Whether you’re a tea person or a coffee person, we’re sure you’re a hot chocolate person. And it is now officially hot chocolate weather. Making this delicious drink is quite simple, but if you want to stir things up a little, here are eight hot chocolate recipes that will keep you cosy in the cold.

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1. Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

1 cup whole milk

1/4 cup heavy cream

1- 2 tbsp granulated sugar

A pinch of kosher salt

1/2 cup finely chopped semisweet chocolate or chocolate chips (about 100 gms)

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/8 tsp peppermint extract

Whipped cream

5-6 marshmallows

2-3 crushed candy canes, for garnish 

Method:

Put milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, and peppermint extract into a pan. Place the pan on medium heat and whisk everything together till bubbles start forming. Now, reduce the heat and add chocolate, and whisk till it melts and starts to thicken, for about 2 minutes.

Pour it into cups and top it off with whipped cream, marshmallows, and crushed candy canes.

2. KitKat Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

2 KitKat chocolate bars

1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tbsp sugar

1 and 1/2 cups milk

1/4 cup heavy whipping cream

2 tbsp boiling water

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

A pinch of salt

Method:

Take the KitKat, keep 2 sticks aside, and add the rest to a food processor. Blend till the chocolate turns into fine crumbs. Take a pan and place it over medium heat and add boiling water, chocolate crumbs (keep 1 tbsp aside), cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Mix it all together till it turns into a fine paste and then add milk and cream. Turn the flame to full and keep stirring till it comes to a boil. Turn down the heat when it starts boiling.

Pour the mixture into two cups, add whipped cream, chocolate crumbs, the leftover sticks, and enjoy.

3. Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

3 cups whole milk 

1 cup canned pumpkin puree

1 and 1/2 tsp pumpkin spice

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup white chocolate chopped (100 gms)

Whipped cream

A pinch of cinnamon powder (optional)

Method:

Take a large pan and add milk, pumpkin, spices, and vanilla. Put it on medium heat and keep stirring till it comes to a simmer. Turn down the heat, add white chocolate and stir again till it melts and becomes thick. Remove from the stove.

Pour it into mugs, top it off with some whipped cream, and cinnamon powder, and enjoy one of the best hot chocolate recipes.

4. Red Wine Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

1 cup milk

1/2 cup chocolate chunks

3/4 cup red wine

1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Whipped cream

5-6 marshmallows

1 tsp cocoa powder (optional)

Method:

Add milk to a pan and put it on medium flame till the milk starts simmering. Add the chocolate chunks and keep stirring till the chocolate melts. Next, turn off the heat, add the red wine and vanilla extract, and give it a good stir.

Pour it into cups and add whipped cream and marshmallows, and sprinkle some cocoa powder on top. There, you have a delicious hot chocolate recipe!

5. Cinnamon Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

2 cups whole milk

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tbsp sugar

1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Whipped cream

10-12 marshmallows

Method:

In a pan, heat milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, and cinnamon over a medium flame. Once the sugar and cocoa get dissolved, add marshmallows and stir continuously till they melt.

Pour into cups and top off with some whipped cream and extra marshmallows as garnish.

6. Unicorn Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

1 and 1/2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup white chocolate drink mix

2 tbsp powdered milk

1 tbsp white chocolate sauce

2 drops pink gel food coloring

Whipped cream, for topping

A handful of rainbow sprinkles, for topping

10-12 mini coloured marshmallows, for topping

Method:

In a pan, heat the milk over a medium flame till it comes to a boil. Take a large mug and add white chocolate drink mix, powdered milk, white chocolate sauce, and food colouring. To this, add 1/2 of the boiled milk and whisk till everything is blended and no chunks remain.

Pour the rest of the milk and top it off with whipped cream, sprinkles, and marshmallows. This is one of the most delicious and gorgeous looking hot chocolate recipes.

7. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

4 cups of milk

75 gms milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

100 gms dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

1/4 tsp ground ginger

A pinch of mixed spice

1 cinnamon stick

2 whole star anise

1/2 cup Baileys Original liqueur (optional)

Whipped cream, to serve

Cocoa powder, to dust

Method:

In a pan, add milk, chocolate, ginger, mixed spice, cinnamon, and star anise over low heat. Keep stirring for about 5 minutes till the chocolate dissolves and starts to thicken. Turn off the gas and add liqueur, if using, and give it a good stir.

Pour the mixture into cups, add whipped cream on top, sprinkle a little cocoa powder, and serve hot.

8. Italian Hot Chocolate

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Ingredients:

100 gms chopped dark chocolate or chocolate chips

2 tbsp cocoa powder, unsweetened

4 tsp corn starch

2 and 1/2 tbsp caster sugar

2 cups + 2 tbsp milk

Method: 

Place a pan over medium heat and add milk, chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, and sugar in it. Keep stirring occasionally till the chocolate melts properly. Mix cornstarch with 2 tbsp milk and add it to the chocolate milk. Stir till it becomes thick and smooth. Turn off the heat, add a pinch of salt, and give it a good stir.

Pour it into mugs and enjoy hot!

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