Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate

This scrumptious concoction is the perfect holiday beverage for curling up in front of the fire and dreaming of a white sandy beach. It's also an incredible, blast-of-deliciousness that you won't be able to stop thinking about long after you've finished it.

What You Need: Milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar, cornstarch, cinnamon, vanilla extract, chipotle powder or chili powder and nutmeg. Optional toppings: whipped cream marshmallows, chocolate syrup and/or chocolate shavings.

Step One: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine milk and unsweetened cocoa powder. Stir until consistent.

(Pouring milk into the saucepan, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding unsweetened cocoa to milk, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Stirring milk and unsweetened cocoa, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

Step Two: Add sugar, cornstarch and cinnamon.

(Adding sugar, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding cornstarch, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding cinnamon, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

Step Three: Add vanilla extract, chili powder, nutmeg and cayenne.

(Adding vanilla extract, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding chili powder, Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding nutmeg, Mexican Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

(Adding cayenne, Mexican Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

Step Four: Stir until it's mixed really well.

(Stirring, Mexican Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

Step Five: Top with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate shavings. Then taste it. After your taste buds encounter this scrumptious soul-warming drink, you won't be the same afterwards. Promise.

(Finished product, Mexican Hot Chocolate, photo by: J. Clegg.)

After you've whipped up this to-die-for beverage and are celebrating the season, why not start making our very festive Beach Ornament? You're welcome.