The atmosphere is electric, and the crowd is buzzing with anticipation, as hot chocolate and eggnog step into the ring and prepare to brawl.
In one corner stands hot chocolate, the heavyweight champion of comfort, boasting a rich, velvety texture and deep cocoa flavor.
“First of all, it’s sweet, it’s warm, and it’s soothing,” sophomore Riley Chinen said. “Even if you are lactose intolerant, you can still make it with water.”
Each sip delivers a knockout punch of warmth and nostalgia, topped with fluffy marshmallows that dance like champions in the air.
In the other corner, a potent blend of nutmeg and vanilla, eggnog packs a powerful punch, delivering a festive knockout blow to the taste buds. But can it dethrone the reigning champ, hot chocolate?
“Eggnog is nice, but trust me, it’s not the same,” Chinen said. “Honestly if you’re drinking it, that’s a little suspicious.”
It seems like eggnog is the underdog in this holiday brawl, but is it ready to pull off an upset?
“Like what is there to like about eggnog? It is probably one of the worst drinks in existence,” freshman Tejas Srinivasan said. “Why do you want eggs in a drink? Just think about that for a moment. Like, contemplate it. How could that possibly make any sense whatsoever?”
Eggnog may have a negative reputation, but there’s more to it than just “eggs in a drink.” It’s a drink with history and tradition on its side.
According to an article in Time magazine, eggnog dates back to the 13th century and has long been associated with celebrations and festive gatherings. It truly is the drink of holiday cheer, thanks to its long-standing place in many families’ holiday traditions.
But hot chocolate has its own rich, historical legacy. According to The History Channel, hot chocolate’s origins stretch back to the ancient civilizations of Mesoamerica, where the Mayans and Aztecs were the first to drink a chocolate beverage.
Historically, it seems like each beverage is on equal footing. But the crowd overwhelmingly favors hot chocolate.
Surely hot chocolate must be amazing to elicit such support from spectators in the stands.
“My mom uses a specific kind of chocolate, which is chocolate abuelita, and it just brings happiness,” sophomore Brenda Rosales said. “Me and my siblings would always fight over the biggest boxes that had the most chocolate in them.”
Hot chocolate is a nostalgic journey, filled with memories of cozy evenings and laughter shared with family. How could eggnog compare?
“When me and my family would get in the trailer, we’d have this hot chocolate mix,” Cal senior Owen Schassberger said. “It was really cool because after camping, it’s been a long day and we’re all really tired, so it was cool to connect.”
Hot chocolate is not just a drink. It’s a warm embrace after a snowball fight, a cozy companion for every fireside gathering, and the ultimate indulgence for chilly winter evenings.
“Every Christmas, my mom makes these chocolate shell things with marshmallows inside,” Chinen said. “She dumps them into a cup of hot milk or water. It was cool and magical.”
A recipe from the The Kitchn website highlights how eggnog’s comforting properties make it a perfect fit for cold weather, with its rich texture and luxurious flavor profile.
Unlike hot chocolate, which can sometimes feel overly sweet or one-note, eggnog boasts more complex flavors. The combination of nutmeg, cinnamon and vanilla create a multi-dimensional drink experience.
While hot chocolate may be a quick, easy option, eggnog is a drink that invites people to slow down, savor its complexity and embrace the holiday season fully. But even with the outcries of these fans, it’s clear eggnog is not very loved.
“Hot chocolate is all right, but like eggnog [is] just so unbelievably trash that hot chocolate clears,” Srinivasan said.
The battle lines are drawn. hot chocolate seems to have the upper hand. With seemingly no supporters in the entire school, eggnog is in a very dire situation.
“I’m not exactly an authority on eggnog, but I think hot chocolate is a little better,” Schassberger said. “Hot chocolate is way easier to make quickly.”
As the bell rings and the crowd erupts into applause, there’s no denying that hot chocolate has emerged as the victorious. holiday drink.
With its rich, comforting flavor and widespread fan support, hot chocolate has proven itself the undisputed champion in the winter beverage ring.
So with temperatures dropping and the holidays here around, there’s no question hot chocolate reigns supreme as the ultimate drink of choice.