Cocoa Is Warm, Comforting Food That’s Perfect for Chilly Weather : For Adults, You Can Mix In Coffee or Lace With Alcohol and Liqueurs; Holiday Cookies Are an Added Treat for Light Ending to a Filling Dinner

Cocoa--a comfort food--is so warm and soothing in chilly weather. It’s enjoyed by all ages as is, or with a bit of spice. For adults, combine with coffee or lace with alcohol or liqueurs.

Add holiday cookies for a light ending to a filling dinner. The combination is equally good for easy entertaining. Serve casually or add a touch of elegance by using silver and china. HOT RUM FRAPPE

4 cups hot coffee

1 cup hot cocoa mix

1/2 cup half and half

1/2 cup rum

1/2 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 cup whipping cream, whipped

Heat coffee, cocoa mix and half and half in large saucepan until cocoa dissolves. Stir in rum and vanilla and heat through. Serve garnished with dollops of whipped cream. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Note: 1 teaspoon rum extract may be substituted for rum. COCOA BRULOT

1 orange

2 cups brandy

8 whole cloves

2 sticks cinnamon

6 cups hot coffee

1 cup hot cocoa mix

Remove peel from orange with vegetable peeler. Heat brandy, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon in large saucepan until very warm (do not simmer). Transfer to heated serving bowl. Carefully ignite and let flame 1 minute.

Combine coffee and hot cocoa mix, stirring to dissolve cocoa. Pour into flaming brandy. Makes 10 servings.

Variation: For non-alcoholic version, substitute 2 cups water and 2 1/2 teaspoons brandy extract for brandy. Heat coffee, water, orange peel, cloves and cinnamon until very warm. Stir in cocoa until dissolved, then add brandy extract. HOT AND SPICY COCOA

1 1/2 cups milk

2 (1-ounce) envelopes hot cocoa mix

Dash ground cinnamon

Dash ground nutmeg

Dash ground cloves

Heat milk in medium saucepan. Add cocoa mix, cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves and stir until cocoa dissolves. Makes 2 servings. COCOA AND SPICE

3/4 cup milk

1 (1-ounce) envelope hot cocoa mix

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Miniature marshmallows

Heat milk in medium saucepan. Add cocoa mix and cinnamon and stir until cocoa dissolves. Garnish with miniature marshmallows. Makes 1 serving. CAFE COCOA

1 cup milk

1/2 cup whipping cream

2 (1-ounce) envelopes hot cocoa mix

1 1/2 teaspoons instant coffee

2 tablespoons rum

Heat milk and whipping cream in medium saucepan. Add cocoa mix and instant coffee and stir until dissolved. Stir in rum. Makes 2 servings. HOT BLACK RUSSIAN

3/4 cup milk

1 (1-ounce) envelope hot cocoa mix

1 tablespoon vodka

1 tablespoon coffee-flavored liqueur

Heat milk in medium saucepan. Add cocoa mix and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and stir in vodka and liqueur. Makes 1 serving. SUNNY COCOA

3/4 cup milk

2 tablespoons orange juice

1 (1-ounce) envelope hot cocoa mix

Heat milk and orange juice in medium saucepan. Add cocoa mix and stir until dissolved. Makes 1 serving.