“Wake up. Come on…you can do this!” After a very long shift with complex patients, it was taking some serious self-talk to keep myself alert and focused. All I could think of was getting home and crawling into my bed, but first I had to get through briefing with the oncoming night shift nurses.
I sat heavily in my chair in the conference room, and suddenly this sweet and delicious smell arrested my full attention.
“Okay, staff,” the charge nurse began. “You all have had quite a night. To thank you for your hard work- and to celebrate National Hot Cocoa Day, I’ve brought a treat for all of you.”
She passed out steaming hot cocoa to each of us, and suddenly, I began to feel a little better. This was exactly what I needed to brace myself against the cold as I headed out to the parking lot.
Let’s Celebrate!
The Aztecs were on to something great when they harvested the cacao beans and created a delicious brew with them! Now what could be better in chilly December than a day dedicated to the rich, creamy, chocolatey goodness of hot cocoa? Personally, at Trek Healthcare Staffing, we’d be okay with a whole month of hot chocolate, but until that’s official, we’ll be enjoying our hot cocoa on December 13.
Whether you treat yourself or treat all of the nurses on your floor, there are many ways to enjoy National Hot Cocoa Day.
Try a New Recipe
For you purists, hot cocoa and hot chocolate are not exactly the same thing, though you will find their names used interchangeably. For it to be a hot cocoa recipe, you must start with a base of cocoa powder, which is made from the ground cacao bean. The resulting beverage is a thinner concoction, compared to hot chocolate, which begins with a solid piece of chocolate blended with hot water or hot milk and dissolved to make a thick, rich drink. If both sound delicious to you, just hold on until January, when hot chocolate will get its own holiday as well.
Hot cocoa is a relatively simple drink, but you can spice it up a in a variety of ways with your favorite secret ingredient. To that base of unsweetened cocoa powder, add sugar, water, salt, milk, half-and-half, and vanilla extract. While this is the basic formula, don’t be afraid to tweak it by adding maple syrup instead of sugar, or add mint extract, flavored syrups, or a favorite liqueur for the adults. Endless options and variations exist for stepping up your hot cocoa game, feel free to experiment until you’ve made your own perfect recipe.
For real fun on Hot Cocoa Day, set up a cocoa bar in the break room, complete with mugs, stirrers, and a host of delicious toppings. Try these crowd pleasers and watch an enthusiastic crowd rush to join in:
Marshmallows
Whipped cream
Sprinkles
Chocolate syrup
Caramel syrup
Peppermint sticks
Cinnamon
Ginger
Nutmeg
Chocolate shavings
If you want to try hot cocoa the way it was originally enjoyed, leave off the sugar and give it some heat from ground chili peppers.
Share with Friends
Every good thing is better when it is shared! Why not invite your colleagues for a surprise hot cocoa bar in the breakroom or at shift change? It’ll instantly bring a smile to the whole group and can be the start of a fun new tradition.
Where Did Hot Cocoa Originate?
As far as history has recorded, Montezuma II, powerful emperor of the Aztec people, was the earliest and most noteworthy fan of cacao, though he was certainly not the first to imbibe. Hot cacao was seen as the beverage of choice for nobles and warriors, and those who served in his army were given regular rations of pressed cacao, which they mixed into water to drink.
The Spanish conquistadors were awed by the vigor imbued by hot cocoa, noting that it alone was powerful enough to sustain a man for a whole day. If it could fuel a warrior, maybe it can supercharge your shift at the hospital too!
The Spanish took hot chocolate back to Europe with them where it was presented to their king, Charles V. The spicy chili peppers were omitted in favor of sweetening it with sugar, and essentially, hot cocoa as we know it today was established.
The hot cocoa trend began to spread across Europe, and by the 1700’s, its popularity was such that “chocolate houses” opened in many cities for friends to gather and enjoy hot cocoa and great conversation, just as we like to do in modern coffee shops. London alone had hundreds of these venues!
You may be hard-pressed to find a free-standing chocolate shop for the purpose of selling hot cocoa today, but you’ll find it on the menu in almost any coffee shop you visit, and with all the recipes on line and prepackaged mixes available in the supermarket, there’s no excuse not to enjoy warm chocolatey goodness, not only on National Hot Cocoa Day, but whenever your day needs a little lift..
Advance Your Career
While you’re relaxing and enjoying that frothy treat, we invite you to take a look at the new career opportunities awaiting you at Trek Healthcare Staffing. We help nurses (and other medical professionals too!) advance their career while seeing new places and discovering new opportunities. Does this sound like something you’ve been looking for? Give us a call today. We’d love to tell you more!
