Then, if you are an adult, there’s always the question of whether or not to spike your hot chocolate on a cold winter’s night. Does a bourbon or Kahlua hot chocolate sound enticing? What about a warm chocolate eggnog? Those are all great, but over the years I’ve gone even further afield, experimenting with surprising spirits to delicious results.

What Spirits Work Best in Hot Chocolate?

For me, the very best is the green, intensely herbal French liqueur called Chartreuse. In fact, hot cocoa and Chartreuse is a popular drink served at ski resorts in the French Alps, where it’s called Verte Chaud. Beyond that, I’ve had success with a wide range of spirits such as spiced rum, tequila, mezcal, absinthe, kirsch (a cherry-flavor schnapps) or Fernet Branca.

Like with Chartreuse, the savory, herbal qualities of tequila and mezcal blend very well with thick, rich chocolate. Below, I’ve shared my very favorite hot chocolate cocktail, the Green Lantern, originally created by bartender Jim Meehan of PDT in New York.

What Hot Chocolate Mixes Best With Booze?

I’ve tested a number of different methods and techniques, but as a rule of thumb, I find that the more expensive, darker, higher-cocoa-percentage chocolates don’t work best in hot chocolate. In plenty of recipes, sweeter chocolate, with 65% cacao or less, or sweet Mexican chocolate work best. Cocoa powder also works well, and you’d be hard-pressed to beat that old standby, Hershey’s Natural Unsweetened Cocoa Powder.

How to Make a Green Lantern

Green Chartreuse and hot chocolate is a popular aprs-ski drink in the French Alps. This version adds a Mexican twist with a little tequila and spice to light your lantern. This works really well with sweet Mexican chocolate, such as Ibarra or Nestle’s Abuelita brands, but be sure to stir or whisk well to avoid a gritty texture.

Ingredients

• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• Pinch of salt
• 3 ounces of Mexican sweet chocolate, chopped
• 1 1/2 ounces tequila, preferably aejo
• 1/2 ounce green Chartreuse
• 1 dash Cholula hot sauce
• Pinch dried, crushed ancho chili

Instructions

Step 1: Make the hot chocolate

In a saucepan, heat the milk, cocoa powder and salt, whisking constantly to combine until the mixture comes to a boil. Remove from heat and add the chopped Mexican chocolate, whisking vigorously until it’s fully combined. Makes five servings.

Step 2: Mix in the booze

Add 5 ounces of the hot chocolate to a heatproof mug, along with the tequila, Chartreuse and hot sauce. Sprinkle a pinch of dried chili on top as a garnish.

Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes That Bring the Heat

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Honey-Bourbon Hot ChocolateMy husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania

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Need something for the kiddos? Put some glow in your holiday party with more hot cocoa ideas.

Spiked White Hot Chocolate

Brown Eyed Baker sourced the recipe for her hot chocolate from a bartender in Pennsylvania. The drink is a mixture of ground white chocolate, whipped cream vodka, steamed milk, whipped cream and crushed candy canes. Sip while you wrap Christmas presents or watch a Hallmark holiday marathon!Here are 20+ more ways to use up your candy cane stash.

Rich Hot ChocolateEach winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

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Whiskey Hot Chocolate

Katy MacKinnon at My Dish Is Bomb doesn't fool around with her hot chocolate. (It's not hot cocoa, but don't worry, she'll explain.) She adds some chili powder along with the whiskey for an extra kick! Here are more unexpected ideas for hot cocoa mix-ins.

Crackling Hot CocoaThis hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-upit's rich and thick decadence in a mug. Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

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Spiked Vegan Hot Chocolate

Even when you (or your guests) are vegan, you can still get hot-chocolatey. Bourbon doesn't come from a cow! Neither do almond milk, maple syrup or vegan dark chocolate. Put them all together in this Debbie Dishes recipe and you'll be warm and toasty.

