Lately, our favourite thing to do at night is go look at Christmas lights. Now that we live in a city again, it’s much easier to find rows and rows of houses all lit up within walking or driving distance. On warmer evenings, we bundle up in our cold-weather gear and head out for a brisk evening walk, trying to find the most decorated houses in the neighbourhood. It always brings me back to my childhood, especially when I see the huge, old-school multi-coloured light bulbs that my dad used to put up every year. It’s amazing how something as simple as Christmas lights can transport me back to when I was four.
On chillier nights, we jump in the car and explore other neighbourhoods we don’t normally venture to. This usually involves a couple sad-but-true experiences: 1) we eventually get lost in a maze of neighbourhood streets, and 2) Eric drives down streets we’ve been down before and acts like we’re seeing the lights for the first time. I don’t have the heart to tell him he might be senile at the ripe age of 30. It happens.
There is one thing that sucks some of the joy out of this experience though, aside from those ear-piercing modern Christmas songs that make their way onto my holiday music radio station. Our aging car takes a painfully long time to start cranking out the heat, so the first part of the drive is always bone-chilling as we sit there shivering like crazy people, wondering why we thought it was a good idea to leave our warm house. Suddenly, Sketchie’s plan to stay bundled up under his favourite blanket seems like a very good idea.
The other night, I was sick of freezing my buns off so I decided to bring along some of this creamy hot cocoa in a couple thermos mugs. It was the perfect warming drink to sip on while I squealed like a 6 year old girl at all the lights and we fought over which colour and type of lights look the best. It never gets old.
Ultra Creamy Mocha Hot Cocoa
Yield
3 cups
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
A can of light coconut milk and freshly brewed coffee/espresso transform normal hot cocoa into a creamy, decadent cup.
Ingredients
- 1 cup freshly brewed coffee (use decaf, if preferred)*
- 1 can light coconut milk
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder, sifted
- 3 tbsp pure maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- dash of fine grain sea salt
Directions
- Whisk together the coffee and coconut milk in a medium-sized pot. Bring mixture to a simmer and reduce heat to low.
- Sift in the cocoa powder, whisking quickly to incorporate until no clumps remain. Whisk in maple syrup to taste and a dash of sea salt.
- Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla. Serve immediately with vegan marshmallows and/or sugar-rimmed glasses or mugs. Store any leftovers in a glass jar in the fridge.
Tip:
This hot cocoa doesn’t have a super strong coffee flavour, so if you are looking for more coffee flavour, feel free to add more as desired. I used espresso beans and made it in my French Press just like traditional pressed coffee.
Nutrition Information
(click to expand)
On a very, very sad note today, my thoughts and condolences go out to those lost and their families in the tragic Connecticut school shooting.
I loved reading this post! You and Eric sound like such an adorable couple…”senile at the ripe old age of 30″…sounds about the way I feel about my boyfriend sometimes! (Except he’s only 23!)
I’d love to do exactly what you guys do and whip up this delicious cocoa and go Christmas light gawking!
It’s finally approached ‘Winter’ weather here in Florida (meaning the low is 45 Fahrenheit!) so I have my excuse to binge on hot cocoa now – can’t wait to try this!
I’d be glad if there would not be winter weather here… ;) I can give you some of our snow!
That cocoa sounds a-maz-ing!!! I guess I’ll have to clean out my coffee pot now…lol.
The school shooting is soooo very sad and Connecticut is already a gun controlled state. Just goes to show that laws mean NOTHING to criminals and crazy people and that gun control is only for the law-abiding citizens.
I’m baking cookies with my best friend on Monday and I will definitely be making this cocoa. Do you think it will work with vanilla almond milk instead of coconut? Thanks!
Oh for sure..I meant to write in the recipe that you could sub almond milk nicely too. Enjoy!
Yum! This looks amazing! We haven’t gotten out to look at the Christmas lights yet, but I’ll be sure to make this for us when we do :)
Reading this post transported me to those countless Christmas Eves that my dad and I would spend driving around, admiring the lights and decorations when all of a sudden we would get the call that Santa was at the house. With me frantically bouncing around in the backseat, my dad would hurry home, only to find that, yes, we missed him again this year. (But look at what he left us?!) It is traditions like that that keep me going through the chilly holidays and it looks like your hot cocoa will be a nice addition :)
Mmm! That looks so yummy, and I can’t wait to whip some up :) You are very brave to wear that beautiful white coat with a cocoa based drink! I am a klutz, and I’m sure before I even made it to the car that I would have managed to get a spot on me.
