Name: Homemade Gingerbread Hot Chocolate
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Cuisine: hot cocoa
Ingredients: 2 cups whole milk (or your favorite milk! non-dairy or nut milks work too); 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (Cacao v. Cocoa Powder: What’s the Difference?); 2 tablespoons agave nectar; 1 teaspoon ground ginger; 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg; 1/4 teaspoon allspice; whipped cream (optional, for topping); cinnamon sticks (optional, for garnish)

overhead image of a warm beverage with whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, and spice sprinkled on top — Homemade gingerbread hot chocolate is silky smooth, rich, and easy to make! Use dairy or non-dairy milk, it’s such a cozy winter drink!

Gingerbread hot chocolate is going to be your favorite winter drink. Are you feeling the holiday spirit? Are you a wee bit chilly? Do you just want something chocolatey but with some warm spice?

There’s nothing quite like cozying up on the couch, watching a movie, and sipping on something delicious.

This homemade gingerbread hot cocoa is going to your new winter fave!

Check out some more fun drinks like this Mint Chocolate Smoothie, Super Indulgent Peanut Butter Milkshake and this 10-Min Creamy Chocolate Coconut Shake.

This hot cocoa is:

warm
cozy
perfectly spiced
chocolatey
can be easily made dairy free
easy peasy to make!

overhead image of milk, cocoa powder, agave nectar, ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice on a white counter

overhead image of two red mugs with warm beverages, whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick inside

Ingredients for gingerbread hot cocoa:

milk: I used whole milk, but you can use any variety of milk including nut milk or your favorite dairy free option!
cocoa powder: I used unsweetened cocoa powder
agave nectar: honey, maple syrup, or coconut nectar also work! You can also use granular sweetener – just make sure to heat the liquid enough so that it dissolves!
ginger
cinnamon
nutmeg
allspice
whipped cream (optional): but recommended
cinnamon sticks (optional): for fun!

How to make gingerbread hot cocoa:

It’s so simple! Place the warmed milk, cocoa powder, agave nectar, and spices into your blender. Blend on high for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Alternatively, if you don’t have a blender, you can place all the ingredients in a medium pot and whisk to combine over medium heat.

Divide between two mugs and top with whipped cream, and extra sprinkle of cinnamon or ground ginger, and a cinnamon stick.

Toppings and add-ins:

I topped mine with whipped cream, an extra sprinkle of ground ginger, and a cinnamon stick, but there are so many other fun possibilities!

Add a homemade gingerbread man to the top of your whipped cream!

Peppermint sticks or candy canes could add a fun minty twist to this gingerbread hot cocoa

Mini marshmalls, giant marshmallows, or regular old marshmallows. Basically marshmallows in any form are always a good idea.

side view of a red mug with hot chocolate, whipped cream, a cinnamon stick, and a sprinkle of spice on top

Healthy ingredient swaps:

Make it dairy free: I used whole milk, but feel free to sub in your favorite nut milk or dairy free milk.

Sugar free: I’m using a refined sugar free sweetener, but you can sub in your favorite sweetener whether it’s an artificial sweetener or traditional granular sugar. Just make sure your milk is warm enough that it dissolves completely before you serve.

Cocoa v. Cacao. Cacao is less processed compared to cocoa powder, and generally considered to have more health benefits. Either one works!

Other cozy drinks you’ll love:

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe