Hot chocolate is perfect for savouring autumn’s gentle stillness | Cork Independent

Drinking hot chocolate on an autumn evening transforms a simple ritual into a sensory experience.

The warmth of the mug, the thick texture of the chocolate, the softly whipped cream and the not so optional mini marshmallows give way to the gentle, lingering sweetness to counter the crisp air and early nightfall.

For those precious moments, the outside world fades away, and you’re left with the quiet joy of warmth, sweetness, and a sense of contentment, perfect for savouring autumn’s gentle stillness.

For me, there’s nothing quite like a hot chocolate made with real chocolate, that is at least 50% cocoa solids, melted into a blend of warm milk and cream, topped with a swirl of whipped cream and, of course, a generous handful of marshmallows (a must in my book). Recently, on a whim, I picked up an artisan hot chocolate mix from Three Spoons in the English Market, flavoured with gingerbread spices. I thought it might be fun to introduce Miss Holly (8) to it.

With the certainty only a child can have, she informed me that Cadbury’s Hot Chocolate powder was the only true hot chocolate (a big no for me I must admit). And so, a blind taste test was born!

I set up five contenders: a ‘proper’ milk chocolate hot chocolate (dark wouldn’t have been Holly-approved); Cadbury prepared to instructions on the package; Butlers Milk Chocolate melt nuggets; the gingerbread spiced mix, and for good measure, a white hot chocolate.

Each mug was topped with whipped cream and mini marshmallows for consistency. To my delight, Miss Holly crowned the milk chocolate as her favourite, with Cadburys a close second. We agreed that Cadburys would do in a pinch, but that marshmallows were absolutely non-negotiable.

Mr T preferred the classic as well, and Holly’s dad favoured the white chocolate. The best part? Holly took her role as taste tester seriously, ready with her opinions when we discussed the results.

Now, I’m already brainstorming ideas for our next blind tasting adventure.

There’s a simple, almost magical pleasure in wrapping your hands around a steaming mug of hot chocolate on a dark autumn evening. As the days grow shorter and the chill sets in, hot chocolate becomes more than a beverage; it’s an invitation to pause, unwind, and savour the warmth from within.

Put your feet up (mine would be in woolly socks), put some relaxing music on and snuggle into your seat with a homemade hot chocolate.

Heat milk (or a mix of milk and cream) in a small saucepan gently over medium heat (you don’t want it to boil), take the saucepan off the heat and use as much milk or dark chocolate as you like (the more you use, the more ‘chocolatey’ the milk becomes and it will get thicker).

I used 50g per mug which I then melted in the warm milk. I didn’t use extra sugar as the milk chocolate is already sweet enough, but you might want to add it at this stage I you are using dark chocolate.

I tend to add a few drops of vanilla when I am making it just for myself but for consistency reasons, I left it out at the tasting session. And that’s how simple it is to make a hot chocolate at home.

All you have to do now is to relax and enjoy!