We’re not just talking about tossing cocoa powder in milk and calling it a day. Nah, that’s kid stuff. I’m talking bold, rich, soul-warming recipes that turn a cold winter night into a cozy little memory. And guess what? They’re surprisingly easy. No pastry degree required. Just a pot, a spoon, and maybe a good Netflix queue.

In this post, you’ll meet five hot chocolate recipes that break the mold: one that sneaks in peanut butter (don’t knock it till you sip it), one with a spicy twist (hello, cayenne), and even one for your dairy-free friend who pretends oat milk tastes better than it does. There’s something for everyone—and no, not one of these came from a powdered packet.

The Danger Lurking in Your Pantry (Spoiler: It’s Pre-Mixed Cocoa)

Let’s be real—most store-bought cocoa mixes are little sugar bombs with barely any actual chocolate. You know it, I know it. They rely on artificial flavors, unnecessary thickeners, and enough corn syrup solids to host a science fair. Worse? They give hot chocolate a bad name.

If you’ve ever sipped one and thought, “This is fine,” your standards have been mug-napped. Time to raise the bar.

Recipe #1: The French Connection (Parisian Hot Chocolate)

Why It’s Not Just "Fancy Cocoa"

This is the kind of hot chocolate that makes you question whether you’ve been lied to your whole life. Rich, dark, and nearly as thick as pudding, it’s what French cafés serve unapologetically in tiny cups. One sip, and you get it.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole milk
• ½ cup heavy cream
• 200g bittersweet chocolate
• 1 tablespoon sugar (optional)
• Pinch of sea salt

Method:

Warm the milk and cream to a steaming but not boiling temperature. Remove from the heat source and add in the chocolate to melt it. Add sugar and salt. Continue whisking until thick and glossy. Serve guiltily in small cups.

Recipe #2: The Firestarter (Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate)

Because Plain Cocoa Is for Cowards

Ever wanted your cocoa to punch back? This one’s for you. Cinnamon, chili, and vanilla swirl together in a mug that wakes you up more than espresso ever could. It’s bold, spicy, and unapologetically hot—literally.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk (whole or oat)
• ⅓ cup dark cocoa powder
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (or more if you’re wild)
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Method:

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine all of the ingredients. Don't step away; this stuff burns quickly. Pour into your favorite mug once it has heated up and thickened slightly. If you're feeling soft, top with whipped cream.

Recipe #3: Nut Job (Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate)

Yes, You Read That Right

Peanut butter and chocolate are the Beyoncé and Jay-Z of the food world. Undeniable chemistry. This combo turns your average cup into a nutty, salty, velvety wonder that tastes like dessert and comfort all at once.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups milk
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Method:

Warm the milk to a warm temperature. Whisk the peanut butter, sugar, salt, and cocoa together until it is all mixed. Add vanilla last. It can be served thin or thick. Either way, it will have the flavor of a Reese's went to high school.

Recipe #4: The Vegan Lie Detector (Oat Milk Mocha Hot Chocolate)

Plant-Based Doesn’t Mean Flavor-Free

Here’s where most vegan hot chocolates go wrong: they taste like brown water. This one doesn't. With strong brewed coffee (or espresso), dark chocolate, and creamy oat milk, it’s so good it might make you switch teams.

Ingredients:

• 1½ cups oat milk
• ½ cup strong coffee
• ¼ cup chopped dark vegan chocolate
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup (or more if sweet-toothed)
• Pinch of cinnamon

Method:

Warm up the oat milk slowly and add the chocolate, coffee, and maple syrup. Stir well until it is glossy. Add cinnamon on top. Watch out—it might make non-vegans feel happier.

Recipe #5: The Lazy Genius (One-Minute Microwave Hot Chocolate)

Because We All Have Netflix Paused

No judgment—sometimes you just want something warm and sweet without dirtying a single pot. This microwave hack uses real ingredients and zero shortcuts. Except, you know, the microwave.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk (any kind)
• 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons chocolate chips
• Dash of vanilla

Method:

In a microwave-safe cup, mix sugar, cocoa, and two tablespoons of milk together to form a paste. Add chocolate chips and the other milk. 60 to 90 seconds in the microwave. Stir like it's your dying breath. Drink after adding vanilla. No soap, no traumas.

There's no secret to making a strawberry drink. In any case, we recommend chopping or even mashing the fruit—using a wooden or plastic muddler like the ones we use to make caipirinhas—and be careful not to combine it with other fruits that don't pair well with it.

In this article, we've put together 06 recipes for alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, some lighter and others more elaborate, for you to discover and try at home, with family or friends.

And don't think that the only possible combination in the bar world is strawberries with vodka or sake! You'll also see other alternatives that work well together. Keep reading.

06 strawberry drink recipes

In the following topics, you will find recipes for preparations with and without alcohol, with condensed milk, with sparkling water and lemon soda, with gin and sake and much more.

