I always thought that Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate were interchangeable terms for the same, chocolaty drink that I love. But I was wrong!

Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate are basically made the same, but there is one main difference. While you can use any toppings on both-tiny marshmallows, a swirl of whipped cream, or a crunchy cinnamon stick-it is what is mixed in with the cocoa/chocolate that sets the two apart.

Basically, it comes down to this: Hot Cocoa is mixed with water, and Hot chocolate is mixed with milk.

Maybe I am the only person who has gone her entire life up until this point now not knowing this tiny, simply difference?

Either way, next time you go to Starbucks, ask the barista if they recommend the Hot Cocoa or the Hot Chocolate, and when they ask what the difference is, you can drop your newfound knowledge on the know-it-all barista this time!