A Practical Use for Whipped Cream Flavored Vodka

I love Twitter.  Without it, I would not have known that today is National Hot Cocoa Day.  How that didn't  make it onto my social calendar I'll never know.
Since tomorrow I embark on a 24-hour all-clear-liquid diet (vodka's a clear liquid, right?) before my, er, procedure Thursday, I'm kind of celebrating in a "last meal" type of way.  Except I haven't had anything to eat since lunch.
But hey - who cares - onto some hot cocoa to warm my soul and help me sleep!

The family-friendly version:

The adults-only version:

The recipe, taken from the side of the Hershey's® cocoa container, was the same for both versions.  That way I could let HRH have some but not worry that one of you will call CPS.

Hot Cocoa with an Adult Version, if so Desired
adapted from the Hershey's® recipe vault

• 1/4 cup cocoa powder - I prefer to use the dark cocoa, if you can find it - it's tastier (in my opinion), and everyone knows that dark chocolate is better for you, so when you use the dark powder, it becomes a health drink, too.
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• dash of salt - I use Real Salt for most everything that calls for a dash - it's got a great flavor on its own.
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 4 cups milk (confession - I used some half and half, too)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Pinnacle whipped vodka

Mix the cocoa, sugar, and salt in a medium pot.  Add the hot water and stir over medium heat until boiling.  Boil and stir constantly for two minutes.
Add the milk and heat through.
Remove from heat and add the vanilla.

HRH was excited to help me.  It's been cold and rainy all day, so it really is the perfect evening to curl up with a big mug of cocoa to watch Dora's Christmas Carol.  Or whatever your 3-year-old decides is way better than White Christmas or Miracle on 34th Street, like you suggested (I'm not sure why she thinks that Dora can out-sing Bing and Danny, but whatever).
Once HRH's portion was ladled into her cup, I added the whipped cream vodka.  One capful to my cup. It tasted lovely - rich and creamy.
Of course, for experiment's sake alone, I added another capful after the initial tasting.
Two capfuls is much tastier than one capful.
Three capfuls, though, might be a bit much - it depends on how much you like vodka, as that's when I started to taste the alcohol behind the creaminess of the cocoa.  It wasn't distracting, but you'll have to be your own judge from that point on.  I was content at about two and a half.  Because, you know, I totally measure things out.