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.
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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.
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.
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!!