Composing Harmonious Hot Cocoa

As the weather turns wet, I find comfort in a daily ritual: hot cocoa.  A perfect cup of hot cocoa is simple, with high notes of sweetness and deep notes of warmth.  It is a treat, yet nutritious.  Learn proper cocoa theory with the following notation.

Ingredients:

1 cup (8 0z.) organic whole milk
0.5 tsp. organic vanilla extract
1.5 Tbs. fair-trade unsweetened cocoa powder
pinch of salt
splash of cold water (about 1 Tbs.)
(optional) 1 Tbs. raw sugar (or to taste)

1. Set your milk to high heat.  We don't want it to boil, or it will grow a thick film on top.  The next few steps should come together before it reaches a boil.

2.  Stir the vanilla extract into the milk.

3.  Pour the cocoa powder and salt into your mug.  Also add sugar if you're using it.  I find the milk adds sweetness enough though.  Add a splash of cold water and mix together to form a cocoa paste.  Making this solution eliminates those floating cocoa globs and intense bottom dwelling cocoa sludge. 

4.  Pour your steaming hot milk over the cocoa paste, and whip with a whisk or a fork until the cocoa paste is introduced to the whole mug of milk. You could sweeten with a little whipped cream at this point, or even crechendo to a whipped cream and shaved chocolate finish.