Always Free Shipping!!

Grubmaster's Hot Chocolate Mix

by Richard White II March 06, 2018

Sure, you could get store-bought hot chocolate, but what's the point of that.

Store-bought hot chocolate (SBHC) is made in a factory somewhere, and yes it checks the box for providing a hot beverage at the camp-out. But is SBHC what you want to serve to your hard-working, 15-mile hiking, mountain repelling, exhausted trail mates? I say NO. Besides if you use SBHC, what would you have learned? There was no planning or preparation involved. As an afterthought, you ran into the grocery store, grabbed the first bucket of instant hot chocolate on the shelf. There was no preparation or planning, just grab the bucket and go. No consideration for the true power of hot chocolate, its power to bind trail mates one to another. No SBHC is not worthy of you or your trail mates.

As grubmaster, you have a moral obligation, let me repeat that, “A Moral Obligation” to your trail mates, to ensure they're well fed with flavorful crafted meals and beverages. This obligation extends even to the hot chocolate you serve. You must bring your Hot A GAME, even for Hot Chocolate. Were you a mere, junior grubmaster, still boiling water for ramen noodles, by all means, get the SBHC. But YOU are not a mere mortal grubmaster. You are a Master among grubmasters. Your trail mates clear their calendars for the month when it's rumored, you might be attending a campout. Bears hibernate early, so they're well rested when attempting to reach your spice repository suspended high above, in the bear bag. When you're scheduled for grubmaster, the C.I.A strongly considers opening a campus near your camp kitchen, as a camp cooking master class.

Grubmasters, know it's not just a cup of hot chocolate, it's the glue binding the stories shared in the light of the campfire. It's the cement supporting lifelong friendships built while reflecting on personal struggles and shared triumphs. No, your hot chocolate isn't an afterthought beverage at the end of a meal, your hot chocolate is to be savored with good friends. Your hot chocolate connects us all through the light and smoke of the campfire.

The Grubmaster Hot Chocolate Mix is the base of your perfect cup of hot chocolate, start here then make it your own. Keep this mix, or your own as a great make-ahead staple to your grubmaster toolbox.

Tell us in the comments, how you made it your own.

Ingredients

3 1/3 C. Powdered Milk
1 1/2 C. Sugar
3/4 C. Cocoa powder
1/2 tsp Roasted Ground Cinnamon
1/4 tsp Pumpkin Spice
1/4 tsp Cardamom
1/2 tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Malt Milk
1 Tbls Vanilla Extract

Directions: At home

Combine all ingredients except Vanilla
Scoop into a tight-sealing storage container or freezer bag.

Direction: When ready to drink

For each desired cup combine 2 - 3 Tablespoons of mix + 1 mug of water or milk
Add water or milk to a pot
To ensure mix dissolves, add the mix to the cold water or milk and stir
Once dissolved, bring water or milk to a near boil
Add Vanilla
Serve Hot and Enjoy!

This complete recipe makes approximately 10 servings (8 oz cups) of hot chocolate. You can also make individual servings, with a mug of milk or water and 2 - 3 Tablespoons of the mix.

Bonus: If you have the ability to keep milk cold, using milk instead of water really ups the flavor.

BTW, did you know that each YAK now includes an Ugly Mugz to remember your nights of adventure?

Till we see each other again through the smoke of the campfire.