By Becky Hardin
Updated Jun 24, 2025
This Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is my go-to Thanksgiving cocktail! Rich, creamy, with just the right kick, I make it in the slow cooker so it’s perfect for serving a crowd. This creamy twist on a classic is a must-make for the holidays.
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Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate Recipe
This Spiked Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is the perfect holiday treat! I’m a big believer that every holiday should have a fun, big-batch cocktail prepared, waiting to be enjoyed. It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it should be cozy, easy, and delicious!
I’ve made a couple of party drink recipes in the past that have been big hits, like my apple pie sangria I made during my first year of blogging, and my apple cider mimosas that I made last year. Now that my family is hooked on having something unique and tasty to sip throughout the holiday season, I know I have to get creative every Thanksgiving. This year I think I’ve topped them all with this spiked hot chocolate.
It’s ultra-creamy, and so easy to make—it’s made right in a slow cooker. And if you like this drink, be sure to try my homemade pumpkin spice latte too!
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 2 cups heavy cream 454 grams
- ▢ 4 cups milk 908 grams
- ▢ 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 396 grams (1 can)
- ▢ 1 cup pumpkin purée 227 grams, store-bought or homemade (not pumpkin pie filling)
- ▢ 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 9 grams
- ▢ 1½ cups Stoli Gluten Free Vodka 341 grams, plus more or less to taste
- ▢ 2 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips 283 grams (10 oz)
Optional Garnishes
- ▢ marshmallows
- ▢ whipped cream
Instructions
- Add the cream, milk, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and vodka to a slow cooker. Use a whisk to combine as fully as possible. Pour in the chocolate chips. 2 cups heavy cream, 4 cups milk, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup pumpkin purée, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, 1½ cups Stoli Gluten Free Vodka, 2 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- Set the slow cooker on low for 2 hours, or until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is hot to your liking.
- Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and serve! marshmallows, whipped cream
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Crockpot
Becky’s Tips
- Feel free to use your favorite brand of vodka . Try a vanilla or whipped cream vodka for a sweeter taste.
- You can also use rum in place of the vodka for a sweeter taste.
- Use your favorite kind of chocolate chips , such as milk or dark.
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate in a Slow Cooker Step by Step
Combine the ingredients: Add 2 cups heavy cream, 4 cups milk, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup pumpkin purée, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, and 1½ cups Stoli Gluten Free Vodka to the slow cooker. Use a whisk to combine and then add 2 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips
Set the slow cooker: Set the slow cooker on low for 2 hours, or until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is hot to your liking.
Top and serve : Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and serve.
How to Store
Store leftover pumpkin-spiced hot chocolate in the fridge, without the toppings, for up to 3 days. Reheat over the stove or place back in the slow cooker.
Serving Suggestions
I topped my Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate with toasted marshmallows, but in the tradition of pumpkin pie, it would also be great with some whipped cream ! If you’re craving a snack alongside your hot chocolate, make a batch of gooey butter cookies or chocolate chip cookie bars .
more hot chocolate recipes
Malted Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix Recipe
Slow Cooker Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe
White Hot Chocolate with Stormtrooper Marshmallows
Frozen Caramel Hot Chocolate
Spiked Slow Cooker Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Crockpot
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy cream 454 grams
- 4 cups milk 908 grams
- 14 oz sweetened condensed milk 396 grams (1 can)
- 1 cup pumpkin purée 227 grams, store-bought or homemade (not pumpkin pie filling)
- 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice 9 grams
- 1½ cups Stoli Gluten Free Vodka 341 grams, plus more or less to taste
- 2 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips 283 grams (10 oz)
Optional Garnishes
- marshmallows
- whipped cream
Instructions
- Add the cream, milk, sweetened condensed milk, pumpkin purée, pumpkin pie spice, and vodka to a slow cooker. Use a whisk to combine as fully as possible. Pour in the chocolate chips. 2 cups heavy cream, 4 cups milk, 14 oz sweetened condensed milk, 1 cup pumpkin purée, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, 1½ cups Stoli Gluten Free Vodka, 2 cups good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- Set the slow cooker on low for 2 hours, or until chocolate is fully melted and mixture is hot to your liking.
- Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and serve! marshmallows, whipped cream
Notes
- Feel free to use your favorite brand of vodka . Try a vanilla or whipped cream vodka for a sweeter taste.
- You can also use rum in place of the vodka for a sweeter taste.
- Use your favorite kind of chocolate chips , such as milk or dark.
- Nutritional information does not include optional garnishes.
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
