Coffee is a magical elixir. It erases fog. It warms you on a cold day.

It is best when you take whole beans and grind them yourself. I like coffee strong and typically drink it black. However, I am occasionally drawn to a chocolaty mocha or some other divine concoction of sweet coffee. It is the ultimate indulgence for me.

There are dozens of places that serve up coffee drinks, usually made with coffee or espresso and flavored syrup.  Not bad when you want a quick treat in the car, but nothing beats a home brewed coffee, wondrously flavored, and topped with whipped cream.

Inspired, I was on a quest to create at home.

Two places in the O’Fallon/St. Peters area to get great, fresh whole beans are Saint Charles Coffee House on McClay Road and Lindsay’s Chocolate Café and Coffeehouse on Technology Drive. Both places sell whole coffee beans, but will grind them for you if you need.

While you can pick up flavored syrups at Dierbergs to add to coffee at home, I was looking for something with more depth of flavor.

Recently, I was invited to a Dove Chocolate Discoveries home party. It is based on the home show experience, but instead of selling candles or purses, the Independent Chocolatiers sell chocolate—ready to eat treats such as truffles and caramels, baking mixes and chocolate barbeque sauces, martini mixes and candy supplies.

Along with all of the chocolate goodness I purchased (I am addicted to DCD’s Sea Salted Caramels), I came across their Smoothie Mixes. Voila! They are the perfect addition to my coffee.

The smoothie mixes have bits of real chocolate that melt divinely into hot coffee. Using just two tablespoons of the mix, the mochas cost far less than those from a coffee house.

The two I tried were the Coconut Chocolate Chip Smoothie Mix and the Java Chip Smoothie Mix. The Coconut Mocha and the Chocolate Mocha were both wonderful on their own, but then I got creative and added some liquor to each. It made afternoon coffee truly decadent.

DCD also sells a Chai Tea mix that is quite good mixed with whipped topping. I prefer that to the standard whipped cream from a can. It makes the coffee drinks even more special.

Stacey Kelley, Independent Chocolatier, travels throughout St. Charles County doing home shows or you can order here.

Coconut Mocha                                                                       

Serves one

• 12 ounces freshly brewed coffee
• 2 tablespoons DCD Coconut Chocolate Chip Smoothie Mix
• 1 ounce Amaretto Liquor (optional)
• Whipped cream (optional for garnish)
• DCD Baking Chocolate, grated (optional for garnish)

Stir the smoothie mix into the coffee until all of the chocolate has melted. Add the liquor if using. Top with whipped cream and garnish with grated chocolate.

Chocolate Mocha

Serves one

• 12 ounces freshly brewed coffee
• 2 tablespoons DCD Java Chip Smoothie Mix
• 1 ounce Starbucks Coffee Liquor
• Whipped cream (optional for garnish)
• DCD Baking Chocolate, grated (optional for garnish)

Stir the smoothie mix into the coffee until all of the chocolate has melted. Add the liquor if using. Top with whipped cream and garnish with grated chocolate.