30 Cozy Hot Chocolate Recipes You'll Be Making All Winter Long
From boozy to frozen to the best-ever original, we've got all the cocoa recipes you need.
One of our favorite parts about winter? The cold, chilly days are the perfect excuse to warm up with a cozy cup of hot chocolate every night of the week. When we think of hot chocolate, we're transported back to playing outside in the snow, warming up chilled fingers with a steaming cup of the chocolatey treat. To satisfy any childhood nostalgia, we've gathered our favorite hot chocolate recipes that offer creative twists on the classic and cozy winter drink. Whether you prefer marshmallows or whipped cream, a boozy bev or non-alcoholic, or even frozen over the hot original, there's a recipe here to satisfy any hot cocoa craving.
If you prefer your hot chocolate as simple as possible, we've got you covered. Our best-ever hot chocolate is the perfect base for any toppings your heart desires, but we promise—it's miles above your average boxed mix. If you're looking to turn this childhood classic into a boozy, adult-friendly bev, we've got plenty of recipes here to take things up a notch. Our Crockpot red wine hot cocoa, RumChata hot cocoa, and pecan pie hot chocolate are the grown-up hot cocoas everyone will be talking about at your holiday party this year. Plus, our customizable hot chocolate bombs not only make the creamiest cup of cocoa, but are a perfect homemade food gift to give away to friends and family this holiday season!
Don't worry, even if it doesn't get chilly where you live, you can still enjoy a cup of cocoa, no matter the weather! Our frozen hot chocolate and Baileys frozen hot chocolate are best enjoyed any time of year, any weather.
Looking for more cold-weather drinks? Check out our favorite Christmas cocktails to bring some cheer to the holiday season.
Best Hot Chocolate
Homemade hot chocolate is infinitely better than boxed mix. And our recipe is extra decadent, thanks to the cup of actual chocolate (not just cocoa powder). Top tip: Don't forget the whipped cream!
Get the Best Hot Chocolate recipe.
White Hot Chocolate
We know that white chocolate can be divisive—you either love it or you can’t stand it. This hot chocolate recipe was created for those in the "love it" camp, though it's so totally wonderful that it might just create converts out of white chocolate haters too.
Get the White Hot Chocolate recipe.
Hot Chocolate Bombs
For those who may have missed this hot cocoa trend, you're essentially dealing with molds of chocolate filled with homemade hot cocoa mix and marshmallows that explode after being dropped into hot milk. And although they're extremely fun to watch unfold, it's not just a novelty thing. The melted chocolate, along with the hot chocolate mix, makes the creamiest drink.
Get the Hot Chocolate Bombs recipe.
Mexican Hot Chocolate
We love the addition of cinnamon and cayenne in this Mexican version, meant for true spice lovers. If you prefer your drinks on the milder side, feel free to forgo the cayenne in favor of a spice that adds less heat, like chili powder.
Get the Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe.
Brownie Batter Hot Chocolate
Who wouldn't want a bit of fudgy brownie batter added to their hot chocolate? Warning: This makes plenty of the chocolatey, brownie batter sauce. Pour any extra over ice cream, or just make a ton of hot chocolate for a crowd. 😉
Get the Brownie Batter Hot Chocolate recipe.
Slow-Cooker Hot Cocoa
We knew the slow cooker could work magic in the dinner department, but we think we've discovered the ultimate hack for the gadget: creamy hot cocoa. The best part? It keeps for a couple hours, so you can come back from playing in the snow for seconds (or thirds... or fourths).
Get the Slow-Cooker Hot Cocoa recipe.
Crockpot Red Wine Hot Cocoa
Let the Crockpot do all the work in preparing your new fave party drink. To give the favorite cold-weather drink a boozy boost, we added a bottle of red wine to really make this cozy drink a party favorite.
Get the Crockpot Red Wine Hot Cocoa recipe.
RumChata Hot Cocoa
We can't get enough of RumChata. Hence the RumChata cupcakes, eggnog, and pudding shots. But adding RumChata to hot cocoa = a match made in heaven.
Get the RumChata Hot Cocoa recipe.
Hot Chocolate Floats
Homemade hot chocolate is super-fudgy and wayyyy more delish than packaged mix, but it's also insanely easy to make on the stovetop. Top each mug off with a scoop of vanilla ice cream and a hot fudge rim for the most decadent cocoa out there.
Get the Hot Chocolate Floats recipe.
Baileys S'mores Floats
The best way to enjoy s'mores in the winter? With boozy floats! This campfire-inspired float is a mix between hot chocolate and milkshakes, and we can't get enough.
Get the Baileys S'mores Floats recipe.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
If you're all about the famous frozen hot chocolate but don't feel like making the trip all the way to New York City, we have the best solution right here. This frozen hot chocolate recipe is the easiest chocolatey dessert when you want something simple, fast, and still impressive.
Get the Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe.
Reese's Hot Chocolate
Everything you love about a Reese's, but in sippable, hot chocolate form. AKA, a peanut butter lover's dream.
Get the Reese's Hot Chocolate recipe.
Pecan Pie Hot Chocolate
We don't know about you, but we crave pecan pie long after Thanksgiving ends. Our solution? We added all the flavors you know and love to this boozy, chilled hot chocolate.
Get the Pecan Pie Hot Chocolate recipe.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa
Even when the fall season is ends, we still can't get enough of pumpkin spice. From that enduring love, this pumpkin spice hot cocoa was born. It adds a boost of fall coziness to this winter classic.
Get the Pumpkin Spice Hot Cocoa recipe.
Chocolate Dippers
Upgrade your favorite hot drink with these customizable hot chocolate dippers. Feel free to top the dippers with whatever you please: marshmallows, crushed candy canes, peanut butter cups... the world is your oyster!
Get the Chocolate Dippers recipe.
Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate
Give this holiday favorite an island getaway vibe with toasted coconut and rum. Perfect for all year round, or when you need a tropical escape during those cold, cold winter days.
Get the Toasted Coconut Hot Chocolate recipe.
Butterbeer Hot Cocoa
If you can't get enough of the famous Butterbeer, why not combine it with classic hot chocolate for a sweet, butterscotch twist? We promise: It's actually kind of magical.
Get the Butterbeer Hot Cocoa recipe.
Bailey's Frozen Hot Chocolate
Most frozen hot chocolate recipes are kinda complicated and involve making a fudge sauce over a double-boiler. It's a lovely method, if you have time, but not completely necessary. Here, you just throw everything into the blender all at once!
Get the Bailey's Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe.
Chocolate-Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate
This cozy winter cocktail will be the cherry on top of the entire winter season. Pair them with our chocolate-covered cherries for the sweetest, most decadent dessert spread to share.
Boozy Death By Hot Cocoa
While classic hot chocolate is an eternal favorite, the addition of vodka is always welcome, however! This extra-rich and chocolatey hot cocoa has not only vodka, but also Baileys and Kahlúa. Safe to say it's our new favorite winter cocktail.
Get the Boozy Death By Hot Cocoa recipe.
Taylor Worden is Delish's Assistant Digital Food Producer, where she creates recipe galleries, recipe updates and more. She was previously a freelance editor on the food team for Good Housekeeping, where she also contributed entertainment and culture pieces as a freelance writer. She graduated from the University of Kansas with a degree in journalism and a lifelong love of writing. When she’s not writing, she can be found reading, testing out a new pasta recipe, or rewatching one of her favorite shows.
