7 Festive Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holiday Season

A festive cup of hot chocolate for the holiday season topped with a gingerbread cookie, surrounded by candles, dried orange slices, and Christmas decorations.

As the temperatures drop and the holiday spirit fills the air, there’s nothing more comforting than a warm cup of hot chocolate. But why settle for the usual when you can try 7 festive hot chocolate recipes that bring something new to the table? Whether you’re craving a spiced classic, a creamy white chocolate delight, or something with a little extra kick, these holiday hot chocolate recipes will make your season feel extra cozy and indulgent. Get ready to elevate your hot chocolate game this winter – these recipes are the perfect way to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.

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Hey folks – I hope you all are doing well!

If you’re looking to warm up with something cozy and indulgent this holiday season, I’ve got the perfect solution – 7 festive hot chocolate recipes that will elevate your winter drinks to a whole new level.

From spiced classics to creative new flavors, each of these holiday hot chocolate recipes is sure to bring comfort and joy to your holidays. Whether you’re hosting a gathering or just treating yourself, these recipes are simple to make and filled with rich, festive flavours that capture the essence of Christmas in every sip.

And if you are looking for more festive and warm holiday drinks, be sure to check this Holiday Spruce Tea – Cozy Winter Drink and Festive Mulled Orange Brandy for Holidays.

Why You’ll Love Theis Holiday Hot Collection

  • Cozy and indulgent: Each holiday hot chocolate recipe is designed to be a comforting, rich treat perfect for cold winter nights.
  • Festive flavors: From peppermint to cinnamon to rich dark chocolate, these recipes offer a variety of flavors that celebrate the season.
  • Easy to make: With simple ingredients and minimal prep time, these hot chocolate recipes are perfect for busy holiday schedules.
  • Perfect for gifting: Whip up a batch of these recipes, and you’ll have a thoughtful homemade gift that everyone will appreciate.

7 Festive Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holiday Season – Flavours

  • Spiced Hot Chocolate. That’s a basic recipe. Take whatever spices you like. In fact, you can use some cayenne or other hot pepper for an extra soul-warming touch.
  • Gingerbread Hot Chocolate. Oh each! Molasses, honey, and warming spices. It’s just a gingerbread cookie in a mug!
Hot Chocolate Collection
  • Candy Cane Hot Chocolate. No words needed. Just add some crushed candy cane when making your hot chocolate.
A festive holiday hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and colorful sprinkles, surrounded by glowing candles, candy canes, and chocolate cookies, creating a cozy Christmas atmosphere.
  • Eggnog White Hot Chocolate. That’s the sweetest version. I would suggest small servings. Perhaps, some alcohol (rum) would cut the sweetness.
  • Orange and Nutmeg Hot Chocolate. That’s the combination made in heaven. Here you have some options. Use either dried (dehydrated) chopped oranges, orange zest or even orange extract. Besides, you can infuse the chocolate with dried oranges and then discard them or live those little bites.
7 Festive Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holiday Season: A cozy cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, garnished with dried orange slices and a festive wooden ornament, surrounded by twinkling candles, Christmas decorations, and golden ornaments for a warm holiday ambiance.
  • Irish Cream Hot Chocolate. Boozy hot chocolate is the best kind of chocolate, right?
  • Lavender Hot Chocolate. That’s not a Christmas flavour, but you know me. Besides, dark chocolate and lavender go so well together.

So many festive ideas! Everyone can find something to your taste.

I hope you enjoy this collection of 7 Festive Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holiday Season and will give the recipe a try. If you do, please let me know in the comment section below, send me a message on Instagram, or share your photos using the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.e your photos by adding the hashtag #havocinthekitchen.

Cheers!

Christmas Hot Chocolate Collection: A festive cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, garnished with dried orange slices and a wooden snowflake ornament, surrounded by glowing candles, sparkling decorations, and golden ornaments, creating a cozy holiday scene.

7 Festive Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Holiday Season

Recipe by Ben | Havocinthekitchen
0.0 from 0 votes
Course: Non-Alcoholic Drinks, ChristmasDifficulty: Easy
Servings

2-4

servings
Prep time

5

minutes
Cooking time

5

minutes

Warm up with 7 festive hot chocolate recipes for the holiday season – from classic spiced to creative new flavours.

Cook Mode

Keep the screen of your device on

Ingredients

  • Hot Chocolate (Basic Recipe):
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/2 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1 tbsp. light brown sugar

  • Spiced Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1 tbsp. light brown sugar (optional)

  • a good pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cardamom each (or other spices of your choice)

  • Candy Cane Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1-2 candy cane, crushed

  • Orange and Nutmeg Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg

  • 1-2 dried orange rings (chopped) or 1 tsp. orange zest

  • Gingerbread Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1 tbsp. honey or sugar

  • 1-2 tbsp. fancy molasses

  • a good pinch of gingerbread, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cardamom (or any combo of your choice)

  • Irish Cream Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1-3 tbsp. Irish cream

  • Lavender Hot Chocolate:
  • ~ 2 cups milk 2%

  • ~ 1/3 cup dark cocoa powder

  • ~ 70-100 gr. dark chocolate (or semi-dark), roughly chopped

  • 1/8 tsp. dried lavender

  • Eggnog White Chocolate:
  • 1,5 cups eggnog

  • ~ 100 gr. white chocolate, roughly chopped

  • a goof pinch of nutmeg

Directions

  • Hot Chocolate (Basic Recipe):
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa and sugar, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth.
  • Adjust sugar if needed. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Spiced Hot Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa, spices, and sugar, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. Adjust spices and sugar, if needed. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Candy Cane Hot Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and crushed candy cane and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. You don’t need to add sugar, but that depends on your taste. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Gingerbread Hot Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa, spices, molasses, and honey (sugar), whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. Adjust spices, molasses, and sugar, if needed. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Irish Cream Hot Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa and sugar, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. Stir in the Irish Cream. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Lavender Hot Chocolate:
  • Crush dried lavender with your fingers or chop it finely. In a saucepan combine the milk with cocoa, lavender, and sugar, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Orange and Nutmeg Hot Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the milk with nutmeg, cocoa and sugar, whisk to incorporate.
  • Add the finely chopped dried oranges or orange zest. Add the chopped chocolate and cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth.
  • Alternatively, you can place 2-4 whole dried orange rings in step 2, to infuse. When hot chocolate is ready, remove the orange and discard. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
  • Eggnog White Chocolate:
  • In a saucepan combine the eggnog with white chocolate and nutmeg. Cook over low-medium heat, stirring with a whisk often, until melted and smooth. Add more nutmeg, if desired. Garnish with whipped cream, if desired.
Hi - I'm Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I'm glad you're here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.

5 Comments

  1. Wow, thanks for all those hot chocolate variations! I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!

  2. So many amazing versions of hot chocolate here Ben, I love them. I’d forgotten how good hot chocolate is until last week someone at my work make some in their slow cooker. Take care and have an amazing Christmas! :-)

  3. Holy Santa Claus for sure! I love this collection of hot chocolate flavors, Ben. Robbie took a sip of his first hot chocolate (technically just hot cocoa) the other day – he kinda liked it, but was still a little unsure about it. I think the concept of a warm drink is still a bit odd to him. Either way, I need all of these flavors in my life – especially the eggnog one! Actually, I’ll take 2 eggnog and leave you the lavender. Deal? :-) Merry Christmas to both of you!

  4. Liz

    Oh, my gosh, such a delicious collection of hot chocolate recipes! We’re pretty boring around here, but I may need to spice things up for the holidays!!! Enjoy your break and Merry Christmas!

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