How to Make Spiked Cherry Hot Chocolate

Take your hot cocoa to the next level with this recipe from HGTV Magazine.

Happy Holiday Hot Chocolate

Photo by: Emily Kate Roemer

Emily Kate Roemer

Related To:

Time: 10 minutes | Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 4 cups whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Pinch of salt
  • 1/2 cup maraschino liqueur; grenadine; or cherry sundae syrup
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate-covered cherries, chopped
  • Red sanding sugar
  • Sundae cherries

1. Combine the milk, sugar (omit sugar if using grenadine), cocoa powder, chocolate chips, vanilla extract and salt in a medium saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking often, until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth, about 4 minutes. Stir in the maraschino liqueur, grenadine, or syrup. Divide among 4 mugs. 

2. Top each mug with whipped cream, chocolate-covered cherries, a pinch of red sanding sugar and a sundae cherry.

Next Up

How to Make Christmas Tree Cone Cupcakes

Ice cream cones turned upside-down provide an ideal structure to assemble sweet Christmas tree cupcake toppers. Whether it's traditional greens and reds or fun, unconventional pinks and blues, any festive color palette will make these the star of the dessert table.

Endlessly Customizable Layered Cheesecake Bars

Just one pan of these 3-in-1 cheesecake bars will fill your entire dessert tray or a Christmas tin for gifting. Get creative by swapping in your own fillings and toppings, or use our easy guide for the season’s most tempting flavors: Cookies ‘n Cream, Peppermint Patty and Pecan Pie. They all come from one pan and the variety is sure to please a crowd.

Gift or Enjoy: Endlessly Customizble Christmas Shortbread Cookies Recipe

Whether you're gifting them or serving them at a holiday party, we'll help you fill your Christmas cookie tray with ease. We’ve formulated one easy shortbread dough to be the base for three different cookie flavors. Cranberry-Orange and Toffee-Chocolate Chip are enticing and holiday appropriate, while Smoked Cheddar-Jalapeño offers an unexpected savory bite. Whatever their favorite flavor — this sweet or savory shortbread cookie recipe promises something for everyone.

Edible C9 Christmas Bulb Cookie Ornaments

Celebrate the holidays in retro style with a delicious cookie that doubles as a Christmas tree ornament, a party favor or a fun, homemade food gift. C9 bulb-shaped cookies are decorated in a rainbow of royal icing colors, with twinkling sanding sugars to match.

Homemade Christmas Cookies for Dogs Recipe

No pups on the naughty list here! Santa knows that all dogs are nice year-round, so they deserve a special homemade holiday treat. Chicken broth and sweet potato give these cut-out cookies the flavor of a holiday dinner, while nutritional yeast gives them cheesy flavor without adding any dairy products.

How to Make a DIY Hot Air Balloon Ornament for Christmas

Take your holiday decoration game to the next level with this unique, classy and carefully crafted DIY hot air balloon ornament for Christmas.

HGTV Obsessed Episode 1: Albie Mushaney

Mike and Kat talk with Albie Mushaney, a real estate agent and a professional bodybuilder known as "Big Bad Santa." They discuss Albie's holiday special You’ll Be Home for Christmas. Plus, they get holiday decorating tips from designer David Bromstad.

Make Your Own Pomander Balls

Bring the scents and sights of Christmas to your holiday table with fresh citrus and cloves.

Christmas at Biltmore

Celebrating the holidays in grand Gilded Age style is a time-honored tradition at Asheville, N.C.'s Biltmore House. Tour the grand mansion, decked in Christmas finery, plus get decorating tips from Biltmore's experts so you can bring the luxe look home.

How to Keep Cats Out of Christmas Trees

These handy tips and tricks are sure to keep your furry feline friend out of harm's way this holiday season.

Go Shopping

Get product recommendations from HGTV editors, plus can’t-miss sales and deals.

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss HGTV in your favorite social media feeds.