6 avant garde ways to make hot cocoa this winter

Keep yourself warm and toasty this winter with these unusual but tasty hot cocoa recipes that you need to try.

1.) Spiced pumpkin hot chocolate

You've tried pumpkin spice lattes, but have you tried it with hot chocolate? This recipe from Babble is so easy to do, the author promises you can do it in 5 minutes. So if you're inkling for hot chocolate and want something new, give this a go and savor the pumpkin-chocolate combo.

2.) Melted hot chocolate with sea salt whipped cream

If you don't want to kid around with hot cocoa and literally want the most chocolate-y hot cocoa ever, then try this recipe from Adventures in Cooking. This drink is not made from powdered cocoa base but real dark chocolate. The sea salt whipped cream topping gives more depth to this drink as the saltiness makes it taste even better. So if you want that decadent and rich flavor to comfort you this winter, whip this one up for yourself or to share with a loved one.

3.) Lemongrass-lavender white hot chocolate

We usually envision hot cocoa to be made with dark chocolate, but this unusual recipe from Serious Eats makes it with white chocolate and adds interesting flavors to the mix like lemongrass and lavender. If you're feeling a little adventurous, curious and want for some variety, we highly recommend this recipe.

4.) Eggnog Mexican hot chocolate

If you'd rather have a mix of eggnog and hot chocolate, try this recipe from Lauren's Latest. The great thing about this recipe is you can make it in the microwave instead of making it on the stove. If you've had a long day of being out in the winter, shoveling snow or playing in it, this drink should warm your right away.

5.) Coconut almond hot chocolate with whipped cream (vegan)

Vegan or not, this recipe from Apron Strings is a drink you should try. If you have reservations about combining coconut with chocolate, this drink should change your mind as the author says it tastes like Almond Joys.

6.) Fluffernutter hot chocolate with roasted peanuts

According to the author, Always Order Dessert, this drink is based off on the Fluffernutter sandwich which is made with peanut butter and marshmallow cream. Those elements are then combined with dark hot chocolate and spiked with marshmallow vodka, topped with whipping cream and roasted salty peanuts. If that doesn't sound amazing to you, you'll never know if you don't try it.