6 Crazy-Good Hot Chocolate Recipes You Need To Try This Winter!

Winter nights are synonymous with hot chocolate. But how many times can one possibly continue to scoop two teaspoons of cocoa into hot milk? It can get a bit… boring (dare we say anything bad about chocolate!).

We’ve compiled six mouth-watering recipes that incorporate flavours we know and love into the traditional hot drink. There’s something for the kids, teens and adults too!

So here they are – drool-worthy, #nofilterneeded, delicious hot chocolates that are definite game-changers.

The hardest bit? Which one to make first! 😉

1. The Unicorn Hot Chocolate

Original recipe from Imperial Sugar here.

Prep time: 10 mins

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk

1 tsp vanilla

1 tbsp extra-fine granulated sugar

28g (4 ounces) white chocolate, chopped

Pink food colouring

Chantilly cream

Sprinkles

Mini marshmallows

Coloured icing

Method

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, vanilla, sugar and white chocolate. Add 2 drops of pink food colouring.
2. Heat on low, stirring constantly until the chocolate is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Remove from the heat.
3. Prepare the mugs by lining the rims with coloured icing and dipping into sprinkles.
4. Pour the warm hot chocolate mix into the mugs and top with whipped cream, (more) sprinkles, marshmallows and extra frosting if you like!

2. Strawberry Sweethearts Cocoa

Original recipe from Two Peas In Their Pod here.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cooking time: 10 mins

Serves 2

Ingredients

1 cup mini choc chips

4 tbsp butter

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 pint strawberry ice-cream

4 cups of water

Whipped cream and sprinkles to serve

Method

1. In a medium-sized bowl, melt the choc chips. Dip the top of your mugs into the chocolate and set aside, allowing them to harden.
2. In a medium pot, whisk together the butter, sugar and ice-cream over a medium-high heat until melted.
3. Whisk in the water one cup at a time until you reach a texture you’re happy with. Heat until steaming.
4. Pour the mix into your choc-rimmed mugs and top with whipped cream and sprinkles!

3. Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

Original recipe from The Green Life here.

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 cups plant-based milk (almond, coconut, etc.)

1/2 medium beetroot, cooked and grated

3 tbsp raw cacao powder

3-6 soft dates, pitted and chopped

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

Pinch of fine-grain sea salt

Method

1. Place the milk, grated beet, cacao powder, dates, vanilla and cinnamon in a high-speed blender and blend until completely smooth. Taste for sweetness and add more dates if needed. if the beets aren’t completely processed, strain through a mesh sleeve.
2. Transfer the mix to a small saucepan and gentle warm over a low-medium heat, whisking often.
3. Once warm, remove from the heat and pour into mugs. Top with ice-cream, whipped cream or choc shavings if you like!

4 Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Original recipe from Chocolate Moosey here.

Prep time: 15 mins

Cook time: 5 mins

Serves 2

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/4 cup powdered sugar

Pinch of salt

1/2 cup chopped peanut butter cups

1 tbsp smooth peanut butter

Peanut Butter Whipped Cream

1/2 cup heavy whipping cream

1 tbsp powdered sugar

1 tbsp smooth peanut butter

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method

1. In a large saucepan, heat the milk until it is hot (but not boiling). Whisk in the cocoa powder, powdered sugar and salt until smooth.
2. Then whisk in the peanut butter and half the chopped peanut butter cups until melted and smooth.
3. In a large mixing bowl (or a stand-mixer) beat the whipping cream on high speed until soft peaks form. Add the powdered sugar, peanut butter and vanilla then keep beating until mixed.
4. Divide between two mugs and top with the peanut butter cream and the remaining chopped peanut butter cups (YUM)!

5. Mint White Hot Chocolate

Original recipe from The Gracious Wife here.

Cook time: 15 mins

Serves 4-5

Ingredients

2 cups milk

2 cups half & half cream

1 bag of white choc chips

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

Food colouring (optional)

Marshmallows

Method

1. In a large pot, add milk and the half & half cream. Heat over a medium-heat until hot (but not boiling).
2. Stir in the white choc chips until completely melted.
3. Then stir in the food colouring and extracts. Stir until smooth and serve warm!

6. Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate (adults only!)

Original recipe from A Cookie Named Desire here.

Prep time: 3 mins

Cook time: 4 mins

Serves 1

Ingredients

1 cup whole milk

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tbsp cocoa powder

2 tsp brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt

56 g (2 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate

1/2 tsp vanilla

44 ml (1.5 ounces) bourbon

Whipped cream

Caramel topping

Method

1. In a saucepan, add milk, cornstarch and cocoa powder. Whisk well until thoroughly combined.
2. Heat on medium-high and add the brown sugar, salt and chocolate. Stir frequently until the mixture is hot and the chocolate is completely melted.
3. Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and bourbon.
4. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream and caramel.