These Hot Chocolate Hacks Will Make You Love Winter

Go homemade

Sure, those packets of cocoa seem easy and accessible, but resist the call of the chemicals, as real cocoa delivers not only superior taste but amazing health benefits as well, since it’s rich in antioxidant flavanols, which improve circulation, boosting cardiovascular health and cognitive function. You could go with Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa powder, but consider gourmet cocoa with a higher percentage of healthy dark chocolate. “I would start out by ditching the mix and making your own—equal parts high fat cocoa powder and granulated white sugar,” says Claire Smyth, lead pastry chef of The Kitchen Bistro in Chicago.