Hazelnut Hot ChocolateVanilla beans and a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico lend a sophisticated flavor to this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert. Michael Compean, Fountain Hills, Arizona

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Kahlua Hot ChocolateWhen we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahla adds a touch of fabulous. Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California

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The post The Surprising Ingredients You Should Use to Spike Hot Chocolate appeared first on Taste of Home.

A few years ago, the internet found itself searching endlessly for its new favorite trend. We wanted something exciting and delicious. That’s obviously why we fell so hard for whipped coffeeairy, creamy and full of everything we need for a perfect morning start. But that wasn’t enough. We wanted more, more, more. That’s when we set our eyes on all the whipped drink possibilities. Whipped pumpkin spice, Nutella, strawberry milk and matcha. If it was whippable, we whipped it.

I’ve been patiently waiting for the whipped trend to come back, and it finally has. Whipped hot chocolate is the internet’s new favorite drink, and we’re about to tell you all about it.

What Is Whipped Hot Chocolate?

This particular concoction came from Eloise over on @fitwafflekitchen. She always has our sweet seal of approval.

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A post shared by Fitwaffle Kitchen | Eloise (@fitwafflekitchen)

It’s a whipped hot chocolate topping over either hot chocolate or cold chocolate milkwhichever you prefer for the season. In this particular video, Eloise uses her hot chocolate whip over chocolate milk. As we trudge into the colder winter months, though, I know we’ll be whipping up some tasty hot drinks to enjoy as the snow begins to fall.

Here are even more hot chocolate recipes worth pouring over and over again.

How to Make Whipped Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp hot chocolate powder
• 5 tbsp heavy whipping cream
• Chocolate milk (warmed or cold)
• Mini marshmallows for topping

Equipment

• Medium bowl
• Electric mixer
• Piping supplies
• Cups or mugs for pouring

To make, mix your hot chocolate powder into your heavy whipping cream in a medium bowl. Combine with an electric mixer until you get soft peaks. Fill your piping bag with the whipped hot chocolate and pick your desired nozzle. Pour the chocolate milk into mugs and pipe the whipped hot chocolate on top to your desired amount. Top with mini marshmallows and enjoy!

If you’re unsure of the difference between heavy cream and whipping cream, don’t worry. You’re not the only one. They’re very similiar dairy products with a slight difference. Heavy cream typically has a fat content of 36% while whipping cream has anywhere between 30-36%. This type of cream lends itself better to desserts.

Other Cozy Holiday Drinks to Make

There are plenty of drinks out there to make you feel warm and cozy. Here are a few of our favorites:

• Homemade hot cocoa: A nostalgic drink full of delicious chocolate flavor that brings us right back to our childhoods, no matter how old we are.
• Slow-cooker apple cider: A warm, fruity drink that makes us want to wander around a pumpkin patch with our closest friends.
• Mulled wine: A perfect compliment to a cold Christmas day. Enjoy around a fireplace with family as you regale about old times.
• Hot cranberry cider: The most wonderful mix between fall and winter. This sweet drink is as tasty as it is beautiful.

More Hot Chocolate Recipes to Love

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Cozy Hot ChocolateSteaming mugs of these smooth beverages are a nice anytime treat with my husband, Ken.Marie Hattrup, Sonoma, California

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Also, check out the best hot chocolate mixes according to cocoa and cozy experts along with the best hot chocolate gift sets for your loved ones this season. Of course, a warm culinary delight can do wonders but a snow ice cream can be the perfect dessert for the season!

