There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around a warm mug of hot chocolate when the temperature drops. Whether you’re curled up on the couch, hosting a holiday get-together, or treating the kids after a snowball fight, these 13 indulgent hot chocolate recipes are guaranteed to keep the cold away and the coziness flowing.
1. Classic Creamy Hot Chocolate
The original everyone loves—smooth, rich, and soul-warming.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine milk, cream, cocoa, and sugar.
- Whisk over medium heat until smooth and hot.
- Stir in vanilla before serving.
How to Serve It
Top with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cocoa powder.
2. Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate
Bold and warming with a kick of cinnamon and spice.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup dark chocolate, chopped
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- Pinch of cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp sugar
Instructions
- Heat milk in a saucepan.
- Add chocolate, cocoa, cinnamon, cayenne, and sugar.
- Stir until melted and steamy.
How to Serve It
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or chili chocolate square.
3. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Creamy and festive, like a peppermint bark in a mug.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- Warm milk over medium heat.
- Stir in white chocolate chips until melted.
- Add peppermint extract.
How to Serve It
Top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies.
4. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Sweet, salty, and totally crave-worthy.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
Instructions
- Heat milk and whisk in cocoa and caramel.
- Stir until smooth.
- Sprinkle sea salt before serving.
How to Serve It
Add whipped cream, extra caramel drizzle, and a pinch more salt.
5. Nutella Hot Chocolate
Nutty, chocolatey, and irresistibly rich.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/3 cup Nutella
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
Instructions
- Warm milk and stir in Nutella and cocoa powder.
- Whisk until creamy and hot.
How to Serve It
Top with toasted hazelnuts or chocolate shavings.
6. Cookies and Cream Hot Chocolate
Dessert and drink all in one.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 2 crushed chocolate sandwich cookies
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Melt chocolate chips in warm milk.
- Stir in crushed cookies and vanilla.
- Simmer and serve warm.
How to Serve It
Garnish with whipped cream and extra cookie crumbles.
7. S’mores Hot Chocolate
Bring the bonfire indoors with this toasty favorite.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup sugar
- Marshmallows
- Graham cracker crumbs
Instructions
- Heat milk, cocoa, and sugar together.
- Pour into mug rimmed with graham crumbs.
- Top with marshmallows and toast under broiler or with torch.
How to Serve It
Drizzle with melted chocolate and add crushed graham.
8. Lavender Hot Chocolate
Floral and cozy—a soothing twist on a classic.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp dried culinary lavender
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
- Simmer milk with lavender for 5 minutes.
- Strain out lavender.
- Stir in cocoa and sugar.
How to Serve It
Top with lavender whipped cream or edible petals.
9. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Fall flavor meets winter comfort.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice
- 2 tbsp maple syrup
Instructions
- Whisk everything together in a saucepan.
- Heat until hot and smooth.
How to Serve It
Top with whipped cream and pumpkin spice sprinkle.
10. Mocha Hot Chocolate
For those who love coffee with their cocoa.
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup brewed coffee or 1 shot espresso
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Combine milk, coffee, and chocolate syrup.
- Heat until hot but not boiling.
How to Serve It
Add whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
11. Almond Joy Hot Chocolate
Inspired by the candy bar—chocolate, almond, and coconut.
Ingredients
- 2 cups almond milk
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tbsp coconut cream
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
Instructions
- Heat almond milk with cocoa and coconut cream.
- Stir until combined.
- Add almond extract at the end.
How to Serve It
Top with whipped coconut cream and toasted almonds.
12. Red Velvet Hot Chocolate
Smooth, silky, and as gorgeous as it is tasty.
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk
- 1/4 cup white chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- Red food coloring
Instructions
- Melt white chocolate into warm milk.
- Add cocoa and red coloring.
- Stir until smooth.
How to Serve It
Top with cream cheese whipped topping and sprinkles.
☕ Cozy Up with a Mug (or Two)
These indulgent hot chocolate recipes are perfect for snow days, movie nights, or just taking a break from the winter chill. Try a new twist each week, share your favorite with friends, and make your cold nights a little warmer—one mug at a time.
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