National Hot Chocolate Day (January 31)
Check out the weird holiday National Hot Chocolate Day on January 31. Learn the history of hot chocolate, and get ideas on how to celebrate.
One weird holiday on January 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day. Check out the other weird January holidays!
History of National Hot Chocolate Day
Did you know that there’s actually a difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?
Hot chocolate is made with ground chocolate beans, heated milk or water, and sometimes sugar. It’s more like a coffee or tea than the smooth, sweet, creamy drink we typically think of.
Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar.
In the United States, we use the two terms interchangeably, but other countries in the world have a firm distinction between the two unique beverages.
Hot chocolate has been around for much longer than hot cocoa. Around 500 BC, the ancient Mayans drank hoto chocolate made from crushing cocoa seeds and mixing it into water. They also added chili peppers!
In 1400 AD, the Aztecs were also drinking their own variation of hot chocolate. When Europeans began to explore the Americas, they brought hot chocolate back with them.
In the Victorian and Regency eras, hot chocolate was considered beneficial for digestive health issues and was often prescribed as medicine. Nowadays we know that cocoa has antioxidants that may help prevent cancer, and the flavonoids are beneficial to arterial health and memory.
Cowboys in the early days of the United States drank hot chocolate (which was just as bitter as coffee) around the campfire.
In the early 1800s, a father and son team of chemists developed a process to remove cocoa solids from the butter. The father, Casparus van Houten Sr. was the one to develop the separation process, then his son Coenraad Johannes made it so the fats could be dissolved into water.
Sweet milk chocolate was then created in 1876 by the Swiss chocolatier Daniel Peter. He was the first to create milk chocolate by mixing in powdered milk with chocolate.
In 1948, Nesquick began selling the first chocolate milk powder that could be mixed in with milk. It could be drunk cold or heated up into hot cocoa.
It wasn’t until 1961 that sweet, creamy hot cocoa could be made with water instad of milk. This process was developed by Swiss Miss, who began selling powdered mixes.
In 2004, Starbucks began serving hot chocolate on their menu. That same year, the movie Polar Express was released with a musical scene about serving hot chocolate.
If you love this holiday, you’ll also love National Chocolate Cake Day (January 27) and Chocolate Covered Cherry Day (January 3)!
Ideas for National Hot Chocolate Day
In order to keep the celebration lasting all day long, like at work or just at home, give this amazingly delicious and creamy slow cooker hot chocolate a try!
You can also experiment with these unique hot chocolate recipes.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe
The secret to making amazing hot chocolate is using milk, not just water when making it. This Double Chocolate Peppermint Hot Chocolate does that and more - give it a try on National Hot Chocolate Day!
Oreo Hot Chocolate (Dunkin Donuts Copycat)
This oreo hot chocolate is a dunkin donuts copycat that is even better than the original. A thick, creamy, rich hot chocolate that tastes like pure oreos. Made with only 3 ingredients in less than 10 minutes. A must-have winter drink on National Hot Chocolate Day for any cookies and cream lovers.
Peppermint White Hot Cocoa
This creamy, White Hot Chocolate with Peppermint for National Hot Chocolate Day is a delicious twist on regular cocoa made with white chocolate chips and peppermint extract.
Peppermint Chocolatte vegan dairy-free
This Peppermint Chocolatte is the perfect coffee to get you in the spirit of National Hot Chocolate Day. It’s a festive blend of rich coffee, hot chocolate, and peppermint syrup – all topped off with whipped cream and crushed peppermints.
21 Day Fix Coconut Hot Cocoa {Dairy Free
This rich, homemade 21 Day Fix coconut hot cocoa will be your family's new favorite on National Hot Chocolate Day! A super indulgent treat for the whole family that’s also gluten free, dairy free and vegan!
Chai White Chocolate
Chai white chocolate is bursting with creamy white chocolate and the vibrant, warming spice of Chai tea. This quick and easy to make National Hot Chocolate Day drink tastes just like a Chai latte.
S'mores Hot Chocolate
Take hot chocolate to a whole new level on National Hot Chocolate Day with graham cracker crumbs, toasted marshmallows, and chocolate syrup.
Orange Hot Chocolate
Orange Hot Chocolate is the perfect beverage for those colder winter days and to keep you warm on National Hot Chocolate Day. This recipe takes the classic hot chocolate and adds citrusy orange flavour for an even more decadent drink. Top with whipped cream or marshmallows for an indulgent treat!
