How About a Sweet Southern “Loaded” Hot Chocolate?

How about a sweet Southern Hot “Loaded” Chocolate? This is the drink that will delight any chocoholic with an extra little kick of somethin-somethin! This is a definite win on a cold winter evening when you want to wind down, but aren’t wanting a big desert.

What is your favorite “hot” drink with alcohol?

I never thought mine would be chocolate, but this Southern Loaded Hot Chocolate has to be right at the top of my list. The dark chocolate, instead of a milk chocolate really took it up a notch. The varying liqueurs really lend a lot of flavor, besides the little extra kick it gives.

How is this Southern Loaded Hot Chocolate different from regular Hot Chocolate?

Instead of just adding the 6 oz. of milk or water to the packet; I just used half the amount of water required. The other half of liquid is a mix of delicious liqueur’s. You can always add to or take away based on your taste buds, likes or dislikes. You have to decide on the type of chocolate mix you want to use, also.

Could you elevate the level of a Southern Loaded Hot Chocolate?

You could so take this drink up a whole other level by using grated chocolate and melting, or using a powdered cocoa and sweetening with confectioners sugar. Maybe I’ll make a future post on amazing homemade “hot chocolate.” Until then this is quite tasty even out of a packet and a bottle.

Now, just how do you decide which/what liqueur you want to add…

This was the hardest part for me, so I had the SCB give them all a try. He fancied a couple of them more than the others. I Kinda liked all of them, but there were a few that were better than the others. In the end, when I poured them all together and heated up for a few secs in the microwave…. It was the best! If you have some of these flavors on hand give them all a try. Let me know which becomes your favorite, or are you an all in kinda person, too?

Should you top your Southern Loaded Hot Chocolate or not?

It is too each his / her own. I did top with whipped cream and dark chocolate shavings. You could easily stick a candy cane in for more peppermint flavor. Crunched up peppermints on the top of whipped cream would work, too. Besides tons of other clever things could be just as delish! Caramel syrup drizzled over it, for another – okay, I’m stopping, because I could go on and on.

Now that you have a tasty drink, let’s find something equally great to snack on.

Ashley has taken one of my favorite ingredients, pumpkin, put it into two recipes that I believe would pair well with this sweet drink. Pumpkin is so good for us! Usually you can expect it not to be overly sweet. I tweak a lot of my recipes that call for it, and they have more sugar than I like, I sometimes will go with honey for at least part of the sweetener. If you don’t use honey for baking frequently, I will caution you to take note, it does not always work. Your amounts, cook time and texture may all have to be adjusted.

These 2 recipes are hits the way they are. I was just giving a little insight to my thoughts when I find recipes like these. The first is a Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookie. The next is a great one if you have friends and hanging out and want a little something different for a light, sweet snack. (I tried a new recipe this holiday for a homemade shortbread cookie that I believe would be perfectly paired with this. Maybe I will get that recipe out before long.)

Ashley does an amazing job of giving you all the health benefits of pumpkin in this piece that includes a recipe for a Pumpkin Dip Recipe. If I’m coming over, please leave out the pumpkin pie spice…hit it with a little cinnamon, but not the pps, nnnooooo…… But hey that’s just me. If you’ve tried my Southern Redneck Nog then you know I use only a little cinnamon – no nutmeg. Yep, spice lover of some, but not AT ALL of others!

12 Tipsy Day Recipes is Still Happening:

Check out the other recipes from this little segment I’ve been working on. Yes, they have not happened like I thought they would. The holidays have given cause to interrupt the timing of them. Total drink disaster days have happened, but I will finish ALL 12. It may be another few days, but I will continue. For a look at the previous check out the 12 Tipsy Day Recipes by clicking on the highlighted link.

What is your favorite way to have your Hot Chocolate…details, please & thank you!

It’s your turn in the comments below to tell me if you like yours loaded or not? Alone, with friends or someone special? Cold night only drink or daily morning ritual (unloaded, I’m sure) instead of coffee? I promise this adult version gives me a new appreciation, if I’m going to drink my calories any way!!!

What a tasty way to ship off a year! And decade!

XOXO

Trina