe. :)

[Nursing apparel]

YUM YUM
oh i just love chocolate specially a hot choco! too bad for me, my sugar is getting higher. *sigh*

[Learn Golf Here]

Wow!..yeah, I love chocolates so much...any food that goes with chocolate.hmmmm..so yummy!..well,thanks for sharing the recipe Christina,i'll try it sometime.

[Andrea]

Hi...Just dropping by in here... :-)

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Excellent blog about Visualizing Patterns and Trends in Scientific Literature – What’s next? Chaomei Chen!! I love all the articles you have, you have done an excellent job with the information on them.!!!

[chocolategifts]

hot chocolates can relax our busiest mind,It brings relaxation.

http://www.misscranstons.com

[chocolatesgifts]

I like hot chocolates,very refreshing and good for our health too......

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