1. Gently Heat the Milk: Pour the milk into a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Stir occasionally to prevent scorching. You want the milk to be warm and steaming, but not boiling. Look for small bubbles forming around the edges of the pan.

2. Melt in the White Chocolate: Once the milk is warm, add the white chocolate chips or chopped white chocolate to the saucepan. Continue to stir gently until the white chocolate has completely melted and is smoothly incorporated into the milk. Ensure there are no lumps remaining.

3. Sweeten and Season: Stir in the granulated sugar and the pinch of salt. Taste a small amount to check for sweetness and adjust the sugar if needed. The salt will subtly enhance the flavors, so don’t omit it.

4. Add the Vanilla: Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Adding it off the heat preserves its delicate flavor.

5. Achieve the Perfect Pink Hue: Now for the fun part! Add 2-3 drops of red or pink gel food coloring to the hot chocolate. Stir well until the color is evenly distributed. If you desire a deeper pink, add one more drop at a time, stirring after each addition, until you reach your preferred shade.

6. Serve Warm and Garnish: Ladle the pink hot chocolate into mugs. Top generously with whipped cream, a sprinkle of mini marshmallows, or some colorful sprinkles for an extra festive touch. Serve immediately and enjoy the warmth and delightful color!