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.