It’s the quintessential holiday beverage that can be enjoyed any time of year: hot cocoa! Kids and adults alike can enjoy hot cocoa and its many derivations – it’s truly a classic. In fact, quite a few of our own Christmas memories involve sitting around the living room or the Christmas tree, sipping on a this warm, chocolatey beverage as we enjoy one another’s company.

You can choose to be very straightforward in your recipe: chocolate and whole milk or half and half, with a little whipped cream on top. But we like to get a little creative with our hot cocoa recipe! Below are some of our favorite hyper-creative recipes for hot cocoa for you to enjoy this season.

Via A Beautiful Mess
What’s a holiday without gingerbread spice? This hot chocolate recipe is made from gingerbread syrup from scratch.

Via Handmade Charlotte
Pumpkin spice isn’t just for autumn – we love pumpkin spice all year round! This recipe truly is made from scratch, with fresh whipped cream and no added sugar.

Via Studio DIY
Three-for-one deal here! Studio DIY shows us 3 fun ways to dress up your traditional hot cocoa recipe this winter: funfetti hot chocolate, donut hot chocolate, and colorful candy cane hot chocolate!

Via Minimalist Baker
It almost doesn’t matter what this recipe tastes like – it’s so beautiful to look at! But we know it must taste delicious because you truly can’t go wrong with graham cracker crumbs and ooey-gooey marshmallows that top off this hot cocoa recipe.

Via Lemon Tree Dwelling
This snickerdoodle hot chocolate recipe boasts white chocolate and some of our favorite spices: vanilla, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Top it off with some whipped cream and slurp out of your favorite straw!

Via Brooklyn Supper
We love a little spice added to a traditional recipe! This maple cinnamon hot chocolate gets kicked up a notch with some cayenne and chili powder.

Via à la mode
Maybe once we stop drooling in front of our computer screens, we can actually try our hand at this lavender hot cocoa recipe! With a health dollop of fresh whipped cream on top and lavender buds to flavor, we think this recipe is hard to beat.

Pictured at the top: Mint White Hot Chocolate