Fluffy Hot ChocolateThis is our daughter's favorite hot chocolate recipe. It may look like ordinary cocoa, but a touch of vanilla sets it apart from the rest. And the melted marshmallows give it a frothy body you won't get from a cocoa packet. Jo Ann Schimcek, Weimar, Texas

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Honey-Bourbon Hot ChocolateMy husband and I like to enjoy this grown-up version of hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. It's even better made with honey-flavored bourbon if you can find that in your local store. Andrea Harvath, Duncannon, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Pumpkin Spice Hot ChocolateMy mom makes this hot chocolate with pumpkin, spices and white chocolate. We usually drink it on Halloween, but its delish at Christmas too. Sasha King, Westlake Village, California

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Rich Hot ChocolateEach winter in early February my friends and I gather for an outdoor show called Mittenfest. We skip the Bloody Marys and fill our thermoses with these hot cocoas instead.

Go to Recipe

Hazelnut Hot ChocolateVanilla beans and a hazelnut liqueur like Frangelico lend a sophisticated flavor to this hot chocolate. With such rich taste, it could be served as a dessert. Michael Compean, Fountain Hills, Arizona

Go to Recipe

Landmark Hot ChocolateWith or without a nip of rum, my hot chocolate recipe has been a Wisconsin winter warmer for years. When the toboggan hills are calling, I skip the whipped cream and take a thermos to go. Its always a hit and it ensures nobody is left out in the cold! Mark Phillips, Bayfield, Wisconsin

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Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

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Favorite Hot ChocolateYou need just a few basic ingredients to stir up this spirit-warming sipper. The comforting beverage is smooth and not too sweet, making it just right for cozy chilly nights. Flo Snodderly, North Vernon, Indiana

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Mexican Hot ChocolateThis delicious, not-too-sweet Mexican hot chocolate is richly flavored with cocoa and delicately seasoned with spices. The whole-stick cinnamon stirrers come in handy, as the old-fashioned chocolate mixture settles if not stirred before drinking. The blend of cinnamon and chocolate flavors is wonderful! Kathy Young, Weatherford, Texas

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Crackling Hot CocoaThis hot chocolate recipe is more than a warm-you-upit's rich and thick decadence in a mug. Cyndi Nistico, Palm Island, Florida

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Vanilla Almond Hot CocoaTreat your family to this comforting, homemade cocoa as you decorate the tree or open holiday gifts. Vanilla and almond extracts make it taste even more special. Vicki Holloway, Joelton, Tennessee

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Kahlua Hot ChocolateWhen we want a cup of hot chocolate, we prefer homemade over store mixes. A splash of Kahla adds a touch of fabulous. Chung-Ah Rhee, Hollywood, California

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Hot Cocoa with Almond MilkChange up ordinary hot cocoa by stirring some dark baking cocoa into vanilla almond milk. Top it off with a plain large marshmallow or berry marshmallow creme, if you like, and add your favorite pretty sprinkles. Cindy Reams, Philipsburg, Pennsylvania

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Melting SnowmanAfter an afternoon of sledding, kids will love to warm up with hot chocolate and these special snowman toppers. The snowmen will disappear as they sip and so will the chill on their fingers and toes! Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Raspberry Hot CocoaGarnished with whipped cream, chocolate curls and raspberry-flavored marshmallows, this cool-weather favorite goes from everyday to extra-special. Andrew McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois

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Peppermint Hot ChocolateMore than a hint of cool mint makes this delicious sipper a special switch from traditional hot chocolate. Besides the rich beverage that's quick to fix, a dollop of whipped cream with crushed candy tops each mug lusciously. Taste of Home Test Kitchen

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Ghostly Hot CocoaChocolate pudding mix is the convenient start to this clever cocoa mix. Kids of all ages get a kick out of the marshmallow ghost floating on top. Ruby Gibson, Newton, North Carolina

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Up Next, learn how to make hot chocolate brownies just like Christina Tosi, queen of sweet treats and nostalgic flavors, and some delicious whipped hot chocolate.

The post We Tried This 3-Ingredient Whipped Hot Chocolate and It’s Perfect for the Holidays appeared first on Taste of Home.

Picture it: You’ve just come inside after a long day of holiday shopping (don’t miss out on these hot chocolate gift sets), shoveling or playing in the snow with the kids. The sweet treat you’re craving has got to be hot chocolatebut not just any hot cocoa; you want a hot chocolate mix so you can get cozy fast.

