How do I know which verb to use when saying "I would like---"

"ich möchte..." is more general and means "I would like", for example "Ich möchte später einmal ein LKW Fahrer sein" ( I would like to be a truck driver when I grow up) whereas "Ich hätte gerne" means "I would like to have", as in Ich hätte gerne ein Kilo Kartoffeln (I would like to have one kilogramm of potatoes)

I read this post and have a question. In the early lessons we learned that "Ich mochte etwas warmes zu trinken" = I would like something warm to drink. Your example would suggest that I could say "Ich hatte gerne etwas warmes zu trinken". Is that another way to ask for something warm to drink (which is the most proper)? Thank You.