Cocoa- homemade and exquisite!

I was browsing some of my favorite knitting blogs and came across a reference for Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

What better way to say warm yourself after fighting winters chills than with a steaming cup of homemade hot chocolate?
Here's how to make a variety of naturally flavored mixes, perfect for gift giving or home entertaining.
Find some airtight containers, fill them with your favorite mix and, voilá, you have a unique holiday gift that your friends and family are sure to enjoy.
The recipes call for organic ingredients- while orgainc is certainly better for the environment, unorganic will taste just fine..

Vanilla Sugar (to be used in all the mixes below)
2 cups organic unbleached raw cane sugar, (such as Florida Crystals or Sucanat) (or regular sugar would be fine I'm sure)
1 whole vanilla bean, cut up into small pieces.
Combine the sugar with the vanilla bean in a food processor or a blender. Process until the vanilla bean is completely minced. Strain sugar into a container with a tight fitting lid. Store in a cool dry place.

Mix #1 Traditional Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 cup organic dry powdered milk
1/4 cup good quality organic cocoa powder
1/2 cup vanilla sugar
Pinch of sea salt Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make hot cocoa, stir one cup boiling water into 1/4 cup mix.

Mix #2 Spiced Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 recipe Traditional Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 tsp ground cardamom
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
Pinch of sea salt Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make hot cocoa, stir one cup boiling water into 1/4 cup mix.

Mix #3 Java Style with Almond
1 recipe Traditional Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 to 2 TB organic instant coffee or coffee substitute
Mix all ingredients together and store in an airtight container. To make hot cocoa, stir one cup boiling water into 1/4 cup mix.

Mix #4 Hot Mint Cocoa
1/4 cup Traditional Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 herbal mint tea bag
Fill one mug with the Traditional Hot Cocoa Mix. Add 1 cup boiling water and the mint tea bag. Steep for 1 to 3 minutes.

Mix #5 Hot Almond Cocoa
1/4 cup Traditional Organic Hot Cocoa Mix
1 almond flavored tea bag
Fill one mug with the Traditional Hot Cocoa Mix. Add 1 cup boiling water and the almond tea bag. Steep for 1 to 3 minutes.