Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipes to Warm Your Winter Nights
When the holiday season rolls around, nothing beats wrapping up in a cozy blanket with a mug of creamy Christmas hot chocolate. Whether you love classic peppermint swirls, rich white chocolate blends, or fun kid-friendly toppings like marshmallows and whipped cream, there’s a recipe for every festive mood. Today, I’m sharing the best Christmas hot chocolate ideas you can whip up at home — from traditional stovetop versions to slow cooker batches perfect for holiday parties.

Why Homemade Christmas Hot Chocolate Is the Best
Store-bought mixes are convenient, but homemade Christmas hot chocolate is richer, creamier, and totally customizable. Plus, you can control the sweetness and add festive flavors like cinnamon, candy canes, or even gingerbread spice. It’s budget-friendly, easy to make in big batches, and guaranteed to impress holiday guests!
Snow Days, Sledding, and Steaming Mugs of Chocolate
Hot chocolate isn’t just for Christmas. We love to incorporate hot cocoa into so many fun traditions we have through our winters. Playing in the snow, our Christmas Polar Express tradition, or just enjoying some fun winter crafts or activities.
The Best Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipes
Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Warm up with this delicious homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe. Made with rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, it’s the perfect cozy drink for the colder months.
Creamy Eggnog Hot Chocolate

Warm and comforting, Creamy Eggnog Hot Chocolate blends two holiday favorites into one decadent, rich holiday drink!
Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate is the ultimate cozy drink, blending rich chocolate with creamy peanut butter for a decadent treat. Ready in just 10 minutes with three simple ingredients, it’s the perfect way to warm up on a chilly winter day!
Grinch Hot Chocolate

For a fun and festive twist on a classic hot beverage, try this Grinch hot chocolate! It’s a white hot cocoa base tinted green to resemble the main character of How the Grinch Stole Christmas.
Pink Hot Chocolate

Satisfy your sweet cravings with a vibrant twist! Indulge in the delightful world of pink hot chocolate, a visually stunning and delicious treat that adds a pop of color to your white chocolate experience.
S’mores Hot Cocoa Recipe

Hot cocoa weather is here! Check out a delicious S’mores Hot Cocoa recipe that will warm the body during these cold winter months.
Frozen Hot Chocolate

This creamy frozen hot chocolate beverage is topped with lashings of whipped cream and sprinkled with chocolate chips.
Oreo Hot Chocolate

This oreo hot chocolate is a dunkin donuts copycat that is even better than the original. A thick, creamy, rich hot chocolate that tastes like pure oreos. Made with only 3 ingredients in less than 10 minutes.
Easy Crock Pot Hot Chocolate

Easy crock pot hot chocolate recipe! This simple slow cooker hot chocolate is made with milk, sugar, chocolate chips, and more!
Matcha White Hot Chocolate

The perfect cozy drink for those who love matcha green tea and hot chocolate! This easy matcha white hot chocolate recipe is great for a cold day and a fun twist on a classic winter beverage.
Spiked Butterscotch Hot Chocolate

This delicious, creamy hot chocolate with coffee liqueur and butterscotch schnapps will warm you head to toe!
Polar Express Hot Chocolate Recipe

This Polar Express Hot Chocolate Recipe is super rich and creamy, and is the ultimate cozy weather treat. It’s easy to make in the slow cooker and is perfect for your next Christmas movie night!
Slow Cooker Nutella Hot Chocolate

If you’ve never experienced the delight of hot chocolate with Nutella, you’re in for a truly indulgent treat. This Slow Cooker Nutella Hot Chocolate recipe requires just a handful of ingredients to create a rich and velvety drink, perfect for warming up on chilly winter evenings.
Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate

This Slow Cooker Chocolate Covered Cherry Hot Chocolate blends rich chocolate and sweet cherries into the ultimate indulgence. It’s perfect for any celebration.
Black Forest Hot Chocolate Recipe

Rich, decadent, and easy-to-make Black Forest Hot Chocolate marries the flavors of deep chocolate and fruity cherries. And it whips up in just 10 minutes for the perfect anytime indulgence!
Easy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate

This rich and creamy Instant Pot Hot Chocolate will be the best hot chocolate you’ve ever tasted! It’s easy to make and is perfect for holidays, parties and fun time with the kids!
Boozy Salted Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Boozy salted peanut butter hot chocolate is rich, creamy and topped with fluffy whipped cream, cookie crumbles and sweet sauce for a decadent winter drink.
Baileys Hot Chocolate (Spiked Hot Cocoa)

Get cozy and unwind with a mug of our Baileys Hot Chocolate! It features rich chocolate, creamy Baileys, and warm vanilla extract. This decadent hot chocolate requires minimal effort and only takes a few minutes to make.
Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate

This Slow Cooker Mexican Hot Chocolate recipe is rich and delicious with creamy chocolate and warm spices. Chocolate chips melt together with milk in the crock pot, along with vanilla and spices for a hot cocoa drink that is flavorful and so cozy on a cold day!
Italian Hot Chocolate – Cioccolata Calda

This thick, rich, and not overly sweet elixir will change the way you think about hot chocolate. With the addition of coffee, this belly warmer also makes a five-star mocha.
Lemon Meringue White Hot Chocolate

This lemon white hot chocolate is creamy, zesty, lemon-ey, and has a fluffy toasted meringue topping! It’s warm, sweet, and refreshing – the perfect cozy winter drink for anyone who loves lemons
Winter Wonderland White Hot Chocolate

This amazing six ingredient White Hot Chocolate is just what you need to take the chill off and it comes together in about five minutes! With a little bit of colorful sprinkles you can dress this up for any occasion.
Spicy Hot Chocolate with Cayenne Pepper

This perfect cozy drink, with its rich chocolate flavor and simple ingredients, is more than just a warm drink; it’s a decadent experience from the first sip. Ideal for the Holiday season, Valentine’s day, snow days, or any time you crave hot beverages with a twist.
Fun Topping Ideas for Christmas Hot Chocolate Bars
Set up a DIY Christmas hot chocolate station with:
- Mini marshmallows
- Peppermint sticks
- Chocolate shavings
- Crushed cookies
- Caramel drizzle
- Sprinkles
- Flavored whipped cream (peppermint, vanilla, or cinnamon)
Make Christmas Hot Chocolate a Tradition
From rich peppermint flavors to slow cooker cocoa for a crowd, these Christmas hot chocolate recipes are sure to bring extra joy to your celebrations. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, cuddling up for movie night, or looking for a fun activity with kids, a festive mug of cocoa is always a good idea.