Whether you’re trying to impress your guests or enjoy a quiet evening to yourself, hot cocoa is a festive, warm drink to increase your Christmas spirit!
These cute, simple, and affordable recipes all use instant cocoa mix and hot water as a base, but don’t worry, we taste tested these recipes for you. The watery consistency of generic cocoa is easily remedied with just a few simple ingredients. Choose a recipe from the list and give it a try!

1. Peppermint Cocoa
Peppermint Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • Instant Cocoa
  • Whipped Cream
  • Peppermints
  • Mint leaf

Top a freshly brewed mug of instant cocoa with whipped cream. Sprinkle crushed peppermints over the whipped topping, and allow the mints a few seconds to melt into the drink. Add a single mint leaf to decorate.

2. Dark Chocolate Marshmallow Cocoa
Dark Chocolate Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • Instant Cocoa
  • Whipped Cream
  • Small Marshmallows
  • One Half Square of Dark Chocolate
  • One Chocolate Straw

Cover a warm mug of instant cocoa with a layer of whipped cream. Use a cheese grater to shave small parts of dark chocolate over the topping, then place small marshmallows and your chocolate straw inside of the whipped topping. Enjoy!

3. Salted Caramel Cocoa
Caramel Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • Instant Cocoa
  • Whipped Cream
  • Caramel Dessert Topping
  • Two Squares Salted Chocolate

Mix instant cocoa mix, a spoonful of melted caramel, and a single square of salted chocolate (shaved using a cheese grater) into a mug. Pour in hot water and stir until all ingredients have melted in. Top your cocoa with whipped cream, using a fork to spread the caramel topping over the top. Break your second square of salted chocolate, and press it into the whipped cream to decorate.

4. Strawberry Chocolate Cocoa
Strawberry Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • Instant Cocoa
  • Whipped Cream
  • Strawberry Syrup
  • Chocolate Drizzle
  • One Strawberry

Cut a strawberry into quarters and set it aside. Make your instant cocoa according to the packet. Top your instant cocoa with whipped cream. Drizzle strawberry syrup and chocolate drizzle over the top, placing two strawberry quarters into the cream. Allow the flavors a few seconds to mix, and enjoy.

5. Ginger and Cinnamon Spice Cocoa
Ginger Cinnamon Cocoa

Ingredients:

  • Instant Cocoa
  • Ground Ginger
  • Cinnamon
  • Chocolate Drizzle

Put instant cocoa mix, a half spoonful of ginger and a small dash of cinnamon into a mug. Pour in warm water and stir. Add a touch of chocolate drizzle and stir again. Top with a dash of ginger and cinnamon, decorating by using the spoon to move the spices into a swirled design. Enjoy!