National Hot Chocolate Day – January 31, 2023

January 31, 2023 Madrid

Few beverages are as deep-rooted in culture of Americans’ collective childhood quite like hot chocolate. This drink reminds us of raining days, skiing, sledding, or even a quiet day watching the snow fall. It’s thick, silky, toasty, and usually smothered in whipped cream—no other drink brings warmth to our lives and tastebuds quite like it. Cozy up with your favorite mug because on January 31, we celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day, a day devoted to our favorite chocolate beverage.

NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY TIMELINE

500 BC – Hot and Spicy Chocolate

The Ancient Mayans drank chocolate made from crushed cocoa seeds mixed in water and chili peppers.

1500s – Chocolate Gets Wanderlust

Explorer Cortez carried cocoa beans and tools for making it with him to Europe.

1876 – Milk Chocolate

Swiss Chocolatier Daniel Peter created the first milk chocolate by combining powdered milk with chocolate.

1961 – Swiss Miss

Popular hot chocolate manufacturer Swiss Miss started selling it’s first powdered it that could be mixed with water instead of milk.

NATIONAL DAY ACTIVITIES

Drink up

Indulge in your favorite drink by heading down to your local coffee shop or restaurant with your go-to drink. The truly best way to celebrate it is in all it’s chocolatey glory is simply drinking it!

Make your own marshmallows and whipped cream

Whipped cream and marshmallows are surprisingly easy to make. Marshmallows are a simple combination of gelatin, vanilla, sugar and corn syrup while whipped cream is just whipping cream beaten with sugar. Find a new recipe online and put your culinary skills to this easy test—you’ll have a tasty recipe to sweeten up your chocolate-y repertoire.

Host a hot chocolate sampler

Today there’s an endless array of it concoctions: Mexican hot chocolate, white hot chocolate, creme de menthe hot chocolate, gingerbread hot chocolate… you get the idea. Make the happy hour a sweet sensation with friends by preparing some quirky drink flavors—it’ll liven up everyone’s favorite winter sip.

WHY WE LOVE IT

It’s the perfect winter drink

When it’s cold outside, staying cozy by the fire with a mug of it between our hands is one of our favorite winter traditions. And let’s be real – when all you need is a little snuggle and warmth, this drink warms your whole body and tastes luxurious too!

It’s good for you

Chocolate contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and biochemical compounds—all of which help give our body a satisfying health boost. It even increase the microcirculation in your skin. Who knew it was an obsession that could be so good for our health?

It boosts your mood

When we drink it, its chemical compounds signal the brain to release endorphins and serotonin, which elicit our feelings of calmness. These neurotransmitters work to reduce pain and stress, keeping us worry-free and happy! It is clearly happiness in a cup.