The Interlude

Danny Pudi believes good coffee and cozy socks are the height of luxury. In a now viral interview of the actor by Larry King, the latter disagrees. Those are not ambitious enough manifestations of luxury! Instead, King suggests he might like a private plane. 

Pudi responds, “Larry, I’m on DuckTales.”

I replay that conversation from time to time. For the most part, I share Pudi’s opinions. Luxury, derived from the Latin luxus, refers to excess. I can get by without daily coffee and well-made clothing, so having them at my disposal feels luxurious.

Then there are days I side wholeheartedly with the late talk show host. Pudi (and the rest of us) are allowed to yearn for fancier stuff. Maybe not privatized travel that exacerbates our climate crisis, but something nicer than fuzzy footwear. 

At the moment, my something nicer is a handheld electric milk frother. For two years now, I’ve made London Fog lattes, peppermint mochas, and many cups of late night hot cocoa without leaving my home. I still love stopping by cafes while running errands and I’ll probably be a Dunkin’ stan for life, but it’s nice to make something elaborate with my own hands. Using a frother has taught me new things, like the fact soy milk foams up fairly well (and almond milk does not), and it has become a gateway for many Torani syrup purchases.

My milk frother is Zulay Kitchen’s intensely named MILK BOSS in matte black. It cost less than $20 and came with a sleek silver stand. Two AA batteries later, its coiled whisk buzzes as merrily as an electric toothbrush and can be used to aerate eggs, whip creams, and, of course, froth milk for any beverage of my choosing. It blends in nicely with other kitchen appliances and brings me unparalleled delight. 

This paragraph is where the fascinating history of frothing milk could go. Like, I could explain cappuccinos supposedly got their moniker because they resembled the brown robes of a specific group of bald Italian monks. Or maybe I could chart the evolution of espresso machines, much like phones, from hulking units in specialty cafes to slim, consumer-ready models. But that sounds exhausting, and this is supposed to be about finding restfulness and joy in small luxuries. Let’s hurry along to a recipe for the aforementioned hot cocoa instead. 

If you’re searching for something to level up your morning routine or need a gift for the coffee lover in your life, consider a handheld frother. And ignore articles about “the right way” to froth milk or the “best” frothers on the market. After all, the greatest luxury comes when you’re not concerned about anything other than what you want. 

Frothy + Sumptuous Hot Cocoa

Ingredients

• 16 oz of soy milk, divided
• 3 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons of cane sugar
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon powder
• 1 dash of salt

Tools

• A handheld milk frother
• Your favorite mug
• A pot suitable for the stovetop

1. Pour 4 oz of cold soy milk, the cocoa powder, and sugar into your favorite mug. 
2. Use a milk frother in the mug for 15 seconds, tilting it to one side and moving the frother up and down slowly. You’ll notice the mixture double in size.
3. Heat the remaining 12 oz of soy milk however you see fit. (I put it in a pot on the stove because I read A Wrinkle in Time at a formative age.)
4. Add the hot milk to the mug, top with the cinnamon, and add salt until satisfied with its juxtaposition to your drink’s sweetness. 
5. Pulse the frother in the mug once or twice more to combine.