Cardamom Rose Hot Chocolate - Iran in a cup
Rich Cardamom Rose Hot Chocolate is a delicious cozy drink for National Hot Chocolate Day. Quality chocolate melted in milk and infused with Middle Eastern ingredients makes for a dreamy drink.
Italian Hot Chocolate with Floating Meringue Kiss
This Italian style hot chocolate is rich and smooth and tastes like the real deal…melted chocolate. You'll love topping yours with a meringue kiss. on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Milky Way Hot Chocolate
Milky Way Hot Chocolate is such a fun way to use up those miniature candy bars on National Hot Chocolate Day! Creamy, hot, chocolate and caramel, you’ll love the flavor!
Frozen Hot Chocolate
Dessert season is year round, but different types definitely have a season. You’re going to want to add this frozen hot chocolate recipe to your Summer menu (or if you live in a warmer climate on National Hot Chocolate Day). It’s the absolute best way to get your sweet chocolate fix and cool off.
Slow Cooker Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate
Slow cooker peanut butter hot chocolate is a Reese’s lover’s dream come true for National Hot Chocolate Day. This hot cocoa recipe gets dressed up with the classic combination for a decadent warm drink.
Slow Cooker Baileys Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
This simple recipe for slow cooker Baileys Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate combines all the flavors of creamy hot chocolate with a little bit of pumpkin spice to bring back fall on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Pink Hot Chocolate Recipe
Pink hot chocolate is a fun twist on traditional hot cocoa, perfect for National Hot Chocolate Day or to warm up on any chilly winter night. Made with white chocolate, milk, cream cheese, and strawberry puree (or strawberry syrup), this is one incredibly rich, creamy, and flavorful cup of cocoa.
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a decadent homemade hot chocolate pumped up with festive peppermint flavor. You can make this drink boozy or tame to serve anyone on your guest list for National Hot Chocolate Day.
Matcha Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
This easy recipe for Matcha Peppermint White Hot Chocolate is a fun and festive way to enjoy green tea and hot chocolate at the same time on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate – Deliciously thick and creamy hot chocolate that is loaded with pumpkin and warm, autumn spices. Perfect for those colder nights on National Hot Chocolate Day!
How to Make Tsokolate (Filipino Hot Chocolate)
Tsokolate or Filipino hot chocolate is unadorned. No whipped cream, marshmallows or sweet syrups to hide behind. Made with just milk and tablea or cocoa tablets, it is what chocolate purists dream of trying on National Hot Chocolate Day. It’s quick, easy, delicious and sure to lift your spirits!
Cheesecake Hot Chocolate
This white hot chocolate from scratch tastes just like cheesecake in a cup without having to wait for a whole cheesecake to bake. Cheesecake craving satisfied in 15 minutes on National Hot Chocolate Day? Done.
Homemade Honey-Sweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa with Pink Whipped Cream
An easy but decadent homemade hot chocolate sweetened with raw honey and topped with a dollop of naturally-colored pink whipped cream. Perfect for National Hot Chocolate Day.
White Hot Chocolate
When it’s cold outside on National Hot Chocolate Day, start up the fireplace, get your favorite slippers on, wrap up in a warm blanket and snuggle on the couch with this delicious White Hot Chocolate.
Coffee Hot Chocolate (Homemade Caffeinated Hot Chocolate)
This creamy coffee hot chocolate is made with real chocolate and instant coffee. Then topped with a delicious homemade coffee whipped cream. Caffeinated hot chocolate is the perfect drink to start off your day, especially on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Biscoff Hot Chocolate (So Good)
Hot chocolate Biscoff! An incredibly tasty drink perfect for National Hot Chocolate Day and winter. It’s so easy to make and the taste… well, it’s amazing!
Avocado Hot Chocolate Recipe {5 Ingredients} Creamy & Rich!
Delicious, rich hot chocolate made even creamier by adding avocado. Once you try it this way on National Hot Chocolate Day, you'll never want to go back to regular hot chocolate!
Rich Cinnamon & Anise Ganache Hot Chocolate
This very rich, sweet hot chocolate is a perfect treat and dessert to warm up after a day of playing in the snow. For National Hot Chocolate Day, give Rich Cinnamon & Anise Ganache Hot Chocolate a try!
Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate
This coconut milk hot chocolate is a delicious take on a classic winter drink. Creamy and rich, this chocolate treat is sure to WOW your friends and family on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Unicorn Hot Chocolate
Celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day with your children! Kids will adore this fun pink Unicorn Hot Chocolate with whipped cream, icing, and sprinkles!
Atole de Chocolate (or Mexican Chocolate Atole)
Atole de Chocolate is a warm and rich Mexican drink. A satisfying and yummy wintertime staple perfect for chilly nights and National Hot Chocolate Day.
Spicy Hazelnut Hot Chocolate (Vegan)
Cozy up on National Hot Chocolate Day with a mug of thick and spicy vegan hazelnut hot chocolate! This recipe isn’t just your classic hot cocoa: dark chocolate, crunchy toasted hazelnuts, and cayenne meet for a tasty twist.
Orange Spiked Boozy Hot Chocolate
This orange spiked boozy hot chocolate is a grown-up way to enjoy the comforting winter beverage on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Keto-Friendly S'mores Hot Chocolate recipe
This keto hot chocolate recipe gives you the flavors of a classic s'more on National Hot Chocolate Day without the guilt since it's a keto-friendly s'mores hot cocoa.
Pumpkin Hot Chocolate
This homemade pumpkin hot chocolate recipe uses real pumpkin puree and pumpkin pie spices to add a fall spin to a classic drink to enjoy on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Love that sweet and salty combination? This Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is for you! With its tasty mix of hot chocolate, creamy caramel, and sea salt, a warm mug full is just perfect for National Hot Chocolate Day. Prepare this recipe on the stove top or in the slow cooker for serving ease.
Raspberry Hot Chocolate (Rich & Creamy)
Warm up with a mug of Raspberry Hot Chocolate, made from scratch with 100% real food ingredients. This raspberry hot chocolate recipe isn’t quite as quick as mixing a packet of hot cocoa powder with hot water, but it’s a labor of love. In the end, for National Hot Chocolate Day you’ll have an incredibly creamy, velvety hot chocolate with notes of sweet-tart raspberry in every sip. No artificial flavors or sweeteners are needed!
Mayan Hot Chocolate
This Mayan Hot Chocolate recipe is wickedly bitter with a delicious creaminess and frothy texture. Elements of spice and chili help round out the bitter brew, making for a delicious alternative to your morning coffee or tea on National Hot Chocolate Day.
Vegan Coconut Matcha Hot Chocolate Recipe
Are you a fan of matcha? If so, you’ll love this Vegan Coconut Matcha Hot Chocolate Recipe for National Hot Chocolate Day. This is a rich drinking chocolate so this recipe makes two small drinks. It’s got 3 ingredients and comes together in under 10 minutes.
Hojicha Hot Chocolate
This recipe for Hojicha Hot Chocolate is a fantastic way and unique to enjoy tea and hot chocolate in one drink on National Hot Chocolate Day. Roasted green tea (hojicha) adds a nutty and earthy flavour to the dark chocolate. Enjoy this elevated and kid-friendly hot chocolate drink on a cold winter's day!
Irish Hot Chocolate St. Patrick’s Day Drink
Irish Hot Chocolate is the perfect St. Patrick’s Day cocktail on a cold evening. Take hot chocolate to a whole new level by adding Irish whiskey and Irish cream. A warm and comforting drink, it’s the perfect way to celebrate National Hot Chocolate Day.
THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATE WITH EARL GREY
You can make the best hot chocolate with just two ingredients: dark chocolate and milk. Start on National Hot Chocolate Day with the best dark chocolate you can buy. You can keep it simple or you can infuse the milk with Earl Grey tea!
Raspberry Truffle Cocktail
If you love the wonderful combination of raspberry and chocolate, a Raspberry Truffle Cocktail is for you on National Hot Chocolate Day! Served warm with its delicious mix of chocolate milk, vanilla vodka, and raspberry liqueur, this is one cocktail that's just perfect for winter and holiday sipping.
Dark Hot Chocolate With Amaretto
This rich dark hot chocolate with amaretto is the best creamy spiked alcoholic hot chocolate to try on National Hot Chocolate Day. Milk, dark chocolate, sugar and vanilla melted together. A shot of amaretto mixed in, topped with whipped cream, sliced almonds and chocolate sauce.
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