Chocolate Covered Strawberries Inspired Cocoa

I've been brainstorming and experimenting with different ways to incorporate more fruit daily into my diet because, well, for the most part I don't like fruit. I was the kid who needed to be convinced to try berries and would rather down a bowl of carrots or broccoli any day. So I came up with a way to sneak some strawberries in my early morning pre-lecture cocoa last last weekend while I was reducing some black berries to put on pancakes. This Strawberry infused cocoa recipe is super easy and super yumtastic (Step after the jump)

 Not much is needed for this recipe. Gather some frozen strawberries, hot cocoa of choice, mug, milk, pan and a cooking spoon. Once you've got all your goodies together boil water. No measuring needed just eyeball it but please note that the less water the stronger the fruity flavor will be. So I would recommend 1.5 to 2 cups of water per mug increase amount of berries as you increase the volume of water.

Once the water comes to a rolling boil toss in the frozen strawberries give a couple quick turns with a spoon then reduce to a simmer.

 Let the berries soak in the pot until the water takes on a light pink color. I noticed that the fruit will lose some of its pigment and look pale around the time the water has enough flavor.

This step is optional. I don't like how hot the large bits of strawberry makes my cocoa so I like to remove the biggest pieces and set aside. I leave two or three of the small berries for my drink.

 Again this is optional, but I like to have little pulpy bits of fruit swimming around my mug.

 Self explanatory, I let the powder sit with the berries for a few seconds in an attempt to draw out some of the stronger flavored liquids before adding water.

Pour and mix. Get it girl.

I don't like warm drinks so I top off my strawberry infused cocoa with two or three tablespoons of milk for an added boost of calcium and most importantly the chill factor.

I tend to nosh on the remaining boiled berries in my cold cereal or with granola while I sip from my favorite mug the refreshing strawberry drink as I mentally prepare for the day ahead of me.