fedward, tumbling

Hot Chocolate for Grown-Ups

INGREDIENTS:

• 3 level tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons boiling water
• 6 ounces whole milk, as hot as you can get it without scalding
• 1 dash ground nutmeg
• 2 dashes ground cinnamon
• ground clove (see note below) 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 level tablespoon sugar
• 2 ounces Bourbon (Cognac or dark rum would also work)
• 1/4 ounce Cointreau (or Grand Marnier or other quality orange liqueur)
• Mini marshmallows

Place cocoa powder in a heatproof mixing glass.  Add boiling water and whisk until the mixture becomes a smooth paste with no lumps.  Add hot milk and whisk, using a spatula if necessary to unstick the cocoa paste from the glass.  Once fully mixed, add nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove if desired (use sparingly — the flavor can be overpowering, and you’ll end up with grit in the cup) Angostura bitters (see this post).  Add sugar and whisk until dissolved.  Add Bourbon and Cointreau, stir, and pour into mug.  Top with marshmallows.

Drink.