The best hot chocolate

Makes two servings of rich, not overly sweet, hot chocolate. You’ll never use those packages of hot chocolate mix again.

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup dark cocoa
• Pinch salt
• 1/3 cup hot water
• 2 cups milk (I use oatmilk)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• (Optional) Large glug of Disaronno, Cointreau, or other liqueur

1. Mix sugar, cocoa, salt, and hot water in a sauce pan.
2. Stir frequently (and into the “corners” of the sauce pan because the cocoa will want to clump there) until mixture comes just to a boil.
3. Add milk and stir until steaming hot but not boiling. Stand there and watch it. Think about something. Don’t pick up your phone.
4. Remove from heat, add vanilla and (optional) liqueur. Alternately, the liqueur can be added to individual mugs after step five.
5. Whisk until frothy.