By Olivia Wong

It’s a chilly December evening. You’re all wrapped up in your gloves, your thermals and the bulky Winter coat your mum bought you last Christmas but you’re still shivering. There’s a bite in the wind. Perhaps you’ve just done your Christmas shopping. As you walk past your local Costa Coffee on your way home, you decide the elements have worn you down sufficiently and you give into temptation. So you pop in, peruse the menu and order a Terry’s Orange Hot Chocolate, taking a sip and savouring how it warms you up from the inside as you bravely venture back out into the wild Winter.

Ok, perhaps Winters in Manchester are not that wild. Nevertheless, with the cold nights now upon us, we at the Research Hive would like to extend the festive spirit until the end of this year and bring our lovely readers some much-needed home comforts in the form of some delightful hot drink creations. Let’s be honest, after everything 2020 has thrown at us, we all deserve it! Tighter restrictions means more time for trying out different recipes and perfecting our Winter warming craft! After making your own Starbucks / Costa / Caffe Nero (delete as appropriate) -style drinks from the comfort of your own home, make housemates or family and friends envious by sharing the fruits of your labour over Zoom. Every cloud has a silver lining (think of the money you’ll save too)! So, as we prepare to hunker down for Christmas, let’s put on our loungewear, lift our collective spirits and count down to 2021 in style with these hugs in mugs!

Minty Hot Cocoa Float – 24th December

The Ancient Greeks would rub mint on their tables to welcome guests. While they were known to be a wise bunch, we’re not sure about the effectiveness of this dubious ritual – the Ancient Greek equivalent of ‘My, what a lovely minty smell you have in your home’ were probably words never uttered. But why not take after the Ancient Greeks but welcome in the new year, instead using mint in a more direct way? Treat yourself to this divine drink-dessert fusion, combining hot chocolate with a generous scooping of mint ice cream. It’s quick and easy yet Instagram-worthy. The perfect blend of freshness and sweetness. Is there a better flavour combination than mint and chocolate?

How to make (ingredients in bold; total time: 5 minutes)

• Mix 4 tsps of Cadbury’s Instant Hot Chocolate Cocoa Powder with hot water
• Top with ¼ cup of mint chocolate chip ice cream and a sprig of mint (if desired)

For extra decadence, add whipped cream, chocolate sauce and sprinkles!

P.S. Fancy a chance at winning a £10 Costa gift card?

Have a go yourself, take a picture and send us your Winter Warmer creations on Twitter @UoMHive or email me (jason.chu@manchester.ac.uk). We’ll be publishing a different hot drink recipe every day so try your hand at one you fancy!

The winning picture will be randomly selected from all entries received. Closing date for entries is 8th January.

(Feel free to make and submit as many different Winter Warmer drinks!)

Winter Warmer # 1: Minty Hot Chocolate Float

Winter Warmer # 2: Nutmeg and Orange Xmas Coffee

Winter Warmer # 3: Snowman Eggnog

Winter Warmer # 4: Terry’s Chocolate Orange hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 5: Matcha Latte

Winter Warmer # 6: Ginger Pear tea

Winter Warmer # 7: After Eight Peppermint hot chocolate

Winter Warmer # 8: Mulled Apple Juice

*Bonus Winter Warmer* : Turmeric Milk with Honey and Ginger