20 best hot chocolate recipes to keep you warm this winter
Stay warm this season with these ultra-cozy hot chocolate recipes.
Rich Hot Chocolate
Try this rich hot chocolate in various flavour combinations like pumpkin-spiced and chocolate-orange for a different take on this classic winter beverage.
Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods
“Who doesn’t love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbours, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hazelnut Hot Chocolate
“Vanilla beans and a hazelnut like Frangelico lend a sophisticated flavour to this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert.” —Michael Compean, Fountain Hills, Arizona
Pumpkin-Spiced Hot Chocolate
“As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, I think of pumpkins and my mother. She served pumpkin pie with real hot chocolate. This recipe brings those two amazing scents, and her, back to life for me. To turn your hot chocolate into creamy pumpkin mocha, stir 2 teaspoons of instant coffee into the hot chocolate before adding whipped cream. It’s a great way to warm up after some chilly trick-or-treating!” —J. Morand, Maitland, Ontario
Crackling Hot Cocoa
“This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it’s rich and thick decadence in a mug.” —Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida
Honey-Bourbon Hot Chocolate
“My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It’s even better made with honey-flavoured bourbon if you can find that in your local store.” —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Cozy Hot Chocolate
“Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.”—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
Hot Cocoa with Almond Milk
“Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking
cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Top it off with berry marshmallow creme or a plain large marshmallow, if you like, and add your favourite pretty sprinkles.” —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA
Fluffy Hot Chocolate
“This is our daughter’s favourite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won’t get from a cocoa packet.” —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Holiday Peppermint Mocha
“Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee instead of peppermint.” —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix
“We make batches of this minty, malted milk-flavoured hot chocolate to give as gifts. Be prepared—friends will return the jars for refills!” —Sara Tatham, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
“My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party.” —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
“My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too.” —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
Kahlua Hot Chocolate
“When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous.” —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California
Favourite Hot Chocolate
“You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It’s smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days.” —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN
Get the recipe for Favourite Hot Chocolate.
Gingerbread Hot Cocoa
“Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie!” —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ
Landmark Hot Chocolate
“my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold!” —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin
Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa
“Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special.” —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee
Mexican Hot Chocolate
“This delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavoured with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavours is wonderful!” —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
“I gave this away at our neighbourhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbours who’d made it and was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate is what makes it extra creamy and chocolaty!” —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina
Rich Hot Chocolate
Try this rich hot chocolate in various flavour combinations like pumpkin-spiced and chocolate-orange for a different take on this classic winter beverage.
Dulce de Leche Hot Chocolate Pods
“Who doesn’t love a steamy mug of hot chocolate on a snowy day? Now you can give friends, neighbours, co-workers or anyone who deserves a treat the pleasure of this indulgent drink with these giftable hot chocolate pods.” —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Hazelnut Hot Chocolate
“Vanilla beans and a hazelnut like Frangelico lend a sophisticated flavour to this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert.” —Michael Compean, Fountain Hills, Arizona
Pumpkin-Spiced Hot Chocolate
“As soon as there is a hint of fall in the air, I think of pumpkins and my mother. She served pumpkin pie with real hot chocolate. This recipe brings those two amazing scents, and her, back to life for me. To turn your hot chocolate into creamy pumpkin mocha, stir 2 teaspoons of instant coffee into the hot chocolate before adding whipped cream. It’s a great way to warm up after some chilly trick-or-treating!” —J. Morand, Maitland, Ontario
Crackling Hot Cocoa
“This hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-up—it’s rich and thick decadence in a mug.” —Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida
Honey-Bourbon Hot Chocolate
“My husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It’s even better made with honey-flavoured bourbon if you can find that in your local store.” —Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania
Cozy Hot Chocolate
“Steaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.”—Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California
Hot Cocoa with Almond Milk
“Change up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking
cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Top it off with berry marshmallow creme or a plain large marshmallow, if you like, and add your favourite pretty sprinkles.” —Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, PA
Fluffy Hot Chocolate
“This is our daughter’s favourite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won’t get from a cocoa packet.” —Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas
Holiday Peppermint Mocha
“Make spirits bright with a minty mocha to share under the mistletoe or around the piano. I’ve also stirred in coffee instead of peppermint.” —Lauren Brien-Wooster, South Lake Tahoe, California
Candy Cane Hot Cocoa Mix
“We make batches of this minty, malted milk-flavoured hot chocolate to give as gifts. Be prepared—friends will return the jars for refills!” —Sara Tatham, Plymouth, New Hampshire
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
“My soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party.” —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
“My mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but it’s delish at Christmas too.” —Sasha King, Westlake Village, California
Kahlua Hot Chocolate
“When we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahlúa adds a touch of fabulous.” —Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California
Favourite Hot Chocolate
“You need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. It’s smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy winter days.” —Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, IN
Get the recipe for Favourite Hot Chocolate.
Gingerbread Hot Cocoa
“Are you in the Christmas spirit yet? If not, this special cocoa will do the trick. It’s like drinking a chocolate gingerbread cookie!” —Erika Monroe-Williams, Scottsdale, AZ
Landmark Hot Chocolate
“my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. It’s always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold!” —Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin
Vanilla Almond Hot Cocoa
“Treat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special.” —Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee
Mexican Hot Chocolate
“This delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavoured with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavours is wonderful!” —Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas
Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix
“I gave this away at our neighbourhood Christmas party in cutie-patootie gift bags and was thrilled that I was able to give something to everyone. But the next week I started getting calls from the neighbours who’d made it and was blown away at the response. Everyone loves this! The white chocolate is what makes it extra creamy and chocolaty!” —Mandy Rivers, Lexington, South Carolina