Hot Chocolate Is Even Richer When You Make This Simple Swap

Hot chocolate is the ultimate seasonal treat. Coffee and tea are old staples, and mulled cider can hit the spot, but there really is nothing better than wrapping your hands around a sweet, steaming mug of cocoa. The one issue is that not every cup is created equal, and while it's pretty difficult to make the sweet drink taste bad, there is definitely a big range in flavor when it comes to hot chocolate. If you're after a more indulgent result, there is one easy swap you can make: Use half-and-half instead of milk.

Half-and-half is made with whole milk and cream, giving it a decadent texture without making it overly thick like whipping cream. It gives hot chocolate a much fuller mouthfeel and provides a creamier, richer finish that will give any cafe version a run for its money. All you need to do is warm it up and stir in one of your favorite hot cocoa mixes. For an even better drink, follow our ultimate homemade hot chocolate recipe and substitute half-and-half for milk — an equal amount should work.

If a big cup of half-and-half sounds a little heavy, you can mix it with milk in a 50/50 split or just stir a little bit into your finished hot chocolate once it's in the mug. You'll still achieve that luxurious texture without the drink being too cloyingly rich. When poured in last, it can even help cool the temperature of the hot chocolate a little before sipping.

The most important step to ensuring a creamy result is to use real chocolate, rather than just relying on the right liquid alone. Powdered hot chocolate mix has been stripped of most of its cocoa butter, so it creates a much thinner drink. Real chocolate has more cocoa butter, making it better at thickening, and providing a deeper, more natural flavor. 

You can also control the taste of your hot chocolate by making your own chocolate base. Semi-sweet or dark chocolate can be used for a sweetness level that's less intense, meanwhile white chocolate can be stirred in for the opposite result. If you want to stick to store-bought mixes, try to at least buy a high-quality option, like Guittard Grand Cacao Drinking Chocolate, which was Consumer Reports' highest rated hot chocolate.

A pinch of salt can coax out the flavors of hot chocolate further, while some hazelnut or vanilla extract will round things out. Peppermint is also lovely in hot chocolate during the winter season, as is orange extract. For an adults-only version, there's always Irish cream to add even more richness. If you don't have half-and-half, or cream to make some, try adding melted butter into the milk. Whatever you do, just do your homework on the milk versus water debate. Your cup will thank you.