Mid-April. Traditionally a time for throwing the windows open wide, letting the sun in, and dreaming of the summer days to come. This April is different, and if you’re anything like us, you find yourselves hungering for the rituals and treats of autumn and winter—cosy, warm, and rich. Apple pie is one of those treats, of course. And so is hot chocolate.

So what makes a cup the perfect cup? That’s highly subjective—up to a point. For one thing, it should be made with milk (yes, even for a “just-add-water” mix!). As a topping, a marshmallow, or three, is a sure kid-pleaser, a close second to whipped cream, made from scratch with a little confectioners’ sugar and a dash of vanilla. But what ultimately makes hot chocolate perfect isn’t the recipe but whom it’s shared with—in April or any month.