Warm Up Your Winter With These Hot Chocolate Mixes & Add-Ins

Fall is already upon us and that means winter is close behind. As the weather begins to get chilly at night we all know what’s to come. Halloween will have most of the United States wearing light jackets and sweaters by sundown. Then Thanksgiving and Christmas promise to usher in very cold temps throughout the day and the night. At Redstone Foods, we can’t help but think of some delicious ways to warm up. Well, a nice cup of hot chocolate always seems to do the trick!

Whether you’re making homemade hot chocolate, or you go the store bought route, this warm, satisfying beverage is an enjoyable experience for all. Add a little whipped cream, some marshmallows, vanilla extract, peppermint oil, chocolate chips, caramel syrup with a pinch of salt or even a dark chocolate liqueur. No matter how you like it, this chocolatey drink can be made a variety of different ways!

The long history of hot chocolate drinks.

Hot cocoa drinks have been consumed by humans for thousands of years. Long before people began eating chocolate candy bars, cakes, cookies and brownies, our beloved chocolate was most commonly consumed as a hot beverage.

Ancient Mayan civilization is believed to have created the first chocolate drink around 2,500 – 3,000 years ago. In fact, solid chocolate that you can eat is a relatively new invention. The very first chocolate bar wasn’t invented until 1847 by Joseph Fry. Before this time, chocolate had almost exclusively been consumed as a beverage.

As far back as 1,500 B.C.E the ancient Olmec civilization domesticated the cacao tree and harvested the pods and seeds, with the latter being roasted and ground into cocoa powder. The cocoa powder would be mixed with water, local chili peppers, toasted corn and possibly a few other ingredients to be used as a drink in ceremonial gatherings.

Unfortunately, this drink would be considered unpalatable by today’s standards. It was not the sweet, creamy hot chocolate that we know and love today. Rather it was a bitter, chalky beverage that the Mayans and Aztecs believed had health benefits. It contained caffeine and was a good source of calories and antioxidants. Drinking this concoction would often lead to a quick boost of energy, so they believed it had some medicinal value as well.

After Spanish settlers arrived on the continent, they brought the cacao beans back to Europe with them in the 16th century. The Spanish ruling class found the drink too bitter, so they started experimenting with different additions to the beverage which included honey, sugar, cinnamon and other spices. This made the drink much more enjoyable. Still, this wouldn’t resemble anything close to the hot cocoa drinks we typically enjoy today.

With all of this history behind chocolate drinks, it’s safe to say that humanity has partially evolved along with it. In 1827, the Dutch chemist Coenraad J. Van Houten invented cocoa powder which helped bring chocolate to the masses.

With nearly two centuries of experimentation with cocoa, there has been a seemingly infinite number of possibilities people have come up with to enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate. At Redstone Foods, we have a variety of candy, snack food and drink products that are inspired by hot chocolate. There’s even a hot chocolate flavored bubble gum!

Check out these popular hot chocolate inspired products!

Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

The expert chocolatiers at Ghirardelli have taken their elegant milk chocolate and turned it into a velvety smooth hot chocolate drink. This expertly-crafted drink mix combines the high quality chocolate Ghirardelli is known for with the perfect blend of cocoa, sugar and vanilla for a perfectly balanced taste.

This is also super easy to make. Just warm up some milk on medium heat, then add in the cocoa mix and enjoy! You can order stand-up pouches in wholesale quantities on our website here.

Ghirardelli Chocolate Mocha Premium Hot Cocoa Mix

Yet another fine addition to their lineup, Ghirardelli’s Chocolate Mocha Premium Hot Cocoa Mix combines their delicious chocolate with a hint of coffee for a one-of-a-kind flavor. A cup of this pairs perfectly with a good book by a fireplace on a cold winter’s night.

Valentine Hot Cocoa Heart Melts

Hot chocolate bombs are all the rage nowadays. These hollow chocolate hearts are filled with dry cocoa mix and marshmallows for an instant, delicious treat! Just place into your favorite mug, pour over some hot milk and watch them explode into a cup of delicious hot chocolate with all the fixins!

These Valentine’s Hot Cocoa Heart Melts by R L Albert & Sons, Inc. come in a two pack, so you and your special someone can enjoy a sweet, frothy cup of chocolatey love! These will make a fantastic gift for Valentine’s Day!

Gnome Mix Holiday Hot Chocolate

This cute little Santa Claus gnome is here to give you a holiday filled with chocolatey cheer! The Gnome Mix Holiday Hot Chocolate is the perfect stocking stuffer, and will definitely put a smile on someone’s face. Or, you could just give yourself a holiday treat with two individual servings per bag. We promise, we won’t tell anybody!

Ovation Break-A-Parts Hot Cocoa & Marshmallows

These fun chocolate balls are made to be broken, then eaten! Simply smash the package on a table, or with your fist, unwrap and enjoy twenty pieces of chocolatey marshmallow goodness!

Each slice of chocolate encases a smooth marshmallow filling which melts in your mouth. It tastes just like a cup of hot cocoa. Eat as is, or they make a great add-in to any hot beverage. These are available for order in wholesale on our website, here.

Frankford Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bomb

Elevate your hot chocolate experience with Frankford’s Peppermint Hot Chocolate Bomb. Turn any dreary winter day into a festive celebration with a splash of peppermint infused Belgian chocolate and marshmallows. Frankford also offers these hot cocoa bombs in milk chocolate and salted caramel flavors!

Big League Chew Hot Chocolate Bubble Gum

See, we promised you hot chocolate flavored bubblegum earlier, and we delivered! This fun twist on a timeless classic offers a delicious seasonal twist on the classic baseball themed chewing gum. You can aspire to hall of fame greatness with this one-of-a-kind shredded bubble gum that tastes just like a mug of hot cocoa!

This gum is made in the USA and can be the ultimate stocking stuffer for the baseball fan on your list this Christmas. You can order these in wholesale quantities from our website, here.

How ever you enjoy your cup of hot chocolate this winter, just know that you have plenty of options! Whatever way you decide to warm up this winter, please keep us in mind for all of your store’s candy, snack and craft soda needs. Our holiday lineup is second to none and we have over 6,000 unique products that will be sure to grab your customer’s attention!

For holiday specific items, our website shows in-stock items, which keeps you up to date for last minute seasonal items. This means you'll be able to keep your shelves full and keep up with that last minute demand. Shop with us today! You'll be glad you did.

If you have any questions about our product lineup, shipping estimates or order fulfillment status, feel free to give us a call! Our customer service representatives are always happy to hear from you!

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