While you're choosing your favorite, you can call the grocery store and order some trays of fresh strawberries!

1. Strawberry drink with sparkling water (strawberry mojito with or without alcohol)

An excellent recipe that uses strawberries and sparkling water is the non-traditional mojito recipe we discussed earlier! The coolest thing about this recipe is that it can be made with or without rum—the alcoholic beverage that forms the mojito's base.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large cup

Ingredients

• 10 cleaned and chopped strawberries
• 1 squeezed lemon
• 5 or 6 mint leaves
• 200 ml sparkling water
• Sugar or sweetener to taste
• Ice

Preparation method

1. Mash the strawberries.
2. Add sugar or sweetener.
3. Add the lemon juice.
4. Add ice and stir well.
5. Add the mint leaves to the mixture after gently rubbing them with your fingertips to release their scent.
6. Stir a little more and serve.

Want a boozy mojito? When you add the lime juice, add 50 to 60 ml of rum!

2. Strawberry drink with condensed milk

Another option that is delicious with or without alcohol: the unparalleled strawberry smoothie!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 large cup

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups chopped strawberries
• ½ cup condensed milk
• 4 cups of guarana soda or vodka
• Sugar or sweetener to taste
• Ice

Preparation method

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender without adding ice, sugar, or sweetener.
2. Add ice and sweeten. Blend a little longer, but leave some ice cubes intact.

Then, just serve. You can try swapping guarana soda for lemon soda and see what you think. Speaking of soda, how about a really nice frozen treat with it?

3. Strawberry drink with sprite

Another simple blender recipe. Take note!

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 10 washed and chopped strawberries
• 1 squeezed lemon
• 200 ml lemon soda
• Sugar or sweetener to taste
• Ice

Preparation method

There are no step-by-step instructions here. Just blend everything and serve! Some people prefer it filtered, while others prefer it chunky. It's up to you!

This drink is popular as a non-alcoholic strawberry drink and has become so popular among children that it is often prepared by parents at children's parties and gatherings or picnics , but it can also be made with vodka, sake or even gin.

And speaking of children's parties and drinks with lemon soda...

4. Mango and strawberry drink

Remember the pairing suggestions you saw at the beginning of this article? Here's another perfect match for both kids and adults, in non-alcoholic and alcoholic versions, respectively.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Yield : 4 medium cups

Ingredients

• ½ peeled and chopped mango
• One cup of fresh or frozen strawberries, cleaned and chopped
• ½ cup orange juice
• 1 tablespoon of honey
• 1 L of lemon-lime soda of your choice or sparkling water

Preparation method

1. In a blender, blend all the ingredients except the soda or sparkling water.
2. Serve the mixture in a glass, with ice, filling it halfway.
3. Pour the remaining water or soda into the glass and mix gently.
4. Serve.

Honey is a natural sweetener that, in addition to being used in sugar-free desserts , is a great substitute for the ingredient in the preparation of drinks.

Other than that, if you want to turn the preparation into an alcoholic drink, you don't need to remove anything from the mixture, just reduce the amount of soda added a little and add 60 ml of vodka or 80 ml of sake.

Now, let's move on to 100% alcoholic drinks.

5. Strawberry Caipirinha

Straightforward and straightforward, with no complicated preparation, the "root" caipirinha can be made with strawberries instead of lemon, but it needs to have cachaça.

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 cup

Ingredients

• 6 washed and chopped strawberries
• 60 ml of cachaça
• Sugar or sweetener to taste
• Ice

Preparation method

1. In a glass, combine the strawberries and sugar or sweetener, then pound with a pestle.
2. Add ice to the glass.
3. Add the cachaça over the crushed and sweetened strawberries and ice and stir well until everything is combined.

Finish with basil, if desired, and taste. Add more ice if needed.

6. Easy Strawberry Drink

Another option that combines strawberries and condensed milk, but this time it's made with that ready-made drink you find on supermarket shelves, usually by looking for the brand name and the "ice" characteristic. It's super quick to prepare!

Preparation time: 5 minutes
Yield: 1 large cup

Ingredients

• 6 washed and chopped strawberries
• 100 ml condensed milk
• One tiny bottle of your preferred "ice"
• Ice

Preparation method

1. In the glass in which you will serve or consume the drink, mash the strawberries together with the condensed milk to make the job even easier and faster.
2. Add ice and top up with “ice”.

Ready. No need to sweeten.

Here's a selection made with love for you. Ready?

1. Frozen Skol Beats

A vibrant mix that will win you over from the first sip and a lively drink to liven up your parties!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 liter

Ingredients

• 2 cans of Skol Beats Senses
• 1 squeezed lemon
• 1 can of condensed milk
• Lots of ice

Preparation method

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender at maximum speed until the ice is completely broken.
2. Distribute the drink into glasses.

