When I was little, my papa used to call me ‘Kookie.’ We had this cozy little tradition—mixing a warm cup of cocoa with crushed Red Hots and a little orange zest. It was spicy, sweet, and totally ‘us.’ This recipe isn’t just a drink—it’s a memory in a mug.”

This recipe isn’t fancy. It’s not trending (yet 😉). But it’s mine. And I’m sharing it with you because I think we all need a little sip of comfort with a kick. So grab a mug, because you’re about to meet…

Kookie’s Cozy Chaos Cocoa: the sweet, spicy, citrusy hug in a cup.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup powdered hot chocolate mix (like Swiss Miss or your fave homemade blend)
• ¼ cup crushed Red Hots candies
• 1–2 teaspoons orange zest (dried or fresh)
• Optional: a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg for added warmth

To make a cup: Stir 2–3 tablespoons of the mix into hot water or steamed milk. Stir until the candies dissolve. Top with whipped cream or a orange twist if you’re feeling extra.

You could even turn this into little gift jars with a fun name like “Shondra’s Cozy Chaos Cocoa”.