Forget the watery instant packets — real hot chocolate deserves real chocolate. This Christmas, take your cup from basic to beautifully indulgent. These recipes are easy, rich, and made with ingredients you probably already have at home.

All recipes make 2 servings unless noted otherwise.

🍫 1. The Classic Velvet

Ingredients:

• 60g (about ½ cup) dark chocolate, 60–70% cocoa
• 500ml (2 cups) whole milk or oat milk
• 1 tbsp sugar or honey (optional)
• Pinch of salt

How to make it:

1. Chop the chocolate finely so it melts evenly.
2. Warm the milk over low heat — don’t boil.
3. Stir in the chocolate until smooth and glossy.
4. Add salt and sugar to taste.
   Tip: If you like it thick, simmer gently for another 2–3 minutes.

💚 2. Pistachio White Wonder

Ingredients:

• 80g (½ cup) white chocolate, chopped
• 1 tbsp smooth pistachio paste (or 2 tbsp finely ground unsalted pistachios)
• 400ml (1¾ cups) milk
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

How to make it:

1. Gently heat milk in a saucepan.
2. Add pistachio paste and whisk until dissolved.
3. Lower heat, add white chocolate, and stir until fully melted.
4. Top with crushed pistachios or a dusting of matcha for a pale green finish.

🍊 3. Dark Chocolate & Orange Twist

Ingredients:

• 60g dark chocolate (70%)
• Zest of ½ orange (or ¼ tsp orange extract)
• 400ml milk
• ½ tbsp brown sugar

How to make it:

1. Gently heat milk and sugar in a pan.
2. Add orange zest and stir for 1–2 minutes to release oils.
3. Remove zest with a spoon if you prefer a smooth drink.
4. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until melted.
   Optional: Garnish with an orange peel twist or grated nutmeg.

🍯 4. Salted Caramel Swirl

Ingredients:

• 50g milk chocolate + 1 tbsp cocoa powder
• 400ml milk
• 1 tbsp caramel sauce
• Pinch of flaky sea salt

How to make it:

1. Heat milk and stir in cocoa powder until smooth.
2. Add caramel sauce and chocolate pieces.
3. Once melted, finish with a light pinch of sea salt.
   Top with: Whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel.

🌰 5. Hazelnut Heaven

Ingredients:

• 50g dark chocolate (60%)
• 1 tbsp Nutella or hazelnut spread
• 400ml milk
• Pinch of cinnamon

How to make it:

1. Warm milk and stir in Nutella until it dissolves completely.
2. Add chopped chocolate and whisk until smooth.
3. Sprinkle with cinnamon and chopped roasted hazelnuts.
   Tastes like Ferrero Rocher in a mug.

🍵 6. Matcha White Magic

Ingredients:

• 60g white chocolate
• ½ tsp matcha powder
• 400ml milk

How to make it:

1. Whisk matcha with 2 tbsp hot water to form a smooth paste.
2. Heat milk, add chocolate, and stir until melted.
3. Pour into your mug, whisk in matcha paste.
   Tip: Sweeten lightly with honey — matcha has a subtle bitterness.

🥥 7. Coconut Bliss

Ingredients:

• 50g dark chocolate (60%)
• 300ml coconut milk + 100ml water
• 1 tbsp shredded coconut
• ½ tsp vanilla extract

How to make it:

1. Heat coconut milk and water in a saucepan.
2. Add chocolate and stir until melted.
3. Stir in vanilla and shredded coconut.
   Optional: Toast some coconut flakes on top for extra aroma.

🍷 8. Grown-Up Glow (Spiked Hot Chocolate)

Ingredients:

• 60g dark chocolate (70%)
• 400ml milk
• 1 tbsp sugar
• 2 tbsp Baileys, amaretto, or Kahlúa

How to make it:

1. Melt chocolate in warmed milk, add sugar, whisk until smooth.
2. Remove from heat, stir in the liqueur.
   Tip: For non-alcoholic comfort, swap liqueur for almond extract or a dash of espresso.

🍪 9. Cookie Crumble Cocoa

Ingredients:

• 50g milk chocolate
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1 Biscoff, speculoos, or gingerbread cookie (crushed)
• 400ml milk

How to make it:

1. Heat milk with cocoa powder until smooth.
2. Add chocolate and stir until melted.
3. Stir in the crushed cookie right before serving.
   It thickens slightly and tastes like Christmas morning.

🍬 10. Peppermint Melt

Ingredients:

• 60g dark chocolate (70%)
• 400ml milk
• 2–3 drops pure peppermint extract
• Whipped cream and crushed candy cane (optional)

How to make it:

1. Melt chocolate into warm milk over low heat.
2. Stir in peppermint extract.
3. Top with whipped cream and candy cane dust.
   Refreshing, rich, and very “Santa’s workshop chic.”

🎄 Final Sip

Hot chocolate is comfort you can hold. Pick one, pour it slowly, and sit down — no rush. Add a blanket, a quiet moment, and someone you like (yourself counts).

✨ Find more cozy holiday ideas at EasyHolidayGifts.com — because comfort is the best kind of luxury.