And just enjoy!

2. Frozen lemon drink with a “caipivodka” feel

Famous both domestically and internationally, the caipirinha is the Brazilian drink most loved by foreigners and can be adapted to be made with vodka instead of cachaça. How about, in addition to the traditional adaptation, turning it into a frozen drink?

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 500 ml

Ingredients

• 100-120 ml of vodka (may vary more or less depending on your taste)
• 3 tablespoons of refined sugar
• 3 squeezed lemons
• Ice

Preparation method

1. Blend the vodka, sugar, and lemon juice in a blender, gradually adding ice and blending again until you get a creamy, firm drink.
2. Distribute into glasses and consume immediately.

To add a touch of charm to the presentation, you can decorate the drink with a lemon slice cut in half and placed in the “mouth” of each glass.

Want a real frozen caipirinha? Just go back to the previous version and keep the cachaça in place of the vodka, but keep the dosage to a minimum.

3. Halls Cherry Flavored Frozen Candy

This is one of those recipes you need to prepare and taste before serving, otherwise, you'll have a hard time convincing your friends or family that it's actually delicious. Oh! You can remove the alcohol from the ingredient list and offer it as a non-alcoholic drink , if you like.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 liter

Ingredients

• 1 packet (28 g) of Halls cherry flavored candy
• 1 can of condensed milk
• 100-120 ml of vodka
• Ice

Preparation method

1. Blend all ingredients in a blender.
2. Serve the beverage right away after pouring it into cups.

You can choose other candy flavors and play with people's senses. Just don't risk it with the one in the black wrapper!

4. Frozen passion fruit

Fans of a more tart drink will be delighted! Refreshing and full of personality, the passion fruit alcoholic frozen drink further highlights the delicious combination of sweetness and acidity of this tropical fruit.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 liter

Ingredients

• 500 ml frozen passion fruit pulp
• 4 tablespoons of refined sugar
• 35 ml of Tahiti lime juice
• 240 ml of vodka

Preparation method

1. In a blender, combine the frozen passion fruit pulp, sugar, lemon juice, and vodka.
2. Beat for 2 minutes until a thick cream forms.
3. Serve immediately.

Extra (and chic!) tip: try serving your drink in dry martini glasses.

5. Tangerine Frozen

Simplicity and intensity are the main characteristics of this recipe.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 liter

Ingredients

• 200 ml of vodka
• 300 ml of water
• 2 sachets of tangerine juice powder
• 2 tablespoons of honey
• 2 tablespoons of refined sugar
• Lots of ice

Preparation method

1. Fill the blender with ice.
2. Add the vodka, powdered juice and water.
3. Blend well until everything is thoroughly blended. You'll get a thick drink.
4. Don't add honey or sugar to the drink! Set aside two small plates and place each ingredient on one.
5. Now, yes! Serve!

Tin-tin.

6. Frozen strawberry with vodka

Just the right amount of sweetness, a strawberry drink wins hearts! Super refreshing and quick to make, it's incredibly appealing when served in martini glasses garnished with strawberry slices, as pictured. Just remember to properly clean the fruit before preparing.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 500 ml

Ingredients

• 250 g strawberries
• 1 squeezed Sicilian lemon
• 2 tablespoons of refined sugar
• 200 ml of vodka

Preparation method

1. Remove the stems and leaves from the cleaned strawberries and freeze them whole.
2. After a few hours, take the strawberries out of the freezer and place them, still frozen, in the blender jar.
3. Add the strained Sicilian lemon juice to the blender – to remove seeds and segments.
4. Add the remaining ingredients, except the ice, and blend.
5. Repeat this process as many times as necessary until the drink reaches a creamy consistency.

Now, are you ready to try some bolder alternatives? Just look at this rum-based frozen treat!

7. Strawberry and Rum Frozen

Prepare your taste buds for a sensory experience that will transport you straight to the Caribbean without needing a passport: strawberry + rum + lime.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 500 ml

Ingredients

• 150 ml of rum (golden type)
• 1 squeezed lemon
• 1 tablespoon of refined sugar
• 8 ripe strawberries
• Ice

Preparation method

1. Clean the strawberries and remove stems and leaves.
2. Blend all ingredients in a blender.

8. Frozen watermelon “Moscow Mule” style

In this recipe, the traditional Moscow Mule – made with vodka, lime, and ginger foam – gets a charming, tropical twist by replacing the lime with watermelon.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 1 liter

Ingredients

• 60 ml of vodka
• 1 cup (tea) of watermelon cut into cubes and without seeds
• 30 ml ginger syrup
• Ice at will

Preparation method

1. Mix the vodka and ice in a blender until all the rocks are thoroughly broken up.
2. Add the watermelon cubes and ginger syrup and blend again on high speed.
3. Ready!

