20+ Hot Chocolate Recipes to Sip on This Winter

Updated November 14, 2019
Credit: Christopher Testani; Prop Styling: Kaitlyn Duross; Food Styling: Chris Lanier

On chilly nights, snuggle up on the couch or next to a toasty fireplace with a warm mug of hot cocoa.

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Hot Chocolate

Credit: Linda Pugliese, Hector Sanchez; Styling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas, Buffy Hargett Miller

Hot Chocolate Recipe

Like your hot cocoa extra-rich? Increase heavy cream to 3 cups, and decrease milk to 1 cup.

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Peppermint Stick Hot Chocolate

Credit: Jeff Kauck

Peppermint Stick Hot Chocolate Recipe

Make a traditional cup of hot chocolate fit for the holidays by serving it with candy canes. The candy cane is not only for decoration – it also adds flavor to the hot chocolate as it melts in the mug.

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Rich 'n' Thick Hot Chocolate

Credit: Jennifer Davick; Leigh Anne Montgomery

Rich 'n' Thick Hot Chocolate Recipe

Use melted chocolate bars instead of cocoa for an extra-rich cup of hot chocolate.

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Hot White Chocolate

Credit: Alex Farnum; Styling: Randy Mon

Hot White Chocolate Recipe

White chocolate chips, marshmallows, and vanilla vodka are the stars of this adult-only hot chocolate that's like a dessert in a cup.

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Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix

Credit: Oxmoor House

Candy Cane Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe

Make a batch of this peppermint-flavored hot cocoa mix to keep on hand for some instant comfort throughout the hectic holiday season.

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Hot Chocolate with Ginger

Credit: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Lydia DeGaris-Pursell

Hot Chocolate with Ginger Recipe

This grown-up version of hot chocolate starts with an easy caramel syrup made with fresh ginger and sugar. Milk and chocolate sauce are then stirred in to make a cozy chocolate brew with a subtle kick.

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New Mexican Hot Chocolate

Credit: Photography: Karry Hosford

New Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Plain old hot chocolate gets a luscious but easy New Mexican makeover with the addition of honey, cinnamon, nutmeg and vanilla. Even better, this sweet treat is kept light by using two-percent milk.

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Peppermint Stick Cocoa

Credit: David Prince

Peppermint Stick Cocoa Recipe

It takes only minutes to assemble, but this combo of mini chocolate chips, crushed peppermint candies, cocoa, sugar, and milk powder makes a festive hot cocoa mix that's bound to be one "hot" holiday gift.

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Brandied Hot Chocolate

Credit: Annabelle Breakey

Brandied Hot Chocolate Recipe

Even if sleigh rides and caroling aren't on the agenda, hot chocolate made with a splash of French brandy and freshly grated bittersweet chocolate will turn up the heat in the most delightful way.

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Barcelona Hot Chocolate

Credit: Oxmoor House

Barcelona Hot Chocolate Recipe

The combination of espresso with dark chocolate yields a not-too-sweet beverage flavored with a hint of orange.

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Magic Cocoa

Credit: Melanie Acevedo

Magic Cocoa Recipe

Dazzle the kids by letting them create their own magic—turning white milk into chocolate milk. Use peppermint sticks as tasty stirs.

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Hot White Chocolate with Ginger

Credit: Karry Hosford

Hot White Chocolate with Ginger Recipe

The unique combination of ginger gives this sweet beverage a refreshing bite. It's perfect to warm you up on those cold days.

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Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate

Credit: Linda Pugliese; Styling: Mary Clayton Carl

Boozy Almond-Honey Hot Chocolate Recipe

Infuse rich hot cocoa with amaretto liqueur to create this perfect adults-only, cold-weather cocktail. 

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Intense Hot Chocolate

Intense Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Syling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Mexican Hot Chocolate

Credit: Hector Sanchez; Styling: Caroline M. Cunningham

Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

From the kitchen of Georgia Johnson, Austin, Texas, thecomfortofcooking.com

"Simmered with a cinnamon stick, vanilla extract, and a touch of chili powder, this hot chocolate is amazingly fragrant and delicious with a dollop of whipped cream."

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Classic Hot Chocolate

Credit: Charles Schiller; Styling: Karen Tack

Classic Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

For the perfect punch of peppermint flavor that isn’t overpowering (as a splash of extract can often be), swirling a candy cane into your mug of hot cocoa provides just the right touch. Plus, this simple trick for making peppermint hot chocolate makes good use of the abundance of candy canes your kids tend to collect around the holidays. They’ll enjoy having their own personal stirring sticks as much as you’ll enjoy the splash of peppermint schnapps added to your grown-up mug. 

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3-D Hot Chocolate

Credit: Greg Dupree; Food Styling: Catherine Crowell Steele; Prop Syling: Heather Chadduck Hillegas

3-D Hot Chocolate Recipe

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Creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

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Creamy Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipe

This incredibly rich beverage is anything but your nana’s hot cocoa. Incorporating tahini into this dairy-free hot chocolate adds a decadent layer of warming nuttiness that’s a perfect partner to the robust flavors of cocoa and vanilla. 

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Parisian Hot Chocolate

Credit: Yunhee Kim; Styling: Dawn Sinkowski

Parisian Hot Chocolate Recipe

Prep: 5 minutes; Cook: 20 minutes. This European-style hot chocolate is so rich, you only need a little. The kids will go crazy for it.

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Spiked Hot Chocolate

Credit: Christopher Testani; Prop Styling: Kaitlyn Duross; Food Styling: Chris Lanier

Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipe

This warming treat is the perfect accompaniment for a walk through the snow: A hint of peppermint schnapps will give everyone a little pep in their step. Think of it as more of a dessert than a beverage, as this hot chocolate is a bit of a splurge. Canned coconut milk gives it full-bodied richness and makes it an indulgence. Molly explains that "coconut goes well with chocolate and mint, so it really brings this hot chocolate together nicely."

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