Recipes

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

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I don’t know about you, but I am just about done with winter.

Honestly, I was done with winter by about January 10. I’m one of those “if it’s not snowing why is it going to bother being cold” people.

After walking the dog in the below-freezing temperatures, there’s nothing quite so perfect as a cup of hot chocolate.

A few years back, I started making my own mixes. While they’re convenient, it was one small way I could limit my intake of preservatives and other junk that my body doesn’t really need. And I find that I can make it at home tasting just as good with much less sugar than comes in the mix.

Plus, I always have the ingredients on hand already. So why keep one more thing taking up space in my pantry?

Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

You can personalize hot chocolate a million different ways, too. My favorite is peppermint, but you can add just about any flavor under the sun. Believe me, I’ve tried just about all of them from my days working at a coffee shop. Try it with almond, peppermint, or orange extract – just a drop or two per serving. Or skip the extracts and throw some caramel chips or peppermint sticks in!


It lends itself to adding a bit of booze if that’s your jam. My favorite is adding peppermint schnapps – give that minty loveliness. But you can add just about any liqueur for a great little flavor boost. My main suggestion here: add a little less sugar (1/4 Tbsp less) if you add alcohol – any flavored alcohol will add some sweetness.

Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

It works with almond milk too. While I think the original tastes smoother, an almond milk hot chocolate does the trick just fine. In the photos, the darker liquid is made with almond milk.

But the real question is: are you into whipped cream or marshmallows on top? I think whipped cream wins it for me, by the tiniest of margins. But I love the mini marshmallows too! Decisions, decisions.

Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.
Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

It’s obvious, but it bears repeating: this works better on the stove. But it combines well enough in the microwave too, so you do you. Slightly smoother on the stove but about 5 more minutes’ work.

Tools you’ll need: spoon, pot or microwave, and a fun mug.

Homemade Hot Chocolate

Course: Drinks
Keyword: boozy, chocolate, hot drink, vegan, vegetarian
Servings: 1 mug

Ingredients

  • 3/4 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 1/8 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3/4 – 1 Tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/4 cup milk

Optional add-ins:

  • 1 shot peppermint schnapps or chambord
  • 1 pinch cinnamon
  • dash peppermint or orange extract

Instructions

For stovetop:

  • Combine cocoa, vanilla, sugar and milk in a small saucepan. Add any non-alcoholic additions now as well. 
  • Heat, stirring regularly over low heat. It’s done when steam is rising slightly and everything is combined. 
  • Add alcohol immediately before serving. 

For the microwave:

  • Combine cocoa, vanilla, sugar, and any non-alcohol additions in a cup. Add half the milk and stir with a small whisk or fork. 
  • Add the remainder of the milk and microwave for 1 minute. Take out, stir again, and microwave 30 seconds more. 
  • Add alcohol immediately before serving. 
Homemade hot chocolate is just as easy as the bagged mix! And you already have the ingredients in your kitchen.

Let me know what you add to your homemade hot chocolate!

Want more recipes for simple treats you can make instead of buy? Follow me on pinterest to get tons of suggestions!

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