I've been trying a few different cocoa recipes using our tin of cocoa powder instead of hot chocolate mixes.  It's nice because you can adjust the sweetening to taste.

Here are a couple of recipes I've made lately, adapted from The Joy of Cooking.  (Mark Bittman, unfortunately, does not include beverage recipes in his cookbooks.)

Hot Cocoa

1 tbsp cocoa powder
2 tsp sugar
6 oz milk
1/4 tsp vanilla
cinnamon

Combine cocoa, sugar, and milk in a mug.  Microwave until desired temperature (the "beverage" button on mine works perfectly).  Stir to mix.  Stir in vanilla, and sprinkle with cinnamon.


Brazilian Chocolate

1 tbsp cocoa powder
1 tbsp sugar
1/4 cup milk
6 oz hot coffee
1/4 tsp vanilla
cinnamon

Combine cocoa, sugar, and milk in a mug.  Add hot coffee; stir until mixed.  (Microwave if insufficiently hot.)  Stir in vanilla, and sprinkle with cinnamon.