Here for the HolidaysHere for the Holidays

10 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate

December 03 2021

Looking to upgrade the holiday season's official drink? Look no further for 10 easy tricks to upgrade your hot chocolate. Try out a recipe this Christmas with friends and family or set out a variety of toppings for them to make their own.

1. SPICES

Add delicious flavor and zing to your hot cocoa by adding a sprinkle of spice on top or swirled into your hot drink. Experiment a little with what's in your pantry or try one of these:

  • Cinnamon
  • Nutmeg
  • Cayenne Pepper
  • Cardamom
  • Ginger
  • Lavender

2. PEPPERMINT

Everyone loves stirring up their hot cocoa with a candy cane for a bit of minty flavor. This year go all out with crushed candy canes or peppermints melted into your drink or on top of the whipped cream.

3. EVEN MORE CHOCOLATE

This is for serious chocolate lovers only. Bump up the chocolate flavor by adding pieces of chocolate into a mug before the hot liquid. The result is a richer chocolate flavor. Add chocolate chips or chocolate shavings to the top for the final touch.

4. FLAVOR EXTRACTS

Try adding a few drops of a complementary flavor extract to your mug for an unexpected treat. We like:

  • Vanilla Extract
  • Almond Extract
  • Peppermint Extract

5. MARSHMALLOWS

Nothing goes together like marshmallows and hot chocolate. Take this classic pairing up a notch by toasting your marshmallows in the oven.

Lay marshmallows out on a greased baking sheet lined with aluminum foil. Turn your broiler up to high, check frequently to make sure they don't burn. Let cool slightly and then scoop them onto your cup of cocoa.

6. CANDY

Top off your mug of hot chocolate with a fluffy mound of whipped cream and sprinkle chopped up pieces of your favorite candy bar or try a mix white and milk chocolate chips.

7. COOKIES

Fresh gingerbread or shortbread cookies are extra tasty when dipped into hot chocolate. Add a cookie rim for another eye catching (and delicious) upgrade.

Add your choice of milk to a plate and place the rim of your empty mug inside. On another plate add cookie crumbs from your choice of cookies and place the rim into the cookie crumbs. If you'd like to use bigger pieces, try using chocolate syrup instead of milk.

8. ORANGE PEEL

Add a few pieces of orange peel to your milk and warm them up together and strain out the peel before serving. A surprising addition of citrus brightens up this decadent treat. Top your drink with some orange zest and you'll never go back to plain chocolate again.

9. FRESH WHIPPED CREAM

Go all out and make your own whipped cream. The stuff from the can will do in a pinch but it can't compare to a fresh batch you whipped yourself. It just takes 10 minutes to transform a cup of heavy cream and two tablespoons of sugar into fluffy whipped cream topping.

10. MAKE IT A COCKTAIL

For everyone over 21, try adding a few ounces of your favorite alcohol. Please drink responsibly while trying one of these suggestions:

  • Vanilla Vodka
  • Cinnamon Whiskey
  • Coffee Liquor
  • Amaretto