A Cosy Afternoon with Spiced Hot Chocolate

When the days grow shorter and the light fades early, there’s nothing lovelier than pressing pause and creating your own moment of calm.  A quiet afternoon, a warm drink, and soft, natural comforts — the perfect ingredients for slowing down this winter.

We've got some ideas of how to create your cosy afternoon, Helen Round style — complete with a cup of spiced hot chocolate and a few of our favourite handmade home comforts.

1. Warm Up Gently

Begin with warmth — inside and out. Our linen wheat bags, filled with natural wheat and lavender, are perfect for soothing shoulders, easing tension, or simply keeping you toasty on a chilly afternoon.

Keep the draughts away with one of our handmade linen draught excluders — a simple, sustainable way to make your home feel snug.

And don’t forget your feet! Slip on a pair of our beautiful socks, made from soft, natural fibres — a little luxury that keeps the chill at bay and completes the cosy picture.  These alpaca socks are ideal.

2. Rest and Unwind

Take a few quiet minutes just for yourself.  Our linen eye pillows, filled with wheat and lavender, are perfect for easing tired eyes and encouraging calm.  Rest one gently over your eyes, breathe deeply, and let everything slow right down.

3. Sip and Savour

Now, make yourself something delicious — a cup of warming spiced hot chocolate, rich with aromatic spices and perfect for sharing - this recipe makes 2 generous cups.

Watch our youtube video here or follow on below!

You'll need: 

• 2 cups milk or plant milk (unsweetened)
• ½ tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp ground cardamom
• ¾ tsp ground ginger
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• ½ tsp coarse-ground black pepper
• 3 anise star petals
• 2 tbsp cacao powder
• 2 tsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

Add the milk and spices to a pan and warm gently for 10 minutes — don’t let it boil.

Whisk in the cacao powder and bring to a gentle simmer.

Add the vanilla and honey (or your preferred sweetener) to taste.

Strain into large bone china mugs, test the temperature, and enjoy slowly.

A warming blend of spice and sweetness — the perfect companion for a peaceful afternoon. I always use an organic cacao wherever possible. US friends, this cacao is worth trying.

4. Set the Scene

Wrap up in soft, comfortable clothing, pull on your favourite socks, and why not light a fragranced candle?  This soy wax candle features the relaxing and heady scents of mandarin blended with grounding patchouli and soothing ylang ylang.  There's lot of choice on our website.

With natural materials, thoughtful design, and a love of simple living, our handcrafted linens and homewares are made to bring comfort and calm to everyday life.

Explore the lovely ideas that we have for keeping you cosy this winter - including wheat bags, socks, eye pillows, draught excluders, and mugs - designed to last season after season.

Let us know what you think of our Spiced Hot Chocolate Recipe.  We like to serve it at our Midwinter Gatherings and at home too!