From no-frills quick fixes to decadent treats: Simply delicious hot chocolate recipes

Heat up a saucepan of milk and add a couple of cinnamon sticks to it. Remove the seeds out of a big Thai red chilli and cut it into three pieces. Add that to the milk and bring it to the boil. Take it off the heat and let it brew for around 10 minutes. Strain out the chilli and cinnamon from the milk and return it to the stove to slowly reheat. Don’t let the milk boil. Add about 150g chopped plain chocolate, and keep the temperature low until the chocolate has melted. Add a pinch of salt. Finally, dress with whipped cream or whatever your favourite topping is.
Susan Ramsay, Editor

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The key to a good hot chocolate is adding a mountain of marshmallows on top of it, so that you can’t even see the hot chocolate.

First, take a metal mixing bowl and place over a pot half-filled with boiling water. Then, fill it with your favourite chocolate (mine is Lindt plain chocolate truffles). The hot water under the mixing bowl will slowly melt the chocolate; you just need to keep stirring it until it has completely melted.

Then, pour the melted chocolate into a mug and slowly add milk while stirring. Once you are happy with the amount and consistency of your hot chocolate, it’s time to pile as many marshmallows as you possibly can into the mug. Enjoy!
Alejo Lo, Videographer

There isn’t much of a secret to making a great hot chocolate. You just need some good-quality cocoa and whichever type of milk you normally drink (it doesn’t have to be cow’s milk). If you have a mini handheld whisk you can make your milk frothy, then dust some extra cocoa powder or crushed mint leaves on top.
Charlotte Ames-Ettridge, Sub-editor

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I’m pretty lazy (especially in this cold weather), so I like to keep things simple by getting a jar of instant hot chocolate. Then all you need to do is add hot milk, a few marshmallows, and some biscuits for dunking. And the bigger the mug, the better.
Nicole Moraleda, Sub-editor

There’s nothing better than a warm mug of extra chocolatey Nutella hot chocolate to beat the cold weather blues. It’s really easy to prepare too. Simply heat some milk in a saucepan and stir in cocoa powder and a teaspoon (or two) of Nutella. The result is a mug of thick, rich hot chocolate.
Doris Wai, Multimedia Producer

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When I’m abroad, I don’t mind spending a little more money for a cup of nice hot chocolate. But in Hong Kong, I just get Nesquik from the supermarket. All you need to do is dissolve the powder in a little hot water, then add plenty of milk into your mug – quick and easy! Adding sugary mini marshmallows on top is not my thing, but this hot chocolate definitely goes well with Rich Tea biscuits, Digestives or some butter biscuits!
Nicola Chan, Reporter

All gifs via GIPHY

For the ultimate hot chocolate, melt a bar of plain milk chocolate like Alejo recommends, stirring in some milk as it melts. Once the milk is steaming, remove it from the heat and pour it into your mug. Add some sugar and mix well until it dissolves.

To decorate, spray some whipped cream on top, and stick your favourite chocolate bar into the cream (a Cadbury’s Flake works really well!) Add a sprinkle of chocolate shavings, and if you really want to go overboard, pop a peppermint candy cane in there too.
Rhea Mogul, Junior reporter club manager