by Michaela Barnes | photo by Trevor Meyer
Transitioning from fall to winter can be difficult, especially as the days grow short and the nights grow long, so why not indulge in chocolatey goodness? Here are 25 easy hot chocolate recipes you should try to spice up your favorite hot cocoa mix. Just mix the ingredients with hot cocoa mix—and don’t forget to add your favorite toppings!

• The Great Big Pumpkin

Pumpkin spice lattes have been all the rage lately, so why not change it up a bit?
Ingredients
1 tbs. Pumpkin Pie Spice
1 tsp. Cinnamon and Nutmeg Spice
1 cup Whole Milk

• The Frosty

While it is getting frosty out, there can still be days where it’s a little warm inside. Chill out with this easy DIY frosted hot cocoa.
Ingredients
3 Ice Cubes
½ cup Whip Cream
1 cup Whole Milk

• Salty Caramel Dreams

Sea salt caramel is every chocolate lover’s dream, and this recipe combines the best of both sweet and salty worlds.
Ingredients
1 tbs. Caramel Sauce
½ tsp. sea salt
1 cup Whole Milk

• Scrooge’s Cocoa

Feeling a little like Scrooge lately? Unmelt with this delicious Nutella drink. Make sure you drink it while it’s nice and warm.
Ingredients
1 tbs. Nutella (microwave first)
1 cup Whole Milk

• Orange Tidings

Chocolate oranges are something many look forward to finding in their stockings, so why not enjoy them in a fun, innovative way?
Ingredients
3 Chocolate Oranges (dice up & microwave)
1 cup Whole Milk

• Sailing the Chai Seas

Chai tea is the perfect thing for winter, try a sip of this:
Ingredients
½ cup Oregon Chai Tea Latte
½ cup Whole Milk
1 tsp. Cinnamon

• Yuletide Eggnog

When you think of the holidays, you probably think of eggnog. Try this eggnog/hot cocoa mix sure to bring back childhood memories!
Ingredients
1 cup Eggnog
1 tsp. Vanilla

• The Nutcracker

A rich cocoa infused with peanut butter and topped with chocolate chips.
Ingredients
1 tbs. Melted Peanut Butter
1 tbs. Melted Chocolate Chips
1 cup Whole Milk

• Winter Joe

While we might want to curl up and hibernate all winter, we still have things to get done. Energize with this perfect mix of coffee and cocoa.
Ingredients
½ cup coffee or shot of espresso
1 cup Milk
1 Tbs. Dark Chocolate Chips

• Tinsel Cream

Though you may have tried Irish cream coffee before, sometimes you just don’t want coffee. Try this Caramel Irish Cream Cocoa instead!
Ingredients
¼ cup Bailey’s Caramel Irish Cream
10 Marshmallows
1 tbs. Caramel sauce
½ cup Milk

• St. Nick’s Red Hot

If you love spicy drinks, this hot tamale drink is the drink for you.
Ingredients
2 tbs. Crushed Hot Tamale candy
1 cup Milk

• Chocolate Shots

After a rough day, sometimes we want to let loose and have a drink. (Skip the cocoa mix on this one)!
Ingredients
1 shot Vodka of Your Choice
1 shot Hazelnut Liqueur
Sugar-Coated Lemon for garnish

• Vegan Noel

Skip the dairy for a drink anyone can enjoy!
Ingredients
1 cup Coconut Milk
1 tbs. Cacao Powder

• Dorm Style

Just because you’re stuck in a dorm doesn’t mean you can’t make some amazing hot cocoa. This is the perfect recipe to make in your dorm kitchen.
Ingredients
¼ cup Heavy Cream
1 tbs. Melted Dark Chocolate Chips

• Blitzen’s Special Snowflake

Not everyone likes chocolate, and that’s perfectly okay, but why should someone have to give up the joys of hot cocoa, especially when white chocolate exists?
Ingredients
1 tbs. Melted White Chocolate Chips
1 cup Milk

• Butter Beer

The holidays in the world of Harry Potter are a sight to behold, so why not add a little magic to your own holidays?
Ingredients
1 tbs. Butterscotch Syrup
1 tbs. Crushed Butterscotch Candy
1 cup Milk

• Rudolphs’ Red Nose

Red Velvet isn’t just something to enjoy in cake form, it’s also great in hot cocoa.
Ingredients
¼ cup Whipping Cream
2 drops Red Food Coloring
1 cup Milk
1 tbs. Cinnamon

• Santa’s Cookies

Embrace your inner holiday spirit with all things milk and cookies!
Ingredients
2 crushed Oreos
1 cup Milk

• Tres Leches

When you just can’t decide on what milk to use, why not use a mixture of three types?
Ingredients
⅓ cup Condensed Milk
⅓ cup Regular Milk
⅓ cup Coconut Milk

• Feliz Navidad

This spicy Mexican hot cocoa will give you the kick you need to clear up your sinuses for the holidays.
Ingredients
½ tsp. Cayenne
1 tbs. Cinnamon
1 cup Milk

• Mistletoe Cocoa

Sometimes just a regular old cup of cocoa is the way to go.
Ingredients
1 cup Milk
1 tbs. Cocoa Powder
1 tbs. Melted Chocolate Chips

• Candy Cane

This peppermint-infused cocoa is sure to put you in the holiday spirit.
Ingredients
1 tbs. Crushed Candy Canes
1 tsp. Sprinkles
1 cup Milk

• Reindeer Food

This drink is for the ultimate chocolate lover who wants a triple chocolate experience.
Ingredients
⅓ cup Dark, White and Milk chocolate

• Raspberry Rudolph

Itching for something fruity? Try this raspberry rich drink.
Ingredients
1 tbs. Raspberry Syrup
1 tbs. Melted White Chocolate Chips
8 Blended Raspberries

• Grinch Mint

Are you ever in a grouchy mood? Well, try some Grinch Mint Cocoa. It’s sure to grow your heart two sizes.
Ingredients
1 tsp. Mint Flavoring
3 drops Green Food Coloring
1 tbs. Crushed Mint Oreos
1 tsp. Sprinkles