Do you need something to spice up your winter? Well here is what I do to keep warm and cozy. Hot chocolate is great but by the middle of winter I start to get bored with it. In order to keep things interesting I come up with things to add to my hot chocolate. Here is what I have tried and loved so far. Verbena is my very favorite; it adds a tropical aroma that warms my soul.

Preparation Time: 5 Minutes

Cooking Time: 10 Minutes

Total Time: 15 Minutes

Ingredients:

1 tablet of chocolate "Abuelita"*

4 cups organic milk

Whipped cream

Organic brown sugar (sprinkle)

Verbena leaves

Optional:

Ground Cinnamon

Peppermint stick

Orange peel

Directions:

Melt one tablet of chocolate "Abuelita" in 4 cups of milk over medium heat. Stir with whisk until the tablet is dissolved. Add fresh verbena leaves and simmer and whisk for about 5 minutes. Watch that it doesn't scorch. Remove from heat. Divide among 4 mugs, top with whipped cream, sprinkle with light brown sugar, and garnish with a small verbena leaf,

* Tip. You can substitute fresh VERBENA LEAVES with ORANGE PEEL or GROUND CINNAMON or fresh PEPPERMINT STICKS.

* You can find Chocolate "Abuelita" in any grocery store – look in the Hispanic food section.