Spicy Grinch hot chocolate is the perfect indulgence to warm you up while adding an exciting twist to a classic favorite. Gather your mugs, chocolate, and a variety of tantalizing toppings to create a hot cocoa bar for your next gathering.
Celebrate with a Grinch-Themed Hot Chocolate Bar and a Spicy Hot Chocolate Recipe
I love a spicy cup of hot chocolate, and I also love the Grinch! Here are a few ideas for creating a Grinch-themed hot chocolate bar, accompanied by my favorite semi-homemade Spicy Hot Chocolate recipe.
Spicy Hot Chocolate: Create a Themed Hot Chocolate Bar
I have put together hot chocolate bars during the holidays for the last few years because everyone seems to love them. This Christmas bar was easy to set up because I had a Grinch painting and matching mugs. The Grinch painting came from a sip-and-paint event that I attended. The painting is a perfect centerpiece for a Grinch-themed hot chocolate bar.
Add a Variety of Tempting Goodies
I like to add a lot of items to a hot chocolate bar. Guests love all the choices and make some creative drinks. Chocolate kisses come in many flavors, including hot chocolate, so I always make sure to put those on the bar. I also add white chocolate chips and some squares of flavored gourmet chocolate, such as orange or chili pepper. I have found that many guests prefer a thicker chocolate drink, and adding chocolate and letting it melt provides them with the rich, thick chocolate taste they love.
Spicy Hot Chocolate Bar: Include Caramels and Sea Salt
I usually include caramels on a hot chocolate bar and a small bowl of sea salt. Have a knife handy if guests want to cut the caramels into smaller pieces for easier melting.
Spicy Hot Chocolate Bar: Add Fun Items
Add a mini grater with cinnamon sticks, fresh nutmeg, and chocolate squares. Guests love to grate fresh ingredients into their hot chocolate. I’m not sure if it is the taste they enjoy as much as the experience of grating ingredients on top of a swirl of whipped cream. And speaking of whipped cream, provide a couple of cans, as it goes quickly! Don’t forget to add a few spice jars with pumpkin spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, and coarse salt for those who like to shake instead of grating. Consider adding maple sugar, maple syrup, or chocolate syrup. Get creative because there are a lot of things that can go into hot chocolate!
Have a Variety of Marshmallows
It is fun to add shaped marshmallows such as these snowflakes (above right). You can usually find them in the holiday food section at department stores, cooking stores, or by searching online. Additionally, consider adding traditional mini marshmallows and crunchy dehydrated marshmallows (as shown in the heart bowl above). Guests enjoy the crunchiness of dehydrated marshmallows and will often nibble on them, whether with or without hot chocolate.
Flavored Marshmallows
You can also add flavored marshmallows to your hot chocolate bar. They come in flavors such as peppermint, vanilla bean, pumpkin spice, fruit, salted caramel, and cookie dough, among others. Check out The Fancy Marshmallow Company for lots of gourmet flavors.
Add Peppermint
There are usually some peppermint lovers in every crowd, so add some peppermint sticks and/or crushed candy canes. When crushing candy canes, they are best stored in an airtight bag. Try to squeeze out all the excess air, or they can absorb moisture from the air and become clumpy. Additionally, they are best crushed a day or two before use, as they don’t keep well over time.
Spicy Hot Chocolate: Secrets of Great Hot Chocolate
Use Milk Instead of Water
Start with a prepared hot chocolate mix to make a great cup of semi-homemade hot chocolate. Hot chocolate mixes come in glass jars, tins, and individual packets. Be sure to add hot milk to the mix instead of water. Most hot chocolate mixes are made with dried milk, but it takes more milk to make hot chocolate rich and creamy.
Use Quality Ingredients
Ensure that any add-in chocolate is genuine chocolate, not just flavored chocolate. Quality ingredients make semi-homemade hot chocolate into a real treat!
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| Prep Time | 5 minutes |
| Servings |
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- 2 heaping teaspoons hot chocolate mix or use a premeasured packet
- 8 ounces milk, whole or 2%
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- Pinch of cinnamon
- 1-2 squares Lindt Chili Dark Chocolate bar
- Whipped cream
Ingredients
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- In a saucepan heat the milk until it is steaming hot but not boiling.
- In a mug, place the hot chocolate mix, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, and a square of dark chocolate. Add the hot milk and stir until the chocolate is melted. Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cayenne powder, cinnamon powder, and another square of dark chocolate.