Cheers to the holidays! First, for motivational purposes, the Hanson Family was kind enough to provide an instructional video on how to drink the final product (screeching baby is optional).

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Next, the recipes:

Basic Vegan Hot Chocolate for 2

2 cups store-bought Sweetened Vanilla Almond Milk (make sure it’s pre-sweetened)

2 ounces vegan cocoa (in bar form, but NOT a bar labeled “baking”)- alternately use 2 tablespoons of 100% cocoa powder

Heat almond milk in a pan over medium, stirring often, until steamy. Add cacao and stir until dissolved. Pour into mugs and serve immediately.

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Hot Peppermint Chocolate

Basic Recipe + Add 4 ounces of Peppermint Schnapps to the almond milk before serving

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Tame Hot Peppermint Chocolate

Basic Recipe + Add a few drops of Peppermint Oil

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Hot Orange Chocolate

Basic Recipe + Add 4 ounces of Orange Schnapps to the almond milk before serving

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Tame Hot Orange Chocolate

Basic Recipe + Add a few drops of Orange Oil

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Hot Chocolate Kick

Basic Recipe + Add a scant pinch of Cayenne Powder

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Hot Pumpkin Chocolate

Basic Recipe + Add a tablespoon of Pumpkin Purée plus a teaspoon of Pumpkin Pie Spice

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Hot Peppermint Chocolate Dream

Basic Recipe + Add 2 ounces of Peppermint Schnapps and 2 ounces of Kahlua to the almond milk before serving

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Whoa. Need a break from all that sexy chocolate? Gather your alternative, forward-thinking ingredients, and toast the New Year here.

And now that you’re sloshed, (or soon will be) check out my latest flash fiction challenge- I extended the deadline!