Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Red Wine Hot Chocolate is the hit of the season. Martha Stewart called it 'spectacular'. Cosmo said 'the best of both worlds' and The Kitchn (recipe below) called it "the answer to your cold-weather blues."

I love cocoa aka hot chocolate, so adding my favorite Zinfandel or Merlot only elevates the cocoa. I've seen so many recipes this month, but really it's a matter of making your favorite hot chocolate, adding a bit of sugar and cinnamon, removing from the heat, and adding some wine! I usually add whipped cream or marshmallows, but that's optional! How easy is this? As always, use the very best chocolate and cocoa.

Here's an 'actual' recipe, in case you need it. This one is from TheKitchn, one of my go-to recipe sites. You can always cut the ingredients for fewer servings. This recipe is for 8.

Red Wine Hot Chocolate 

Serves 8

Ingredients
5 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 Tbsp packed brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups fruity red wine, such as Merlot, Shiraz, or Zinfandel
Cinnamon sticks and additional cocoa powder, for serving (optional)

Directions
Whisk chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon together in large saucepan. Add milk and bring to simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until hot and smooth, about 5 minutes. Stir in salt.
Remove from heat and add wine. Divide among 8 small glasses or mugs, garnish with cinnamon stick and dusting of cocoa powder, if desired, and serve.