The holidays are meant for hot chocolate, and while hot chocolate on its own is delicious, sometimes it can get old. To spice up your next holiday gathering, try changing up how you serve your hot chocolate. Check out these fun twists on regular hot chocolate that you can use on your own homemade recipe or even on a regular powdered hot chocolate mix.
1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Hot Cocoa photo by Pro Church Media (@prochurchmedia) on UnsplashMake your hot chocolate a little more minty by adding some peppermint extract to your hot chocolate. You can make it a bit more festive by adding a candy cane as a garnish!
2. Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
If you want a richer hot chocolate, try making it with heavy cream, a spoonful of caramel sauce, and a pinch of salt. This is bound to be a crowd pleaser!
3. Cinnamon White Chocolate Hot Chocolate
American marshmellow photo by Stefen Tan (@stefentan) on UnsplashAdd some cinnamon and white chocolate chips to your hot cocoa to change up the taste. You can add whipped cream and a cinnamon stick stirrer for added effect.
4. Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Cup, mug, coffee and drink HD photo by Jakub Dziubak (@jckbck) on UnsplashMelt some peanut butter to mix into your hot cocoa to give it a nutty flavor. Try making your cocoa with milk too, to make sure it stays creamy.
5. Coffee Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate in a mug photo by Rachael Gorjestani (@rachaelgorjestani) on UnsplashMake some coffee to mix with you hot chocolate. Find the ratio that you like best!
6. Orange Hot Chocolate
Christmas chocolate photo by Vanesa conunaese (@conunaese) on UnsplashIf you like orange, try mixing some dark chocolate chips and orange zest into your hot cocoa.
7. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Drink, hoto chocolate, mug and cup HD photo by Alisa Anton (@alisaanton) on UnsplashGive your hot cocoa some real spice by adding a spoonful of maple syrup and a dash of pumpkin spice!
8. Nutella Hot Chocolate
Beverage, whipped cream, chocolate and cocoa HD photo by Food Photographer | Jennifer Pallian (@foodess) on UnsplashIf you love Nutella, add it to your hot cocoa! Put a spoonful of Nutella and a pinch of salt into your hot chocolate.
9. S'mores Hot Chocolate
Winter, traditional, hot chocolate and marshmallow HD photo by rawpixel (@rawpixel) on UnsplashAdd a splash of Torani's Toasted Marshmallow syrup to your drink and top it with lots of mini marshmallows!
10. Eggnog Hot Chocolate
Beverage, chocolate, cream and cookie HD photo by rawpixel (@rawpixel) on UnsplashPut a splash of eggnog into your hot chocolate instead of milk!
11. Candied Bacon Hot Chocolate
Pouring pots de crème photo by Erol Ahmed (@erol) on UnsplashCook some bacon, coat it in brown sugar and bake it for about 5 minutes on each side. Use the bacon and some whipped cream to garnish your drink at the end.
12. Earl Grey Tea Hot Chocolate
Coffee, cup, mug and scarf HD photo by Brigitte Tohm (@brigittetohm) on UnsplashIf you love Earl Grey tea then you'll love this hot chocolate recipe. Heat some heavy cream on the stove and use it to steep your tea. Mix in your chocolate chips to the steeped tea milk and top with whipped cream.
13. Cinnamon Roll Hot Chocolate
Coffee photo by Alina Kovalchuk (@moonofviolet) on UnsplashIf you want your hot cocoa to taste like a cinnamon roll, add a splash of vanilla extract, some cinnamon, and some white chocolate chips.
14. White Chocolate Blackberry Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate photo by Magda Fou (@magdafou) on UnsplashLet some blackberries simmer a while, drain the juice, and add it into your hot cocoa with some white chocolate chips and milk. If you want, blend what's left of the blackberries after juicing to make a drizzle for on top!
15. Chai Hot Chocolate
Drink, beverage, hot chocolate and book HD photo by Alisa Anton (@alisaanton) on UnsplashBrew some chai and add it to your hot cocoa with lots of milk and cinnamon!