Warm Yourself Up With A Hot Chocolate Party

Kimball Fontein|

After a summer full of long, hot days, the leaves are starting to change, the sun is setting much earlier, and the thermostat is dropping more and more. Thus, cozy sweaters and afternoons spent lying by the fireplace with a book and a cup of hot cocoa are just about here. These lazy afternoons can only be improved by including those you love, so instead of spending every Sunday curled up in that faded sweatshirt that you refuse to get rid of, invite a few friends over and spend the afternoon making hot chocolate.

There are many different kinds of hot chocolate to experiment with, from the rich and creamy French hot chocolate to the chile-charged Mexican version. Each kind has its own traditions and special treats to pair along with it. For instance, the Belgians love to enjoy cut up bananas, strawberries, and chocolate-covered biscuits with their creamy hot chocolate.

So make a few kinds of hot cocoa for all of your friends to taste and judge which is their favorite. You can even try coming up with your own recipe to enjoy for your next lazy afternoon.

Here are some delicious recipes to get your tasting bar started: 

We all know hot chocolate wouldn't be complete without toppings — whipped cream, marshmallows, and hot chocolate make the perfect combination of sweet deliciousness. Be sure to have lots of these fun toppings as well as chocolate sauce on hand for those sugar lovers.

To get even more creative, have your guests make their own marshmallows. Here is an easy recipe.

http://www.thedailymeal.com/homemade-marshmallows

Hot chocolate has been adapted constantly to fit the local trends. In New York City, Serendipity 3 offers a frozen hot chocolate, while countless restaurants offer alcoholic versions of the childhood treat.

However, the classic, American hot chocolate will always fill your heart with warm memories of coming in from an afternoon in the snow. With a home full of friends and mugs full of hot cocoa, even the coldest day will feel bright and comforting.

 

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