The Search for the Best Hot Chocolate Mix

As soon as the temperatures dropped, our Test Kitchen squad was ready to search for the best hot chocolate mix to warm up on cold days. For this delicious taste test, our experts wrangled up all of the most popular cocoa brands and put them in a head-to-head test. The brands were kept a secret while our pros sipped and judged each according to these categories.

• Chocolate flavor:The quality of cocoa is key in hot chocolate. Our team enjoys both milk and dark chocolateif they are of a certain caliber. Overly sweet or bland hot chocolates just aren’t satisfying.
• Creaminess:Even when made with water, packaged hot cocoa should still taste creamy.
• Coziness: What sets an OK packet of cocoa apart from the best hot chocolate mix is the cozy factor. Would you want to come in from the cold and savor a cup? Does it hit the spot when it comes to your chocolate and comfy cravings?

Our Test Kitchen-Preferred Hot Chocolate Brands

Several mugfuls later, our team found four brandsmany of which you may not have expectedthat deserve the title of Test Kitchen-Preferred.

Best Overall Hot Chocolate Mix

Land O Lakes Chocolate Supreme Cocoa Mix

Land O Lakes is so much more than butter and cream, though the brand does make one of our Test Kitchen’s favorite butters. It turns out that the brand also makes a dynamite hot chocolate: Land O Lakes Chocolate Supreme Cocoa Mix.

This mix lived up to its name; mugs of this hot cocoa were supremely chocolaty. Landing somewhere between sweet milk chocolate and bold dark chocolate, Land O Lakes made a mix to please chocolate fanatics of all kinds.

Our pros say that this hot chocolate mix checks all the other boxes in our test, too. Even when made with water, this mix was rich and creamyalmost buttery in some ways. And it definitely hit on our Test Kitchen’s all-important cozy factor. This was just a great cup that had the team reaching for the mini marshmallows and wanting to queue up a Hallmark Christmas movie.

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Best Cafe-Style Hot Cocoa

Starbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix

When you’re not stirring up a mug of cocoa at home, chances are you’re indulging in a cup at your favorite cafe. For the best of both worldscafe flavor but in your PJsour Test Kitchen recommendsStarbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix.

These cocoa packets make super-rich cocoa. This hot chocolate isn’t too sweet, rather it had a nice dark chocolate flavor. While stirring, our testers noticed flecks of real chocolate that melted right into the drink. When there are bits of chocolate and not just cocoa powder, you know this sipper is going to be extra delish.

While this mix isn’t quite the same as getting your favorite Starbucks holiday drink, it’s still darn delicious and worth keeping in your cupboard.

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Creamiest Hot Chocolate Mix

Godiva Chocolatier Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa

While we think of cocoa first when it comes to a good cup of hot chocolate, you can’t underestimate the role that milk plays in making this treat so satisfying. For an extra creamy cup, our Test Kitchen recommends Godiva Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa.

Mugs of this cocoa are sweetexactly what you expect and want from milk chocolateand incredibly creamy. The texture of the chocolate and the milk together with this mix created a pairing our testers couldn’t resist. This hot chocolate mix needed no doctoring up with extra whipped cream or marshmallows.

And for the cocoa flavor? It was divine. But what else do you expect from one of the biggest names in chocolate?

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Best Grown-Up Hot Cocoa

Williams-Sonoma Classic Hot Chocolate

We may think of hot cocoa as more of a kids’ drink, especially when loaded up with mini marshmallows, but hot chocolate can be a sophisticated sip for a more mature crowd. Less sugar and more dark chocolate flavor is a winning combo for adults, and you’ll find it with Williams-Sonoma Classic Hot Chocolate,

Right away, our testing team noticed the dark color of this cup, which signals decadent sips to come. This hot cocoa has a dramatic dark chocolate flavor which is a nice departure from most mixes. Williams-Sonoma hot chocolate also has flecks of real chocolate and great bodyeven when made with water.

