How do you dress up hot chocolate?

[bcla]

For some reason my kid has been asking about IHOP's Elf on the Shelf hot chocolate after seeing some commercials. So we finally got to one and tried one. $2.99 and tax got a small one that seems like regular hot cocoa mix with a dollop of whipped topping and red/green shimmering sugar pearls.

I wouldn't say I was disappointed since I knew kind of what it was, but I felt kind of ripped off. I thought maybe I could do something similar at home, only a lot cheaper. We don't usually use milk based hot chocolate - just common stuff like Nestlé or Swiss Miss that only needs hot water. Reddi Wip or the equivalent is easy enough to find. We figured with whipped cream topping that marshmallows were kind of pointless if they were just going to be covered up. I did find some donut style sprinkles, although I was thinking maybe sugar pearls or sugar sprinkles might look better. I guess a lot of coffee places use a dusting of ground cinnamon or cocoa power over whipped cream.

Last year, IHOP's Christmas special was based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas with green pancakes with a green icing topping and red candy hearts. For hot chocolate they had green whipped cream topping with the same hearts.

Anyone get creative with them? I guess this is a lot like decorating your own cookies, which I saw at my local Six Flags park. They also have hot chocolate, but sold as a cup with unlimited refills the first day (with a wristband) and then $1.99 each additional refill.

 

[LuvOrlando]

We discovered, during a blizzard, that parmalat makes the most amazing hot chocolate ever. My sons friends would line up.

Caramel drizzled over the whipped cream is fabulous

 

[ronandannette]

Spruce up your hot chocolate mix by using hot milk instead of water - it makes the world of difference and if you're so inclined, hitting it with a little vanilla or rum extract and a dash of salt will take it over the top.

 

[tcufrog]

I buy cinnamon sticks pretty cheaply at the local Indian store. My kids consider it a big treat to put one in their hot chocolate. Another fun thing to put in it is a candy cane or mint. I agree though about making hot chocolate with milk instead of water.

 

[bcla]

We discovered, during a blizzard, that parmalat makes the most amazing hot chocolate ever. My sons friends would line up.

Caramel drizzled over the whipped cream is fabulous

Yeah - that sounds a lot like any number of different coffee drinks I've seen with stuff on top of whipped cream. I was still grossed out by the Starbucks Unicorn Frappacino though. I got a sample walking through a Target store. I think that was pink shimmer sugar on top. That was fine but the drink was nasty.

What do you mean by "parmalat"? I think of Parmalat as the big Italian dairy company. At least in the US I've seen their shelf-stable milk, which has a slight caramel taste because of the UHT Pasteurization.

 

[Carol_]

I love this year’s IHOP hot chocolate. I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly surprised.
Mexican: add cinnamon
French: hot milk with cocoa and sugar stirred stovetop. Old school and delicious. Take it up a notch with half a shot of Chambord when it’s nippy outside.

 

[wenrob]

For some reason my kid has been asking about IHOP's Elf on the Shelf hot chocolate after seeing some commercials. So we finally got to one and tried one. $2.99 and tax got a small one that seems like regular hot cocoa mix with a dollop of whipped topping and red/green shimmering sugar pearls.

I wouldn't say I was disappointed since I knew kind of what it was, but I felt kind of ripped off. I thought maybe I could do something similar at home, only a lot cheaper. We don't usually use milk based hot chocolate - just common stuff like Nestlé or Swiss Miss that only needs hot water. Reddi Wip or the equivalent is easy enough to find. We figured with whipped cream topping that marshmallows were kind of pointless if they were just going to be covered up. I did find some donut style sprinkles, although I was thinking maybe sugar pearls or sugar sprinkles might look better. I guess a lot of coffee places use a dusting of ground cinnamon or cocoa power over whipped cream.

Last year, IHOP's Christmas special was based on How the Grinch Stole Christmas with green pancakes with a green icing topping and red candy hearts. For hot chocolate they had green whipped cream topping with the same hearts.

Anyone get creative with them? I guess this is a lot like decorating your own cookies, which I saw at my local Six Flags park. They also have hot chocolate, but sold as a cup with unlimited refills the first day (with a wristband) and then $1.99 each additional refill.

My son got this when we were in Anaheim last week. DD got the “regular.” They could taste no discernible difference even though the Elf one was supposed to be marshmallow flavored. Being across the street from Disneyland I think we paid $3.99 for the kid size. They did say it was better than the one they got at Flo’s the day before.

We use whole milk when we make it. The kids like to add marshmallows and candy canes. I like whipped cream and maybe a little Bailey’s or Kailua.

 

[bcla]

I love this year’s IHOP hot chocolate. I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly surprised.
Mexican: add cinnamon
French: hot milk with cocoa and sugar stirred stovetop. Old school and delicious. Take it up a notch with half a shot of Chambord when it’s nippy outside.

I am doing this for my 9 year old.......

 

[wenrob]

I am doing this for my 9 year old.......

Well make sure it’s close to bedtime then....

 

[disneychrista]

A shot of Fireball Whisky.

 

[ronandannette]

I love this year’s IHOP hot chocolate. I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly surprised.
Mexican: add cinnamon
French: hot milk with cocoa and sugar stirred stovetop. Old school and delicious. Take it up a notch with half a shot of Chambord when it’s nippy outside.

Maybe a 1/4 shot for the kids if you're not sure how they hold their liquor.

 

[Dead2009]

I risk it for the biscuit by having it plain.

 

[Moliphino]

Usually just whipped cream or marshmallow Fluff on top.

 

[marthachick]

I make homemade hot chocolate with whipping cream instead of milk and a touch of vanilla flavoring. Top with whipped cream.

 

[Twilight Sparkle]

Sometimes we add a bit of Bailey's and top it with whipped cream. Did so today while decorating the tree.

 

[jlmarr]

A shot of Fireball Whisky.

Keep it in the family ... Kahlua.

 

[disneychrista]

Keep it in the family ... Kahlua.

I’ve done that too. But the cinnamon and the chocolate together YUM! I have a bottle of vanilla jim beam that I want to try in hot cocoa but I’m not supposed to be drinking so haven’t. Maybe for Christmas.

 

[Heather07438]

Believe it or not, a pinch of cayenne is sooo good in hot chocolate. Even the kids liked it when I used to bring it in a thermos for peewee football practice at night when it was freezing out.

I like to buy the Dark Chocolate versions of nestle or swissmiss because at least you can taste the chocolate. And lotsa milk, we use 3/4 milk, 1/4 water. Sometimes a pinch of cinnamon and vanilla. Ok, I'm off to the kitchen right now

ETA- Last time they didn't have Dark Chocolate hot cocoa, so I bought regular. Added some baking cocoa powder. Bingo! yummmm, it's good.

 

[Bianca and Bernard]

When I was visiting my DD#2 in California last March, we went to a place that had hot chocolate and shakes all done up.

http://www.cremeandsugardelmar.com/
I had the smores hot chocolate.

 

[ronandannette]

I love this year’s IHOP hot chocolate. I didn’t expect much but was pleasantly surprised.
Mexican: add cinnamon
French: hot milk with cocoa and sugar stirred stovetop. Old school and delicious. Take it up a notch with half a shot of Chambord when it’s nippy outside.

That's how my DMom always made it (before the days of instant powder) and how I occasionally made it for my DS when I wanted him to be able to "taste the love" in it.