The weather in Los Angeles has been crazy…we have had so much rain this year that we are officially out of the drought-yay! The best way to cure the rainy day blues is to curl up under a blanket with a hot cup of cocoa, but not just some ordinary cocoa…red wine hot cocoa! This is a recipe I’ll be making not just for rainy days in the future!
5 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups fruity red wine, such as Merlot, Shiraz, or Zinfandel
Cinnamon sticks and additional cocoa powder, for serving (optional)

Red Wine Hot Cocoa Ingredients
Whisk the chocolate, cocoa powder, and cinnamon together in a large saucepan
Add the milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until hot and smooth, about 5 minutes
Stir in the salt
Remove from the heat and add the wine
Optional step: Pour hot cocoa through sieve to catch any powder that did not mix thoroughly when whisked
Divide among 8 small glasses or mugs, garnish with a cinnamon stick and a dusting of cocoa powder, if desired, and serve

- 5 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder or hot chocolate mix
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 quart (4 cups) whole milk
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups fruity red wine, such as Merlot, Shiraz, or Zinfandel
- Cinnamon sticks and additional cocoa powder, for serving (optional)
- Whisk the chocolate, cocoa powder, and cinnamon together in a large saucepan
- Add the milk and bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until hot and smooth, about 5 minutes
- Stir in the salt
- Remove from the heat and add the wine
- Optional step: Pour hot cocoa through sieve to catch any powder that did not mix thoroughly when whisked
- Divide among 8 small glasses or mugs, garnish with a cinnamon stick and a dusting of cocoa powder, if desired, and serve