A Nice Cuppa

Nothing makes me happier on a fall day than venturing into my neighborhood Starbucks and being welcomed so openly. This visit, my two SB workers were both happy and excited to be there… I had a discussion with them for a few minutes about how awesome the barista and I looked in glasses and thereby named ourselves “The Glasses Ladies.” So impressive were we, we convinced the cashier that he should be a Glasses Lady for Halloween. Why can’t every retail encounter be this pleasant?

But besides my lovely banter with the Starbucks employees, I think I might have found a new fall drink to replace my previous favorite: the Signature Hot Chocolates.

I like hot chocolate… a lot… especially in the fall and the winter, but I don’t like my chocolate to be too bold and overwhelming. And this one did not disappoint - especially since it’s made from four different cocoas, real vanilla, cocoa butter, and non-fat milk (though I wouldn’t say no if they made it with whole milk.)

When the first drop of the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate hits your tongue, you are surprised at the hint of chocolate that does not feel like a powdery mix, but instead tastes of melted chocolate stirred to perfection with a copper whisk by a man in a chef’s hat. As that taste scoots to the back of your tongue, the front is presented with a creamy, buttery caramel slipping back and forth making you a very happy drinker.

Now don’t let salt in the name scare you off… Salted Caramel is something I’m seeing more and more of in the candy world. But it isn’t overwhelming at all. In fact, it’s so subtle, if you didn’t know it was added, you’d never know it was there. But, to me, it does take off some of the sugary edge. And I, personally, like a salty sweet combination… I have M&Ms in my popcorn, I like maple syrup on my bacon… clearly I live a very healthy life.

Well, I do at least live a “healthy” enough life that I could not drink two of the hot chocolates in one day… the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate was too lovely and rich to attempt the Hazelnut Hot Chocolate just a few minutes later. So… darn oh darn… I had to go back the next day for another chocolate-y treat.

So on my second day in a row at Starbucks, my husband and I cuddle up in the corner - he with a plain ole hot chocolate and me with my Hazelnut. Hazelnut… one of my very favorite treats for my java drinks… was just as tasty in my hot chocolate. This one, a bit more grown-up than yesterday’s, would be more of a coffee drink, while the Salted Caramel is more of a dessert beverage.

The more I guzzle daintily drink my hot chocolate, I realize it should really be called a Hot Hazelnut. The rich hazelnut flavor is stronger than the chocolate itself, making for an original drink that Starbucks should really think about advertising that way. Hot Hazelnut… I would buy it in a heartbeat!

So as you walk the red and gold leaf strewn sidewalks of your town or cuddle up with your loved ones by a warm glowing fire, add a cozy, comforting hot chocolate to your mitten-covered hands to complete your dream fall day.