When I was a kid, hot chocolate was the ultimate cozy winter treat. Mom would always have a pot of it on the stove warming up when we came inside from a day playing in the snow. Recapture the coziness of winters past with a few great hot chocolate recipes. From the classic version to hot chocolate with tasty add-ins, we have a hot chocolate recipe that'll warm you from your nose to your toes.
Classic Homemade Hot Chocolate
You can use any chocolate that you have on hand to make hot chocolate — from a white chocolate bar to bittersweet chocolate chips. You read that correctly. But chocolate chips or an oversized chocolate bar are the easiest to work with.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
- 2 cups of milk
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the chocolate to the warmed milk.
- Stir until completely mixed.
- Warm a mug, then carefully pour hot chocolate into the warmed glass.
Using unsweetened chocolate? Add ¼ cup of something sweet. I love brown sugar or pure maple syrup, but you can also use sugar, honey, or an equivalent amount of a non-caloric sweetener.
Boozy Hot Chocolate Bliss
If you want to add a little nip to your hot chocolate, who are we to judge? I know I do it sometimes! Whether you add peppermint schnaps, amaretto, or Baileys Irish cream, this is the grown up hot chocolate that dreams are made of.
Ingredients
- 6 ounces chopped semi-sweet chocolate or chocolate chips
- 2 cups of milk
- 1½ ounce of booze (like peppermint schnapps, cinnamon whiskey, crème de menthe, raspberry liqueur, Frangelico, amaretto, or Irish cream)
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.
- Heat the milk in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the chocolate to the warmed milk.
- Stir until completely mixed.
- Warm a mug, then carefully pour hot chocolate into the warmed glass.
- Stir in the booze.
Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate
If you're like me and are allergic to dairy (I know, fun, right?), you don't have to suffer with no hot chocolate during cozy season. Use this simple recipe and then curl up fireside with everyone else.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dairy-free chocolate chips or other dairy-free chocolate, roughly chopped
- 2 cups coconut milk, oat milk, or almond milk
Instructions
- Melt the dairy-free chocolate in a double boiler.
- Heat the dairy-free milk in a saucepan over low heat.
- Add the melted chocolate to the warmed milk.
- Stir well to completely mix.
- Warm a mug, then carefully add hot chocolate.
Sugar-Free Low-Carb Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate might be indulgent, but that doesn't mean it needs to be overflowing with sugar! Keep all the flavor, but take a walk on the lighter side of homemade hot chocolate.
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsweetened almond milk, or preferred unsweetened dairy-free milk
- 8 ounces sugar-free chocolate morsels, roughly chopped
Instructions
- Heat the dairy-free milk in a saucepan over low heat.
- Stir in the chocolate, stirring constantly until melted.
- Once totally mixed, warm a mug, then carefully add hot chocolate.
You can find Lily's stevia-sweetened chocolate at most grocery stores. It's my go-to for keto hot chocolate.
Related: Dirty Chai Recipe + 7 Variations You'll Like a Latte
Yummy Things to Mix Into Hot Chocolate
While nothing quite beats the comfort of classic hot chocolate, there are so many tasty things you can add to give it a bit more zip. Stir in one of these add-ins for a tasty twist.
- Peppermint (add peppermint candy, a dash of peppermint extract, or use mint-flavored chips)
- Vanilla (add a dash of vanilla extract to the cocoa)
- Coffee (add instant espresso to the pan as you cook)
- Pecans (add pecan syrup to the cocoa)
- Chocolate-covered strawberry (either add strawberry extract or strawberry candy)
- Dark chocolate (use dark chocolate chips)
- Coconut (add a dash of coconut extract and use coconut milk)
- White chocolate (use white chocolate chips)
- Almond (add a dash of almond extract)
- Hazelnut (add a tablespoon or two of Nutella)
- Peanut (add a tablespoon of peanut butter)
- Raspberry (add a dash of raspberry extract)
- Nutmeg (garnish with a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg)
- Cinnamon (add a pinch of cinnamon to the pan)
Hot chocolate and hot cocoa are similar, but they are not the same beverage. Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, while hot chocolate is made with melted chocolate. Both will have a strong chocolate flavor, but the hot cocoa will have a sharper edge, while the hot chocolate will be sweeter with a creamier texture. It's all about preference!
Don't Forget the Toppings
Sure, what's in the mug is important. But never, ever, ever forget what goes on top of what's in the mug. We're always fans of the classic marshmallows or whipped cream. It wouldn't be hot chocolate without that, really. But you can garnish the garnish to make it extra-special.
- Sprinkle on some sprinkles.
- Drizzle with chocolate sauce or caramel sauce.
- Sprinkle with crushed-up hard candy.
- Add a few chocolate chips.
- Chopped hazelnuts add crunch and flavor.
- Sift on some unsweetened cocoa powder.
- Crush up some cookies or graham crackers and sprinkle them on top.
- Add a few mini M&M candies.
- Chop up your favorite candy bar and sprinkle it on top.
- Sprinkle on some toffee bits.
- Sprinkle on some ground cinnamon.
- Add some toasted coconut flakes.
Cuddle Up With Homemade Hot Chocolate
Is there anything cozier than your favorite flannel PJs, warm fuzzy slippers, a soft throw, a good book, and a mug of hot chocolate? Nah — we didn't think so. And with our hot chocolate recipes, it's time to snuggle up with a warm chocolate hug.
