Warm up with this snow-day cocktail

One of the best parts of winter is a snow day. Whether you make a snowman, get in a snowball fight or stay in your pajamas all day to watch the snowfall, snow days are especially awesome when you can cozy up with a delicious hot cocktail.

When there's snow outside our window, on goes the kettle for cocoa. In the beginning of winter, I make a big batch of hot cocoa mix and keep it on hand for just this type of occasion. However, you can use your favorite instant hot chocolate or homemade mix for this drink.

The key to this hot cocktail is the chocolate liqueur. Sure, you can spike your cocoa with whiskey, spiced rum or any number of flavored liqueurs, but using a chocolate truffle liqueur gives you layered flavors of chocolate conjuring up memories of sipping cocoa as a kid but with a grown-up twist.

Simply topping with fresh whipped cream and some chocolate shavings (made by using a peeler on a chocolate bar) creates an impressive mug for sipping.

• Maureen Petrosky is the author of "The Wine Club," "The Cocktail Club" and makerlifestyle.com. Submit any comments or questions to editorial@thekitchn.com.

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Spiked Chocolate Truffle Hot Cocoa

10 ounces prepared hot cocoa

4 ounces chocolate truffle liqueur

Fresh whipped cream, for garnish

Chocolate shavings, for garnish

Divide the hot cocoa between two 8-ounce mugs. Add 2 ounces of chocolate truffle liqueur to each mug and stir to combine. Top with freshly whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Enjoy!

Serves 2

Recipe note: I used Chocolate Truffle Liqueur from Crave for this recipe but you may use any chocolate liqueur for your spiked cocoa.