Throughout The Guncle Abroad, Patrick seeks to teach Grant and Maisie about being more open to new experiences and new people. He attempts to use his knowledge and experience to show them a new world across Europe with the hopes that these lessons will open their minds to accepting Livia into their family. One of the ways in which Patrick seeks to accomplish this goal is by introducing his niece and nephew to new foods and drinks in Europe, such as hot chocolate in Paris. This hot chocolate is a symbol of the benefits of change. 

Both Maisie and Grant are skeptical when Patrick declares that this hot chocolate is the best in the world but are pleasantly surprised when it is better than they believed, proving Patrick to be right:

It was not runny, or tepid, or bland, needing marshmallows or Cool Whip or other such nonsense to make it palatable. No, this drink was rich, molten, and looked like an actual flood of melted chocolate might, mixed with just a hint of milk (73).

This sensory description conveys the delight in store for people who accept change. Grant and Maisie know hot chocolate to be a fun drink, made with instant powder and adorned with whipped cream.