My family and I drive around to see Christmas lights every year! Only, we are wearing flip-flops, Lol. But today we had a low of 57 today. Oh no! Get out the mittens! :P
If I want to use almond milk in place of the coconut milk, how much do I add?
I think there is 1.5 cups of coconut milk in 1 can, so I would probably add that amount and you should be fine.
Oh I enjoyed a few Christmas seasons on the beach in my swimsuit, so I can relate to the flip flops thing. I lived in FL and GA for 4 years of my childhood.
I live in Oakville as well and every Christmas Eve we make sure to stop in this one neighborhood on the way home from my parents because they go all out. They line the streets with paper lanterns and pretty much every house is done up beautifully. If you and the hubby get the urge, it’s the gigantic houses that back unto the Glen Abbey Golf Club at Upper Middle and Dorval, I think it’s Monastery Drive. Hope you make it out and enjoy!
Thanks for the tip…maybe we will come across it on one of our drives. We saw a super decorated house in Oakville somewhere (or maybe it was Burlington). I don’t recall where it was exactly but I posted a pic of it to my Instagram.
I had all the ingredients on hand, made this immediately. It is so yummy and creamy! And quick! Thanks for sharing such a delicious recipe.
Hi Haley, I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for sharing!
Coffee and chocolate are always a deadly delicious mix. This drink sounds amazing!
My husband and I like checking out the Christmas lights as well and we recently bumped into a really beautiful story at one of the houses here in San Diego.
A couple that has an autism child has the most amazing Christmas lights show:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxTpsrDf5lI
The little boy is in love with Christmas lights since he was young, therefore, his father put this together for him. So amazing!
*autistic child
Sketchie looks so cute!
Hehe I thought my husband and I were the only dorky ones who liked to wander around checking out the Christmas lights =)
That drink sounds like a great idea actually! I don’t drink coffee so I will work on adapting it.
It is very unfortunately about what has happened in Connecticut… so very sad.
We like to drive around and look at the lights too, my kids look forward to it every year. In our town there is a HUGE display at my place of employment. We went to the lighting ceremony this year. My oldest dd video’d it on her phone, lol.
The hot cocoa would’ve been perfect that night, it was SO cold!
I have been looking for a vegan hot cocoa recipe, so I cannot wait to try this! :) Thanks!
That hot chocolate is a winner. It is nothing like a warm drink on a cold winter day, that is for sure. :)
Mmm this sounds so delicious!! Isn’t it funny how Christmas lights can be equally as interesting, no matter if you’re 3 or 30? I was just in California for work and it was so funny to see all the same Christmas decorations that we have here on houses down there… only next to palm trees!
Mmmmmm this looks delicious! I will definitely be making this ASAP! Thanks Angela!
Hey, Angela! Thanks for the recipe, I think you totally read my mind. I’ve been looking for something like this for a while. :) If we use almond milk instead, how would you suggest thickening it to be more like the coconut milk?
You might be able to add more cocoa powder or even chocolate? Cashew cream? Almond milk is fairly thick on its own so I’m sure it will still be tasty, just maybe a bit thinner.
My boyfriend has such a fascination with lights (of all sorts, not Christmas lights in particular), so I certainly take advantage of that during the Christmas season. I love the idea of bringing along some hot cocoa – it would definitely make for a more festive experience, and being warmer is always a plus!
do you have a homemade vegan marshmallow recipe? i have to drive all the way to organic garage from Milton to get my hands on any, which makes it even more expensive!
This was SO good, tried it last night! I love that every recipe on your blog is dairy free! Such a relief to not have to make adjustments and then wonder how it turns out.
I want to have this right now! ;)
Yesss delicious!! WIll be making this. Hot chocolate and coffee drinks are so awesome in cold weather
By the way my folks live in LA and have two dogs (shelter rescues) and their dogs have that EXACT same blanket seen in the pic with your cat. They had a red plaid version of that blanket too, it got donated to an animal hospital in SAnta Monica. Small world…randomly identical blankets and such hehe:D
By the way I heard your blog won some Veg Award or something, dunno exactly what that is but congrats!!:)
This looks amazing! I love coconut-based hot cocoa. I’d love a big mug right now! Your recipes always look delicious. I’m looking forward to trying some out soon!
Super excited to try this creamy mocha hot chocolate! Thanks also for sharing Angela, I love your site, and the recipes you’ve posted. Look forward to many more to come!
I love this recipe! My cat Piago would appreciate it as well (he has been known to sneak a lick or two of coffee when no one is looking!)
And I love the way you turned a chilly moment into a warm cozy one.
