Hot Chocolate, 2 Ways

The classic winter drink as we know and love it is rich and milky-sweet, but its ancient Mayan ancestor was a much more bitter—though better-for-you—brew

Spanish-style drinking chocolate is rich and velvety, and best served in smaller portions. Jennifer McGruther

When winter’s cold hits hard, there’s nothing quite like a warm cup of hot chocolate. Sweet, rich, and milky, it’s a favorite of kids and grown-ups alike.

The drink, however, is rooted in ancient Mayan traditions. With its light-hearted sweetness, modern-day hot chocolate bears little resemblance to the original version, which was a dark, bitter brew infused with fragrant spices.