Hot Chocolate with a Twist

One of my favorite writers here at Associated Content published as article yesterday entitled How To Make Real Hot Chocolate And Hot Cocoa. What a timely publication! I've been inspired to share my personal penchant for Hot Chocolate or Hot Cocoa. Warning - this may be hazardous to your health. I gained fifty pounds following my taste buds through the chilly nights one season. It wasn't easy to lose. Continue only if you have remarkably strong self-control.

I always seem to surprise restaurant workers with my creative use of menu items as base for my own inventions but I seldom am able to get creative with the beverage menu. I have, however, found an exception on most coffee house menus.

One particular day earlier this fall I entered a local coffee shop for the first time. It had a "New Owner" banner with balloons floating above it and my bus wasn't due for about 15 minutes. I was thirsty and curious. I had to wander in and check it out.

Now - please let me explain myself before all you avid followers of my writing scream FOUL! Those of you aware of my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - that's right, I'm Mormon - are probably wondering why I confess to entering a coffee shop. First - the church has set no ruling about where I can buy my beverages. Second - the church has not outlawed Hot Cocoa. Third - most coffee shops offer a wide variety of beverage and pastries that appeal to the average Mormon.

That being said, I went in to see if they would willingly fill an order for my-uncommonly-off-the-beaten-path-personal-concoction-of-a-Hot-Chocolate. Actually, I was more interested in sharing my scathingly brilliant idea with the new owner so she might benefit thereby. Additionally, when I've been bored in the past, this activity has provided great entertainment. The folks at Starbucks all gathered around each morning when I entered to discover what strange combination I'd request.

I invite you to try this adventure yourself; the next time you enter a coffee shop. Stand back away from the line assembled to order and take a look at the flavoring syrup bottles all lined up before you. Imagine the combination of a steaming hot cup of chocolate with a dash of, for example let's say, blackberry syrup. Top that off with a good dollop of whipped cream and leave the lid off. Let your mind, your nose and your tongue imagine the ecstasy as you inhale the sweet aroma and sip the steaming brew.

So, back to the newly opened Java Joint at my bus stop. I asked the lady if she was "game" for a special order. She had one customer seated with his latte and no one in line.

She responded, "Sure!"

I asked her to make up her equivalent of a Vente Hot Chocolate but add in a Vente sized pour of Blackberry Syrup. The look on her face was priceless. It resembled that look when one imagines a night with a well-experienced lover. That look conjures up a new commercial. "This is Zen-wrapped-in-Karma-drowning-in-chocolate-stirred-with -blackberry-good."

She caught her breath and squealed with delight. She had joined my adventure!

"Oh," she said, "that's sounds so good."

She pulled the bottle from the shelf and asked if I could name other syrups I might have tried. Before I began, she added the syrup to the steaming mix at her machine and drew back with that look again.

"My, my," she continued, "this even smells so fine."

"Which syrups would you suggest or have you used before", she said, gesturing at the alphabetic line of Torani syrups above the counter.

It became obvious that it would be quicker to list the ones that could never be palatable. Watermelon, apple, grape, lemon, lime came instantly to mind. Once I'd warned her of those and others she had on the shelf, I further elaborated with the awesome double combinations that were possible. My personal favorite is coconut and almond in steaming hot chocolate. (Almond Joy, anyone?)

I plan to return to that little store later today or tomorrow to see if they've added my ideas to their menu board. I might need to demonstrate the benefit of offering their cream-cheese-muffins along with a hot cup of cherry-and-cheesecake-flavored-hot-cocoa-with-whipped-cream-on-top.

Before I close, I thought I'd add the list of Torani syrups so you can exercise your own imaginations. Picture a cup of Judith's hot chocolate or hot cocoa, straight off your stovetop. Before you picture yourself taking that homemade, strongly scented, hot chocolate out to sit and sip slowly in front of a roaring fire, beside your Christmas tree, in a fuzzy robe and warm slippers - imagine adding any of the following flavors.

Before I leave this article, I might add that some Instant Hot chocolate (using the recipe from Judith or store bought envelope), along with a bottle or two of Torani syrups, plus a mug and a good book makes an incredible gift basket for anyone. Search the Clearance section at any bookstore for the book. I like to add "Twas the Night Before Christmas" for my co-workers.

Happy creativity and may your concoctions stay off of your hips!

I invite you to share the combinations you invent or the brand of syrups you suggest by adding your comments below!

Here's the Torani list for your consideration:

Almond
Almond Roca®
Amaretto
Anisette
Apple
Apricot
Banana, Creme de
Black Currant
Blackberry
Blueberry
Boysenberry
Butter Rum
Butterscotch
Cacao, Creme de
Caramel
Chai Tea Spice - NEW!
Cheesecake
Cherry
Chocolate Bianco
Chocolate Biscotti
Chocolate Macadamia Nut - NEW!
Chocolate Milano
Chocolate Mint
Cinnamon
Coconut
Coffee
Cranberry
Creme Caramel
Eggnog, Italian*
English Toffee
French Vanilla
Ginger Spice
Grape
Hazelnut
Huckleberry
Irish Cream
Kiwi
Lemon
Lime
Macadamia Nut
Mango
Maple Flavor - NEW!
Melon
Menthe, Creme de
Orange, Mandarin
Passion Fruit
Peach
Peppermint
Pineapple
Pink Grapefruit
Pomegranate
Praline
Pumpkin Spice
Raspberry
Root Beer (Classic)
Strawberry
Tamarindo
Tiramisu
Toasted Marshmallow
Toasted Walnut
Vanilla
Vanilla Bean
Watermelon