Simple Hot Chocolate, Three Ways

Whether you're looking to cater to kids, whip up something spicy or create after-dinner cocktails, here are three tasty (and toasty!) ways to serve hot chocolate.
Hot Chocolate Variations

Simple Hot Chocolate Recipes

Whether you’re looking to cater to kids, whip up something spicy or create after dinner cocktails, here are three creative ways to serve hot chocolate.

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Whether you’re looking to cater to kids, whip up something spicy or create after dinner cocktails, here are three creative ways to serve hot chocolate.

Using the same hot cocoa mix, you can customize recipes to suit any occasion by simply changing up the mixings.

This hot chocolate bar is stocked with a variety of ingredients to create one version that's kid-friendly, one that's spicy and another that's part cocktail.

For Kids: Peppermint Ice Cream Hot Chocolate

This peppermint ice cream hot chocolate is the perfect combination of rich and sweet.

Ingredients
3-4 tablespoons of milk chocolate cocoa mix
8 ounces of 2 percent milk
2 scoops of peppermint ice cream
1 bar of baking chocolate, crushed
6.5 ounce bottle of whipped cream

Instructions
1. Heat milk on the stovetop in a saucepan, constantly stirring without bringing the milk to a boil.
2. Once the milk is heated, remove it from the stove and add cocoa mix.
3. Stir until the mix has dissolved, then add 2 scoops of peppermint ice cream to an oversized mug.
4. After condensation causes the mug to frost, pour hot chocolate over the ice cream, add whipped cream, then sprinkle crushed shards of baking chocolate on top.

Hot Chocolate and Peppermint Ice Cream

Peppermint Ice Cream Hot Chocolate

Kid’s Treat, Peppermint Ice Cream Hot Chocolate

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Kid’s Treat, Peppermint Ice Cream Hot Chocolate

For Spice Lovers: Merry Mexican Hot Chocolate

Add a kick to your hot chocolate with a spicy Mexican classic.

Ingredients
3-4 tablespoons of milk chocolate cocoa mix
1 cup of 2 percent milk
1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon
1/4 cup of marshmallows
1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg
pinch of cayenne pepper
two cinnamon sticks

Instructions
1. Heat milk on the stovetop in a saucepan, constantly stirring without bringing the milk to a boil.
2. Add cocoa mix, cinnamon, nutmeg and cayenne pepper to the mug.
3. Pour heated milk into the mug, constantly stirring it with the mixture.
4. Add marshmallows, then top off with a final pinch of cinnamon.
5. Garnish with cinnamon sticks.

Spicy Hot Chocolate

Merry Mexican Hot Chocolate

Spice Lovers, Merry Merry Mexican Hot Chocolate

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

Spice Lovers, Merry Merry Mexican Hot Chocolate

For Adults: Boozy Double-Chocolate Hot Chocolate

Add something for the adults with liqueur-infused hot chocolate.

Ingredients
3-4 tablespoons of milk chocolate cocoa mix
1 cup of 2 percent milk
2 ounces of chocolate syrup
1.5 ounces of chocolate liqueur
1 crunchy strip of bacon
1.5 ounces of whipped cream-flavored vodka

Instructions
1. Heat milk on the stovetop in a saucepan, constantly stirring without bringing the milk to a boil.
2. Add cocoa mix to the mug, then add in heated milk while stirring constantly.
3. Add the chocolate liqueur, chocolate syrup and whipped cream vodka.
4. Garnish the rim of the mug with drips of chocolate syrup.
5. Take your boozy creation to the next level by adding chocolate syrup to the strip of crunchy bacon and placing it in the mug.

Hot Chocolate with Chocolate Liqueur

Boozy Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate

For Adults, Boozy Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate

Photo by: Brian Patrick Flynn

Brian Patrick Flynn

For Adults, Boozy Double Chocolate Hot Chocolate

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