I noticed in the "Similar threads" list at the bottom that there are quite a few threads that are more or less the same as this. One that caught my eye was
this one, where the OP asks how specifically you prepare your beverage of choice, so I thought I'd contribute to that.
For tea, it depends largely on the tea in question and what my mood is. Like I said, I'm a bit of an avid tea drinker, so I tend to have a few different flavors in the cupboards at any given time. Typically, a couple lumps of sugar and a tiny bit of milk works for just about any flavor. On sick days, green tea of any variety with a blend of lemon and honey really does wonders, especially for a sore throat. It also depends on what the tea is being served with. Typically, I only drink water with meals, but if I'm dining out, I might have tea, but use less sugar and no milk. For snacks, desserts, or any other such occasion, well, it's not as though I'm eating it for my health anyway, so no limits. Extra sugar if I'm feeling it.
For coffee, I prefer lighter roasts. I do enjoy the smell and the texture of dark roasts, but the bitter flavor--even when drowned in sugar and creamer--is simply impossible to bypass. Other than that, I'm not terribly particular about it. Most coffee tastes more or less identical to me, unless they are specifically flavored variants, so cheap McDonald's coffee will suit me about as well as the expensive Starbucks variety. Really, I find that it's the calming atmosphere and general aesthetic of most coffee shops that make them more compelling than the actual beverages they serve.
And for hot cocoa, well, I stated my preferences in my original post, but since my tastes for this one can be rather expensive, I don't partake very often. But I will find some chocolate made for melting and... well, melt it, add some milk to thin it out. This doesn't always work out, but I also like to melt in some peppermint candies, especially if it's nearing Christmastime. If I'm feeling extra decadent, I might serve it with whipped cream and marshmallows. Large marshmallows that come in a proper bag, not the dehydrated ones. I simply love when those begin to melt and--rather than fizzling into nothingness like their packaged counterparts--blend into a warm, gooey lump. Like I said, perfection.
