Wrapping your hands around a mug of creamy hot chocolate is the perfect conclusion to pretty much any winter activity. Whether you’re recovering from a day of making snow angels, falling on your butt on the skating rink one too many times, or wrapping gifts shaped like they were run over by Santa’s sleigh, a hot cup of cocoa takes all the pain away.

Everyone knows the basic recipe for this classic beverage, but if you really want to turbo charge your hot chocolate game, I’ve got a few delicious suggestions:

The Classic: Hot Cocoa Recipe

Ingredients

4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

2 to 4 tablespoons of sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)

Pinch of salt

2 cups milk or half + half (or your favorite milk substitute)

1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Boozy Addition: Whipped cream vodka or Irish cream liqueur (such as Bailey’s)

Method

Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons of milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Turn up the heat to medium and whisk in the rest of the milk. Keep whisking occasionally until heated through. Stir in the vanilla and serve.

The Fancy Pants: Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients 

4 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder

1 small chunk of your favorite dark chocolate

1/2 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

1 pinch of chili powder

1/4 cup milk or half + half (or your favorite milk substitute)

3/4 cup of boiling water

Boozy Addition: Spiced rum or tequila (if you dare)

Method

Whisk together the cocoa, cinnamon, and chili powder. Add the dark chocolate and pour in the milk. Add the boiling water and stir until everything is melted together and heated through. Stir in the vanilla and serve.

The Hack: Hazelnut Hot Chocolate Recipe

Ingredients 

1 to 2 tablespoons of leftover chocolate hazelnut spread (in the bottom of the jar)

1 cup of hot milk or half + half (or your favorite milk substitute)

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract

Pinch of ground cinnamon

Boozy Addition: Bourbon or Kahlua

Method

Grab the jar of almost-empty-scrape-the-bottom chocolate hazelnut spread (or your favorite nut butter), add the warm milk, vanilla extract and cinnamon. Shake well to combine.  Pour in a mug or (better yet) drink directly from the jar.

If you like your hot chocolate frothy, blend any of these recipes in a blender and garnish with cinnamon sticks or chocolate shavings if you’re feeling super fancy.

Enjoy!