Now, just serve it in glasses, in the famous copper mugs or in glasses.

9. Tropical frozen drink (with sake)

What? Passion fruit and pineapple together? Yes! This tropical frozen drink blends the two fruits, combining sweet and sour in a delicious combination.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 750 ml

Ingredients

• 100 ml of sake
• 1-2 cups pineapple, cut into chunks
• 40 ml condensed milk
• 40 ml of cream
• Ice

Preparation method

1. In a blender, add 100 ml of sake, pineapple pieces, and passion fruit pulp with or without seeds, as you prefer.
2. Also add the condensed milk and cream.
3. Finally, add the ice and blend everything.

A good strawberry smoothie can be made with vodka, wine, or cachaça, not to mention the key elements of this type of drink: fruit and condensed milk – or a chilled substitute that you'll learn about in this article.

All options are valid when it comes to pleasing the taste of your customers or guests.

And if the best way to win people's love is through their stomach, there's nothing better than having a really tasty and different drink to go with it, right?

Now, see everything you need to know to make the best strawberry smoothies in your region!

5 best types of strawberry smoothie

The five best strawberry smoothies are those made with vodka, ice cream, wine, gin, and, believe it or not, even non-alcoholic ones! This drink is perfect for any type of crowd because it's incredibly versatile and can be prepared in a variety of ways.

1. Strawberry and vodka smoothie

The most classic strawberry milkshake recipes call for vodka. A modest amount is more than plenty to give the drink its alcohol flavor and make it tasty, but you can add more if you'd like.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 cups

Ingredients

100 mL of vodka
7 to 10 strawberries
1 can of condensed milk
Ice to taste

Preparation method

1. Place all ingredients in the blender.
2. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
3. Serve in a glass garnished with strawberry chunks and syrup.

Prefer something a little different? The next version does the trick!

2. Strawberry wine smoothie

This is an unconventional variation of the drink, which will please wine fans a lot.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

1 L of sparkling or white wine
8 strawberries
1 can of condensed milk
2 tablespoons of refined sugar
Ice to taste

Preparation method

1. Separate the ingredients and clean the strawberries before starting.
2. Put everything in the blender.
3. Then, turn on the device, let each ingredient mix and that's it!

The tip here is to use the wine already chilled to avoid using too much ice and to fully enjoy the flavor of the drink! Just like that, you now have another drink variation to add to your menu.

3. Strawberry and gin smoothie

Among the many gin cocktail recipes , this one is sure to become a crowd favorite. There's no secret: just add a shot of gin to the strawberry smoothie. Check it out!

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

200 mL of gin
7 to 10 strawberries
1 can of condensed milk
Ice to taste

Preparation method

1. Place all ingredients in the blender.
2. Blend everything in pulse mode to break up the ice.
3. Then, beat a little more at medium speed.
4. Then, just serve the drink in a pretty glass.

Simple and tasty!

4. Strawberry smoothie with ice cream

A scoop of ice cream that complements the strawberry flavor, such as vanilla or chocolate, will be a hit in either an alcoholic or non-alcoholic version of the smoothie . You can follow the previous recipes and simply add it as an "extra," or make it as explained below.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 5 servings

Ingredients

250g vanilla or chocolate ice cream
500ml milk
8 to 10 strawberries
Alcoholic beverage of your choice (optional)

Preparation method

1. In a blender, combine the milk and ice cream.
2. Add the strawberries, the alcoholic option (if desired) and blend everything again.
3. The result will be a chilled and super creamy drink to enjoy.

5. Strawberry smoothie with condensed milk (alcohol-free)

Yes! Those who don't drink alcohol also deserve a delicious drink. Besides being simpler and cheaper to make, you can also reach a segment of the public who doesn't want or can't drink.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

7 to 10 strawberries
1 box (200 mL) of cream
1 can of condensed milk
Ice to taste

Preparation method

1. Place all ingredients in the blender.
2. Beat until the mixture is smooth.
3. If there is still a lot of ice, select the “pulse” option to break it up a little more.

How to make strawberry milkshake with cachaça?

Also known as strawberry caipirinha with condensed milk, this recipe is present on the menu of bars, restaurants and also at dinner with friends.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Yield: 6 servings

Ingredients

100 mL of cachaça
16 strawberries
8 tablespoons of condensed milk
8 ice cubes
4 tablespoons of filtered ice water

Preparation method

1. In a cocktail shaker, add the already cleaned strawberries and sugar.
2. Crush the fruit with a muddler and combine it with the sugar.
3. Close the shaker after adding the ice cubes, water, and condensed milk.
4. Shake well to mix the ingredients.
5. Serve in a glass of your choice and garnish with a strawberry to finish.

With the exception of this last masterpiece, basically every smoothie consists of throwing a few ingredients into the blender. In fact, even the last recipe tastes good if made in a less professional way, mind you!