The Perfect Pair: Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate & Minty Jojoba Lip Balm
For the perfect winter self-care moment, there's nothing like indulging in a cup of rich peppermint hot chocolate. To spread the holiday peppermint cheer, we especially love enjoying cozy beverages while wearing a classic Desert Essence mint lip balm. The idea is simple: When the weather outside is frightful, the peppermint hot chocolate will warm you up while the balm protects your lips from the drying cold. To pamper yourself in the chilly months ahead, treat your sweet tooth to this homemade peppermint hot chocolate recipe that pairs perfectly with minty lip care.
The Comforts of Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Why Peppermint?
Around the holidays, peppermint is a culinary staple, found in everything from peppermint bark chocolates to striped candy canes. When added to a classic hot chocolate, the refreshing taste of peppermint complements the creamy milk and bitter chocolate notes. But peppermint is more than just delicious. In personal care, its oil delivers a cooling sensation that can help provide a soothing effect. As such, you’ll find peppermint in everything from mouthwash to lip balm.
Gathering the Ingredients
If you’re craving a cup of peppermint hot chocolate, it’s incredibly easy to make at home. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 1 cup of milk (or a milk alternative of your choice)
- ¼ cup of heavy cream (or a plant-based alternative such as coconut cream)
- 3 to 6 ounces of chopped semi-sweet or dark chocolate, depending on your sweetness preference
- 1 tablespoon of sugar (add more or less depending on how sweet you like your drink)
- ⅛ teaspoon of salt
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Garnish (think candy canes, peppermint sprigs, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream)
Step-By-Step Preparation
- Add your milk, heavy cream, sugar and salt to a saucepan over medium-low heat.
- When you notice the mixture bubbling, reduce your heat to low, then fold in the chopped chocolate. Stir for a minute or two until the chocolate is fully melted.
- Add in the peppermint and vanilla extracts.
- Pour the peppermint hot chocolate into your mug of choice.
- Optional: Garnish your drink to give it festive cheer!
If you can’t find peppermint extract, you can also stir a candy cane into your hot chocolate for similarly delicious results.
Minty Jojoba Lip Balm: A Winter Essential
The Importance of Lip Care in Winter
As a peppermint hot chocolate keeps you warm, a minty jojoba oil lip balm keeps your lips kissably soft. But even beyond those moments underneath the mistletoe, you’ll want to take measures against the cold, dry winter air, which can leave lips cracked, dry and irritated. To really make winter the definitive self-care season, keep a nourishing lip balm handy to pamper your lips as needed.
Discovering Jojoba Oil’s Benefits
If you’re looking for the best cruelty-free lip balm, check out Desert Essence’s Lip Protection line. Our lip balms keep lips luscious with botanical moisturizers, waxes and plant extracts. As its name implies, Desert Essence Lip Moisturizing - Jojoba Oil Lip Balm harnesses the botanical potential of jojoba oil, which restores moisture without leaving a greasy residue. Additionally, this gluten-free lip balm formula soothes lips with other good-for-you ingredients like soothing aloe and hydration-sealing organic beeswax. And, of course, it features a wintergreen-peppermint flavor for a cooling refresh.
The Perfect Pair: Why They Complement Each Other
When it comes to winter self-care ideas, we simply think that peppermint hot chocolates and minty lip balms make for the perfect combination. They help you take on the cold in different ways — one keeps you warm, while the other helps protect your lips from winter chill and dryness. Plus, both offer festive minty freshness. So, while you’re holiday shopping for Desert Essence favorites this year, remember to pick up a lip balm or two.
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