To: The holiday health nut

From: Divine Healthy Food

Healthy hot chocolate does exist, and it tastes just as good as the real thing. This homemade hot chocolate recipe is 100 percent vegan and 200 percent delicious. Note: If you can't find lucuma, a low-glycemic sweetener made from a Peruvian fruit, substitute with 1/2 tablespoon of brown sugar.

Ingredients (serves 2):
1/2 cup whole cashews, pre-soaked
1/4 cup whole almonds, pre-soaked
2 cups purified water
2 tablespoons cacao powder
1 tablespoon lucuma
1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil
1 teaspoon cacao nibs
6 pitted dates
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Pinch of sea salt

Directions:
Soak the cashews and almonds for an hour. After the nuts have been soaked, drain and place them in a blender, along with the purified water, cacao powder, lucuma, extra virgin coconut oil, cacao nibs and dates. Blend on full speed until liquified.

Pour the liquid into a small saucepan and heat on high or medium-high. Add a teaspoon of maple syrup, vanilla extract and a small pinch of salt.

Whisk until the liquid heats up, about three to six minutes. Pour into a glass and top with a sprinkling of cacao powder and cacao nibs as desired.

To: The girl who needs a little help getting through holidays with the family

From: The Kitchn

You may not believe in Santa anymore, but adulthood can be just as fun. This whiskey-spiked hot chocolate recipe is where the magic really happens.

Ingredients:
1/8 cup cocoa powder
1/8 cup sugar
1 cup milk
Pinch of salt
2 ounces Irish whiskey
Whipped cream to top

Directions:
Combine the milk, cocoa powder, sugar and salt in a small saucepan, and whisk until smooth and creamy over medium heat.

Remove from the heat and add your whiskey. Pour into your favorite mug and top with a dollop of whipped cream. Sprinkle cinnamon or cocoa on top, if desired.

To: The girl who counts down all year until Christmas

From:
Chow Hound

After one sip of this festive peppermint hot chocolate, "Winter Wonderland" instantly starts playing in your brain. The best part is that this homemade hot chocolate recipe takes just four ingredients and five minutes of your time.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
6 peppermint candies, crushed (about 4 teaspoons)
5 ounces high-quality milk chocolate, coarsely chopped

Directions:
Combine milk, cream, and peppermints in a small saucepan and let simmer over medium heat. Whisk periodically until candies are dissolved, about four minutes.

Add in chocolate and whisk until it is completely melted and well incorporated, about 2 minutes. Enjoy immediately.

To: The girl who won't survive the winter without caffeine

From: Kris Schoels for Fox News

The temperatures are chillier, the days are shorter and the temptation to go into hibernation all season is stronger than ever. Luckily, we have this coffee hot chocolate recipe, which offers just enough sugar and caffeine to keep us upright until April.

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
3 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 teaspoons pure cocoa
1 teaspoon instant coffee
Pinch of salt
Whipped cream and cinnamon to garnish

Directions:
Pour milk into a small saucepan and cook over medium heat. As milk simmers, add in sugar, vanilla, cocoa, instant coffee, brown sugar and salt.

Stir until all ingredients are dissolved. Pour into a mug, garnish with whipped cream and cinnamon and enjoy!

To: The life of the holiday party

From: A Cocktail Life

This homemade hot chocolate is made of sugar, spice and everything nice -- aka, chocolate, cayenne pepper and a shot of spiced rum. It's every cocktail lover's dream hot chocolate recipe.

Ingredients:
1 cup milk
2 ounces milk chocolate
1 ounce semi-sweet chocolate
1 tablespoon light brown sugar
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Pinch of salt
1 1/2 ounces spiced rum
Marshmallows to top

Directions:
Place 1/2 tablespoon butter in a mug, and microwave for 5 seconds to soften. Stir in sugar and brown rice syrup, and mix until blended.

Add milk, sugar and chocolate to a small pot and cook on a low heat, stirring consistently, until chocolate and sugar have dissolved.

Whisk in your spices. Remove from the heat, stir in rum and pour into a mug or glass. Stir in the marshmallows, serve hot and enjoy.