I just made the move to Cali from Chicago this summer, and I’m already missing the frigid winters…can you believe it?! Well, it is 35 degrees here tonight, so I might need a cozy moment! Thanks for sharing!
our cat tries to drink beer but I dont think he’s ever gone for coffee! I know what you mean about missing the cold weather this time of the year…I felt the same when we lives in FL and GA for a few years. I wish it would just go away once Jan 2nd hit!
I hear ya Angela! After the festivities are over let the bathing suits roll in because I’m ready for summer!
This looks amazing I will have to try this. I’ve been lacto-vegan for a week and feel great. I am having a really hard time getting off the milk for my coffee. How’s coconut milk in coffee? And do you use maple syrup as a sweetner? Cool!
xo
Sharon
Hey Sharon, I personally use almond milk in coffee….it’s so creamy! Ive never been big on coconut milk in my tea or coffee but I know some who like it. I dont use sweetener in my tea coffee but maple syrup would be really nice.
I make a similar version with almond milk but no coffee. I’ll have to try that! Also, where did you get those delightful glass mugs? They’re lovely.
That sounds delicious.
Your photo of Sketchie makes me want a cat, and makes me miss the neighbourhood cat that we “share” until she stops coming around in winter (when she probably becomes an indoor cat).
try adding a tablespoon or two of liquor to it if you’re ever going to have it chilled. its divine!
That is a really cute idea, what you two do. I hope that one day you carry it as a tradition to your future potential kids’ lives. You can never go wrong with a hot drink to warm you up on a cold night, though it is very brave of you to get in a cold car too! Hahaha, I’m such a baby about the cold. Putting some ginger powder and cinnamon in hot cocoa seems create heat in my body, which is great too!
This was so good, I made it last night, along with your gingerbread with spiced buttercream frosting, and both were SO delicious. I am heartbroken over the CT tradgedy, and I thought it was so thoughtful of you to add that to your post. You seem like such a kind person. Merry Christmas :)
Mmm was just thinking of how I haven’t had a mocha in forever!
I love walking in the neighbourhoods looking at all the pretty lights.
This looks so wonderfully delicious–perfect for this rainy, cold Sunday. I’m making it tout de suite!
Looks amazing! Missing some holiday recepies though Angela. Since you’re my favourite blogger i would love some
You guys sound just like us. I love looking at Christmas lights and you’ve reminded me that we haven’t dedicated a night to doing that only yet this season. That is going to be rectified tonight. Time is running out! (Oh yeah and I’m taking some of this yumminess with me!)
I will be making this! Looks amazing!!
Just made this for a treat tonight as I finish up some work and OH MY GOODNESS! This is really delicious. It is the perfect blend of chocolate and mocha… and not too bitter or sweet. I’m hoping my husband (who doesn’t like coffee) will love this one too. Thanks for sharing this awesome recipe. It will be my go-to hot chocolate recipe for the season!
Im so glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for letting me know :)
Hubby loved it too… its a keeper!
yummy! I was wondering what I would have for hot chocolate this year.
Oh, my gosh! Coconut milk in hot chocolate?!? How *BRILLIANT*!!! Why have I never thought of this before?!? I also just adore driving around looking at Christmas lights! It really is so much fun. Now that I live in the middle of nowhere, it’s really hard for us to just drive around the neighborhood and check them out. Sad, but true. Also, what kind of kittles is Sketchie? He’s so beautiful and snuggly!
I love how coconut milk makes rich, decadent hot chocolate without the need for cream. Beautiful photos, Angela!
This is such a great holiday cocoa recipe. I’m lactose intolerant so I appreciate the use of light coconut milk. Can’t wait to make it!
Very yummy. Tried it with almond milk. Great afternoon pick-me-up!
I love hot chocolate, I can’t wait to try this recipe! I’ve been just heating up chocolate Almond Breeze in the microwave as a substitute up until now… it tastes great, for those who are interested in giving it a try :). Merry Christmas and thanks for the great recipes!
Wow….that mocha looks delicious! I rarely use coconut milk……do you think it would work with hemp milk, which seems creamier than almond or soy milk?
I was looking for a dairy-free hot chocolate, as my partner follows paleo (despite my pleading; as a biologist and geneticist, I find most of paleo “science” is utter crap). I was sceptical, because last time I made a drink with coconut milk it was HORRID, and was certain I’d be throwing this down the sink. Was so thrilled when it turned out to be one of the most delicious hot drinks EVER. So happy to have something to drink during Australian winter, cheers!
What about replacing the coffee? It might seem crazy to some, but I haven’t drank coffee in years. I don’t even keep it stocked in my pantry. If I’m expecting company I will go out and buy just enough fresh grind for my guests. So what can I replace it with in the spur of the moment if I don’t want to run out can buy coffee?
almond milk or black tea might be nice?