10 Ways To Make That Hot Chocolate Even More Amazing

December 13th is NATIONAL COCOA DAY! If you're in the mood for hot chocolate, there are so  many different ways to make it, even if you're using a mix.

A poll asked people what they mix the hot chocolate powder into, and 41% said dairy milk.  31% said water, 8% said non-dairy milk (like almond, soy, rice, oat, and coconut "milk"),  and 2% said "other," which is very intriguing...  But then again, 15% of the people surveyed claim they don't make hot chocolate.  (*bows head*  a moment of silence for that 15%)

If you're an over-achiever, and looking for different ways to spice up your hot chocolate, here are some hot chocolate "hacks" to try:

1.  Add two ounces of espresso, plus a sprinkle of sugar and cinnamon.

2.  Using an oven-safe mug, top it with marshmallows, and put it under the broiler.

3.  Take the hot chocolate mix, and add:  A half-cup of pumpkin puree, one teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a quarter-cup of white chocolate chips.

4.  Stir in crushed candy canes or peppermint candies, mint chocolate chips, a drop of mint or peppermint extract, or fresh mint leaves.

5.  Stir your hot chocolate recipe with equal parts warmed eggnog.

6.  Stir in a spoonful caramel, butterscotch, , maple, or dulce de leche

7.  Drop a scoop of mint chocolate chip ice cream in a small bowl, then pour hot chocolate over it, along with a whipped cream topping.

8.  Steep a bag of  chai tea in your hot chocolate for added spice and flavor. Top with a little extra cinnamon for more of a kick.

9.  Make it SPICY with a half-teaspoon of ancho chile powder.  If you do this, consider also adding cinnamon, dark brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

10. Adult hot chocolate: a shot (or shots) of anything you'd like to add. Deck it out with whipped cream and grated chocolate or chocolate syrup (or both), then sit back and enjoy.