There's no more welcome way to chase away the chill than by sipping a mug of hot chocolate. We have a recipe to please every palate, including hot chocolate spiced with cinnamon or chiles; accented with peppermint, orange zest, or peanut butter; and made with milk, cream, soy, or almond milk. Looking for hot cocoa mix or simply a rich and delicious mug of pure and simple hot chocolate? We have those too!

 

Begin this deluxe hot cocoa creation by infusing warm milk with fresh mint sprigs, cinnamon, or vanilla bean. Whisk in plenty of semisweet or milk chocolate and garnish each mug with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Enjoy three luxurious and extra-creamy variations on hot chocolate: Dark-Chocolate Hot Cocoa, made with chopped bittersweet chocolate and a whisper of nutmeg; White-Chocolate Hot Cocoa with Coconut and Rum, enriched with coconut milk and spiked with rum; and Milk Chocolate and Peanut Butter Hot Cocoa, with creamy peanut butter blended in.

Ancho chile powder and cinnamon add warmth and spice to this hot chocolate. Make the drink extra frothy by whirling it in a blender just before serving.

Simply combine cocoa powder, sugar, and a little bit of salt to make a big, budget-friendly batch of hot cocoa mix to last you through the winter. The mix also makes great gifts when portioned into decorative jars.

Almond milk and cinnamon sticks add a new twist to this dairy-free hot cocoa recipe. A pinch of salt enhances the flavor of the chocolate.

Crushed peppermint sticks melt into this hot cocoa to add holiday flair. Serve each mug with a peppermint stick stirrer and top with marshmallows or whipped cream if you like.

Mexican chocolate, available in Latin markets and many supermarkets, is flavored with cinnamon, almonds, and vanilla. The chocolate is heated with milk and cinnamon sticks to make a subtly spiced south-of-the-border treat.

Enjoy the nutritional benefits of this hot chocolate while you sip! Dark chocolate provides antioxidants, soy milk replaces cow's milk for better nutrient absorption, and cayenne pepper and cardamom are warming spices, which provide an energy boost.

Semisweet chocolate chips plus cocoa powder equal deep, dark chocolate flavor in this easy recipe. A spoonful of vanilla extract gives this hot chocolate an alluring fragrance.