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How to Make the Most of Your Hot Chocolate Mix

While a cup of cocoa on its own can be a great treat, there are lots of ways to take this cozy beverage to the next level. Creative cocoa mix-ins, like baking spices, peppermint and dulce de leche all add even more flavor to this rich treat.

If you’re planning on serving cocoa for a special occasionbe it Christmas or just coming in after sleddingyou can take it to the next level by creating your own hot chocolate bar or hot cocoa board. Festivities like this are the perfect excuse to take out all your cute mugs and serving trays.

More Test Kitchen-Preferred Foods

The post The Best Hot Chocolate Mixes According to Cocoa and Cozy Experts appeared first on Taste of Home.

Harry & David Winter Designs Hot Chocolate Bombs

The winter designs on these Belgian hot chocolate bombs scream, “I’m ready to cozy up with a Christmas movie.” The Harry & David gift comes with six bombs featuring a snowman, a Christmas tree and snowflake designs. The best part? They explode with marshmallows andchocolate chips.

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t totally blown away by the designs when they arrived on my doorstep. But oh my goodness the flavors these cuties pack are impeccable. I’ve tested a variety of hot chocolate bombs, and the rich chocolatey sweetness inside these beauties is spot on. While some drinking chocolate lacks in flavor, this set satisfies my sweet tooth in every way possible. If you need me, I’ll be buying this hot chocolate gift set for everyone on my list.

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The post 11 Best Hot Chocolate Bombs You Need This Holiday Season appeared first on Taste of Home.

You’re probably thinking, can you even make cold hot chocolate? I get itit’s definitely an oxymoron, but it is possible to turn winter’s favorite drink into an icy treat worth enjoying no matter the weather.

What Is Frozen Hot Chocolate?

It’s just what it sounds like: hot chocolate that’s frozen. This blended drink combines chocolate, cocoa powder, milk and ice. You can keep the ingredients list short and simple with just the essentials, or indulge in a decadent version like the drinks from Serendipity 3 in New York.

Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe

This recipe makes about four servings.

Ingredients

• 5 ounces chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1-1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups whole milk
• 4 cups ice
• The garnishes of your choosing, like marshmallows, whipped cream or sprinkles

Tools You’ll Need

• Blender: This reliable and sturdy KitchenAid was one of our Test Kitchen’s picks for the best blenders.
• Saucepan:Look for a saucepan with a wooden handleit’ll stay cool as you mix this recipe’s chocolate base.
• Measuring Cups: You need to keep good measuring cups handy!

Directions

Step 1: Mix the chocolate base

The foundation of a great hot chocolatefrozen or otherwiseis a great chocolaty base. For this recipe, combine your chocolate, cocoa powder, confectioners’ sugar and one cup of milk (save the other cup for later) into a small pot. Warm over medium heat, stirring until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is nice and smooth. Keep a close eye on this oneyou don’t want it to boil.

Step 2: Blend the frozen hot chocolate together

Now’s the time to break out your blender. Pour your chocolate mixture inside along with the other cup of milk, the vanilla extract and ice. Then blend away until your mixture is nice and smooth.

Editor’s Tip: To make this taste a bit more like the holidays, substitute in a half teaspoon of peppermint extract for the vanilla. Who doesn’t love a good chocolate and mint treat?

Step 3: Garnish with chocolate shavings

Serve up your frozen hot chocolate in any mug or glass you like, but be sure to give it a little garnish. I like a big dollop of homemade whipped cream and some chocolate shavings. But you can mix it up however you like with sprinkles, caramel, crushed peppermint candies or whatever toppings you love.

The result is an exceptionally chocolaty drink that’s as rich as it is refreshing!

The post How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate appeared first on Taste of Home.