Those who hate to bid summer adieu surely get instantly winter-ready thinking of hot chocolate. Sipping the warm, velvety and rich drink is the ideal way to kick off the fall season and it becomes a point of obsession when there are croissants to go with it.

The piping hot mug of cocoa is made with ground chocolates, heated milk and sugar. Alternatively, bakers also pop out hot chocolate bombs, the chocolaty spheres meant to be diluted in heated milk, to make the classic drink quickly and easily.

The decadent and sickly sweet beverage is best had in small servings in cappuccino cups. It's often adorned with candies, a cinnamon stick or even a pile of whipped cream to add the seasonal flair. However, that's not to say that the drink can't be enjoyed without additional flavorings -- it's delicious in its own right.

National Hot Chocolate Day is observed on Jan 31. to honor the timeless beverage. To mark the occasion, here are some quotes about the classic holiday staple. (Courtesy: Goodreads)

  • "Parisians take their work quite seriously, but they take their enjoyment of the little moments just as seriously. Sometimes sitting in a café with close friends or family and enjoying a shared plate of macarons is just as important as sitting in an office working. You know, some Parisians start their morning with a mug of hot chocolate. Really? Emilia asked, taking a fourth and fifth sip. The chocolate is like medicine to take away your troubles and help you see that life is sweet."- Giada De Laurentiis
  • "You just need a little perspective. Warmed chocolate can give you that."- Giada De Laurentiis
  • "Because the best gift in life, is just having someone to drink hot chocolate with"- Tessa Shaffer
  • "A rich steam rose and he took a sip. Sweetness flooded his tongue, followed by cream, sugar, spices, chocolate finer than anything he had ever tasted, dark and bitter and delicious."- Laura Madeleine
  • "Nights alone in my yellow kitchen, I made myself hot chocolate. I missed my mother. In my window, maple leaves rusted, young fall blooming."- Aspen Matis
  • "There is something so comforting, so soothing about a mug of hot chocolate. No matter how old I am, I think chocolat chaud will always have the ability to take me back to special times, when all of the world's problems seemed to melt away by consuming one simple beverage"- Lisa Schroeder
Hot Chocolate
Pictured: Representational image of a cup of hot chocolate. Pixabay
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