13 ways to sip vegan hot chocolate

Hot chocolate is the ultimate cold weather drink. As winter approaches, we’ve got 13 herbal drinks that will make you wish winter was all year round. From exotic and nutty to mint and tips, this list has over a dozen ways to make your chocolate dreams come true.

Minimalist baker

1 Mayan vegan drinking chocolate

A taste of this gourmet dessert from Minimalist Baker, and we are in chocolate heaven. All you need are seven ingredients and 15 minutes to create this simple yet sophisticated drink. Decadent dark chocolate is perfectly balanced with Mayan spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne) in what will quickly become your new chocolate obsession.
Get the recipe here

Running with spoons

2 Vegan Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

Creamy vanilla almond milk is the base of Running With Spoons’ sweet treat (which tastes like fall in a mug). A spicy pumpkin puree combines with maple syrup to create all the flavors you crave on a hot winter day. Make yourself comfortable with a blanket and a cup of that cocoa to carry to the pumpkin patch.
Get the recipe here

Vegan chickpeas

3 Healthy hot chocolate with hazelnut spices

Cinnamon and hazelnut essential oils are the secret ingredients in this inventive recipe, but that’s not all that adds to the magical taste of this cup of cocoa, as the vegan chickpeas also incorporate two tablespoons of hazelnut butter for a delicious nutty and toasted flavor in every bite.
Get the recipe here

Cooking in sauce

4 Vegan hot chocolate with gingerbread

This thick and velvety drink from A Saucy Kitchen will satisfy any holiday craving. Whole coconut milk creates the same thickness of dairy-based hot chocolate, while fragrant ginger, cinnamon, allspice and vanilla add flavors reminiscent of the holiday season. Prepare a batch of gingerbread cookies for dipping, and we’re ready to decorate the hallways.
Get the recipe here

The Almond Eater

5 Hot chocolate with blood orange

If you’re looking for a new (and different) way to enjoy hot chocolate, this tangy version of The Almond Eater is the way to go. Freshly squeezed blood orange juice and grated orange zest are blended with traditional hot cocoa ingredients for a vibrant hot beverage that will spruce up your step. Even better? This fun and unique recipe is ready in just 10 minutes and is made with just six ingredients.
Get the recipe here

damn good vegetables

6 Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

Darn Good Veggies contains a surprise ingredient rich in antioxidants in this cocoa recipe: beetroot powder! Our favorite red vegetable adds a rich, earthy taste to this drink that pairs beautifully with the other ingredients. Cocoa powder adds chocolate flavor and more antioxidants, while Medjool dates add natural sweetness. Long live sweet health in a glass!
Get the recipe here

Rabbit and wolves

seven Vegan S’mores Hot Chocolate Drinkable

This drinkable chocolate is bursting with all the flavors of your favorite campfire treat. The luscious chocolate is flavored with whatever you taste in a golden graham cracker (cinnamon, brown sugar, molasses and vanilla). Rabbit and Wolves then toppings the piping hot cocoa cup with toasted vegan marshmallows for a classic touch over a favorite campfire.
Get the recipe here

Baker’s heart

8 Creamy Vegan Coconut Hot Chocolate

Heart of a Baker uses a blender to make this mug of velvety cocoa (it also has a stovetop alternative.) Chopped dark chocolate and grated coconut are mixed with coconut milk in a powerful blender until that they are hot. For even more deliciousness, garnish with grated coconut for a perfect, creamy cup of hot chocolate to taste.
Get the recipe here

Rhian’s Recipes

9 Vegan hot chocolate with red wine

Give your hot chocolate a boost with a glass (or two!) Of red wine. Surprisingly, the fruity aroma of red wine perfectly complements the rich, earthy flavor of dark chocolate. Rhian’s Recipes recommends using almond or cashew milk for the best dairy-free substitute in this recipe.
Get the recipe here

Lauren Caris cooks

ten Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Mint + chocolate = a dream hot chocolate marriage. In this recipe from Lauren Caris Cooks, peppermint extract adds refreshing notes to foamy almond milk coated in dark chocolate. Top with coconut whipped cream for a classic hot chocolate.
Get the recipe here

Hungry herbivores

11 Mexican Coffee Drink Chocolate

This stimulating drink from The Hungry Herbivores is similar to a mocha, only better! Combine your favorite dark chocolate and strong coffee for a breakfast drink you’ll want to treat yourself to all morning.
Get the recipe here

Love & Lemons

12 Matcha White Hot Chocolate

For a sophisticated adult take on the classic cup of hot chocolate, try Love & Lemons’ beautiful and bright recipe with popular matcha tea powder. Start by whipping almond milk and vegan white chocolate, then add matcha for a comforting, delicious and visually stunning drink.
Get the recipe here

Healthy slow cooking

13 Hot White Chocolate

This thick and rich cocoa from Healthy Slow Cooking is made with homemade dairy-free milk and is naturally sweetened with dates before the cocoa butter and vanilla beans, scraped straight from the pod, are incorporated. Trust us, this silky drink is irresistible.
Get the recipe here

For more chocolate recipes, read:
Vegan hot chocolate with almonds
Chocolate vegan melted lava cakes
Crunchy vegan coconut and pecan biscotti

Stephanie Dreyer is a freelance writer and recipe developer whose mission is to help families cook and eat healthier.