Because it's the holidays, I'm sharing my magnificent #HotCocoa#recipe that I totally stole by combining a couple recipes online and some of my own know-how from my glory days as a barista.
Here's how it's done:
Heat 1 cup of milk (I use Oatmilk because lactose can't handle me 😎), either in the microwave if you're feeling lazy or on the stovetop while stirring constantly until desired heat. If you like it cooler, I would recommend making it pretty hot so the cocoa mixture will dissolve well and then allowing it to cool. Ideally, you wanna shoot for heating the milk to ~160F, but you can go as hot as 190F-ish without scalding it if you are attentive and keep stirring. By the time you drink it, it will ideally be cooled to around ~135F, or to preference. (Editor's Note: I'm sorry I don't speak metric--not because it's not a better system, I'm just an ignorant American.)
In a mug, combine 2 Tbsp granulated sugar, 1.5 Tbsp cacao powder (very fine raw cacao powder is best, but if you have acid reflux, you can totally use dutched cocoa powder or just Hershey's cocoa powder if it's what you have on hand, though it may not combine as smoothly), and a pinch of salt (table salt is cool, but kosher sea salt is 💸). Mix thoroughly.
-Pour 1/4C or less of the hot milk into the mug AS you are stirring with a fork (if you try to use a spoon, I will know and your nose will fall off). Stir until it's as smooth as possible, then slowly add the rest of the milk while continuously stirring.
Add a tiiiny splash (maybe 1/2 tsp at most?) of vanilla extract OR peppermint extract (don't use both, it's overwhelming) and stir it in. Optionally, you can stir it in with a cinnamon stick or peppermint stick and leave the stick in That'sWhatSheSaid.
Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and--optionally--sprinkle a bit of pumpkin pie spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, allspice, cloves, etc.), OR cinnamon, OR cardamom, AND/OR microplaned dark chocolate/tiny shavings AND/OR a fancy little drizzle of chocolate sauce. Don't overdo it with the garnish. Keep it light, keep it fun, keep it breezy. The cocoa is the star of this show.
And THE MOST important thing: make it with love. Pour your soul into the artistry of the process, trust your instincts, and believe in yourself. You can do this, I know you can. You are a shining light in this world and you can do anything you put your mind to if only you are tenacious enough to persevere. I love you.