chocolate break

My desk is now thoroughly stocked for the cold weather season: gummy vitamins, hand cream, and emergency packets of hot cocoa. But there are days when powdered mix just doesn’t pack enough of a chocolate punch. I crave the richness of the recipe from scratch, made with hot milk and chocolate, straight up.

Thank goodness Starbucks got it just right with their new Signature Hot Chocolate. I don’t know if it’s the four “distinctive” cocoas or the fresh steamed milk, but the European-style iteration is definitely my new cure-all. I’m especially in love with the Salted Caramel flavor, which strikes that perfect balance of salt-tinged sweetness. For a truly European chocolate experience, try the Hazelnut.