Need a last minute gift for a foodie lover, a coffee lover, a chocolate lover?  How about a lover of all of them?  Then I have a quick, easy and oh so tasty gift for you to make!  I use my favorite hot chocolate mix-Starbucks.  To this I add cinnamon and Garam Masala. Yes, you read right. I want to put “write”-I like bad puns now from too much time around my husband!

Garam Masala is an Indian spice mix.  It can vary as much as curry mixes do.  Epicurious describes it as “the Indian equivalent of French herbes de Provence or Chinese five-spice powder. The recipe changes from region to region within northern India and can be varied according to whim.”  I couldn’t have said it better.  Coriander is usually the first ingredient, after that it can vary from black pepper and cumin to red chili and dried mango. If you have used this mix before than you know what I’m talking about.

I’ve made an Indian Spiced Peach Crisp using Garam Masala. I took this to my best friend’s house for dinner.  Her somewhat finicky husband loved it.  This mix plays so well with both sweet and savory dishes.  I encourage you to try this with anything you would normally spice with just cinnamon.  It’s that good!

Not sure?  Just make one cup to taste.  To 2 cups of brewed coffee add: 2 heaping Tbs of your hot cocoa mix, 1/2 tsp of ground cinnamon, and 1/8 tsp of Garam Masala. Stir well and then stir in your milk or non dairy drink.

I found the best way to make this is in my French Press.  I add my mix to the coffee before I add the hot water and then stir it well before I let it steep.  This lets the flavors infuse even better.  It also presses out the floating spices (for those a bit more finicky about seeing stuff in their mocha) so you have a smooth cup of delicious bliss.  Pour in your cup and add milk, cream, soy, almond…whatever your into. So good!  So easy!

If you use the big can of Starbucks Hot Cocoa mix you can easily make 3-4 gifts.  My recipe is for a full can. Adjust as desired.

1 can (30 oz) Starbucks Hot Cocoa mix

2/3 cup ground cinnamon (good quality)

3 Tbs Garam Masala

In a large mixing bowl, combine  and mix well.  A whisk is the best thing to use for a good mix.  Put into air tight storage jars.  Label with directions.  Give to someone special (save some for yourself too)!  Happy Holidays 🙂