Every year, my cousin comes to visit and stay with us for about 2 weeks. His mom and my mom are twins sisters, so we’re close, and he’s become besties with my husband. The first words out of his mouth are always, “So what we drinking?!” This year, it’s gonna be hot chocolate.

This visit, we’re going to do something a little different. He’s a producer and coming in from Florida, so he’s gonna be more than agitated with the temperatures this round. To keep us warm and jovial, I set up a spiked hot chocolate bar!

Hot chocolate is always my favorite staple around the holidays and during the winter. How can you possibly go wrong with chocolate? And in liquid form? All winning there! Even without any fancy decorations, you can easily set this up for your friends and favorite relatives to enjoy the cold, winter evenings.

All you need are your ingredients! Kroger has a line of gourmet hot chocolate flavors made with Belgian chocolate. Grab a few of these for a new experience or feel free to stick with your traditional hot chocolate packets…you really can’t go wrong!

Make sure you have some sweet condiments to go into your hot chocolate. We had mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint, and whipped cream. Some other extras can be Hershey’s syrup, caramel and/or flavored sugars.

The most important part is the “spiked.” You can always use your favorite alcohol. I love that so many companies have started offering their products in individual serving sizes! For variety, I picked up Stella Rosa Platinum and Stella Rosa Black, Bailey’s Irish Cream and Peppermint Schnapps.

Our local store also has a variety bucket of $0.99 mixes to add to your favorite drink. I grabbed a handful for us to try. I have small hands and all could grab were 3…

When you mix your ingredients, make sure that you stir them well. I made some cute little stir sticks from some items I found at Dollar Tree. I used the mini snowflake wall clings to make one version. Using 2 snowflakes, I stuck them to each other with the stick in the middle. The other was from a Christmas tree garland. I took a few pieces off the garland and just clipped them to the end of the stir stick. Voila!

If you’re setting this bar up for guests who may be a little shy, try preparing some recipes ahead of time that utilize your ingredients. I’m a frequent drinker, so I have no reservations about spiking my hot chocolate with anything…

These hot chocolate mixes are so quick and easy to make! Literally 2 ingredients to a jolly good time! Check out the recipes that we’re enjoying around my house:

Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes

Winter Wine Down

Ingredients:

Individual serving of Stella Rosa Black (or 1/8 cup sweet red wine)
1 packet of cherry cordial hot chocolate
mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare hot chocolate according to stovetop directions.
Add in half of Stella Rosa Black individual serving.
Stir until hot.
Carefully pour into mug.
Enjoy!

Cream and Cuddles

Ingredients:

Individual serving of Bailey’s Irish Cream
1 packet of salted caramel hot chocolate
mini marshmallows (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare hot chocolate according to directions.
Add in individual serving of Bailey’s Irish Cream.
Stir, cuddle up with someone warm and enjoy!

Mint to Keep Warm

Ingredients:

1 tbsp of Peppermint Schnapps
1 packet of toasted marshmallow hot chocolate
whipped cream (optional)

Instructions:

Prepare hot chocolate according to stovetop directions.
Add in 1/3 tbsp of Peppermint Schnapps
Stir and enjoy!

If you’re looking for more spiked hot chocolate recipes to get you through the winter, check out this post from Reasons to Skip the Housework!

Will you be spiking your hot chocolate anytime soon? Let me know in the comments below! I’m gonna go fix a cup…

Snowflakes and tree garland: Dollar Tree

Snowflake garland: Joann

Mugs: Coffee First Creations