Makes 50 large mugs or 70 cups
Start heating 3 gallons of milk
To make the recipe using cocoa, beat together and boil hard 5 minutes:
1/2 pound cocoa
1 pound (2-1/4 cups) sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 gallon boiling water
To make rich chocolate, which is more chocolatey and sweeter, melt together:
2 pounds bitter (baking) chocolate
2 pounds sugar
1 teaspoon salt
OPTIONAL
2 teaspoons cinnamon or cardamon or nutmeg
Stir in and boil 5 minutes:
1 gallon boiling water
To either syrup, stir in and beat well:
3 gallons hot milk
OPTIONAL
2 tablespoons vanilla extract
Traditional garnishes for each cup:
* a marshmallow
* a dollop of whipped cream
* a dusting of cocoa or cinnamon or instant coffee
* a sprinkle of crushed peppermint stick candy
* or a cinnamon stick or peppermint stick stirrer.