18 Boozy Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Rest of Winter (2024)

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Ariel Knutson

Ariel Knutson

Arie was the Features Director at Kitchn. She lives in Los Angeles.

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updated Jan 17, 2020

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We’re calling it now — the unofficial drink this winter is a steamy mug of red wine hot chocolate. If you’re not so sure of the idea, however, there are many other ways to indulge in boozy hot chocolate as temperatures stay cold outside. Basically any kind of booze and chocolate go together. Here are 18 recipes to get you started.

1. Spiked Nutella Hot Chocolate

Wait, you haven’t tried adding Nutella to your hot chocolate? You need to get on that immediately.

Get the recipe: Spiked Nutella Hot Chocolate

2. Broiled Bailey’s Hot Chocolate

3. Boozy Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream

You might think the star of this recipe is the bourbon, but it’s actually the homemade vanilla bean whipped cream.

Get the recipe: Boozy Hot Chocolate with Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream from The Almond Eater

4. Kahlua Hot Chocolate

This is a great gift idea for the holidays. As the blogger behind Damn Delicious explains, “Simply combine the dry ingredients and throw them into a cute jar with a ribbon and you’re set. It doesn’t get easier, or cheaper, than that!”

Get the recipe: Kahlua Hot Chocolate from Damn Delicious

5. Stout Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream

I like the hot-cold thing going on with this drink. You warm the hot chocolate and stout together and then you pour it into a mug with a scoop of ice cream.

Get the recipe: Stout Hot Chocolate with Ice Cream from Floating Kitchen

6. Pumpkin Butterbeer Hot Chocolate

Of course there is a Harry Potter boozy hot chocolate. Of course! This one has bourbon, by the way.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin Butterbeer Hot Chocolate from Half Baked Harvest

7. S’mores Hot Chocolate co*cktail

How good does that marshmallow top look? This recipe gets the boozy factor from whiskey.

Get the recipe: S’mores Hot Chocolate co*cktail from Sugar & Soul

8. Mocha Mudslide Hot Chocolate

The blogger behind Lemons for Lulu describes this drink as a “rich and creamy, warm version of the popular mudslide co*cktail!” Sounds about right.

Get the recipe: Mocha Mudslide Hot Chocolate from Lemons for Lulu

9. Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

This is like a mix between a Pumpkin Spice Latte, hot chocolate, and a co*cktail. It sounds pretty perfect.

Get the recipe: Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate from Minimalist Baker

10. Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Make a rich drink with dark chocolate, cocoa powder, cinnamon, brown sugar, whole milk. And of course, red wine.

11. Coconut Cardamom Bourbon Hot Chocolate

This hot chocolate is all about balance. It’s the perfect mix between sweet, spicy, and boozy.

Get the recipe: Coconut Cardamom Bourbon Hot Chocolate from Autumn Makes & Does

12. Hot Cocoa with Rum

The perfect companion for a Netflix binge.

Get the recipe: Hot Cocoa with Rum from Verily

13. Hot Cocoa & Kilbeggan Whiskey

A comforting cup of rich hot cocoa spiked with whiskey and dolloped with rich whipped cream, is all you’ll need for a little happiness to finish off a long week.

Get the recipe:

14. Spiced Red Wine Hot Chocolate

This recipe goes beyond just adding red wine and hot cocoa together. It gets its spice from a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Get the recipe: Spiced Red Wine Hot Chocolate from Afternoon Espresso

15. Boozy Orange Hot Chocolate

You know those chocolate oranges that are popular around the holidays? This is basically the boozy beverage version of that treat.

Get the recipe: Boozy Orange Hot Chocolate from Momtastic

16. Naughty Nice Coconut Kahlua Hot Cocoa with Spiked Eggnog Marshmallows

There is so much happening in this drink that I don’t know where to start. You really don’t want to miss out on those chocolate-dipped eggnog marshmallows.

Get the recipe: Naughty Nice Hot Cocoa with Spiked Eggnog Marshmallows from Half Baked Harvest

17. Alcoholic Hot Chocolate

This rich hot chocolate is spiked with dark rum, and is rounded out with honey, brown sugar, and vanilla extract.

Get the recipe: Alcoholic Hot Chocolate from Erinnish

18. Red Wine Hot Chocolate

This is the red wine hot chocolate recipe that is taking over the internet. Make it now and understand why it’s so trendy.

Get the recipe: Red Wine Hot Chocolate from Imma Eat That

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18 Boozy Hot Chocolate Recipes for the Rest of Winter (2024)

FAQs

What is the best liquor to put in hot chocolate? ›

Rum: Dark or spiced rum can give your hot chocolate an exciting Caribbean twist. Rum's natural sweetness and spicy undertones complement the rich cocoa beautifully, creating a blend that is smooth, warming and deeply comforting. Brandy: A shot of brandy can lend an enticing depth of flavour to your hot chocolate.

Which rum is best for hot chocolate? ›

Issac: A dark rum would go well with hot chocolate. As for recommendations for someone who is new to rums, Don Q Anejo wins hands down as the best buy considering flavor and price.

What to put in hot chocolate to make it better? ›

Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup. To transform cocoa into a co*cktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits. Other unique ways to liven up hot chocolate include adding coffee, spices, and extracts.

Does alcohol cook out of hot chocolate? ›

It is hard to believe but, once cooked, about 70-75% of its alcohol content remains on the plate. It is a different matter when alcohol is mixed with an ingredient and then heated to boiling point. After 15 minutes, 40% of the alcohol remains, after 30 minutes 35%, and only after two and a half hours 5%.

How to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›

Ideas to Customize:
  1. 1/4 teaspoon pure vanilla extract or 1-2 drops pure peppermint extract.
  2. 1 shot whiskey, dark rum, or peppermint schnapps.
  3. Pinch kosher salt highly recommended for all flavor combinations.
  4. Pinch espresso powder will enhance the chocolate flavor.

How to doctor up hot chocolate? ›

An easy way to add extra flavor to any cup of cocoa—be it out of the box or homemade—is to add a touch of your favorite spices. A sprinkle of cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, nutmeg or even cayenne can all be welcome warming additions.

Why put marshmallows in hot chocolate? ›

Loss says kitchen air produces an “evaporative cooling” effect as water is freed from the drink's surface and into the atmosphere. Since they're filled with air, the marshmallows could insulate the hot chocolate by slowing down this cooling.

What is signature hot chocolate? ›

Information is based on standard recipes and does not reflect customization. Steamed milk and mocha sauce topped with sweetened whipped cream and a chocolate-flavored drizzle. A timeless classic made to sweeten your spirits.

What is a substitute for rum in chocolate? ›

We would suggest using 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract as an alternative as vanilla is also a very complimentary flavour to chocolate. If you can use alcohol but don't have any rum, then brandy, bourbon or whisky would be good alternatives.

What is a rum with hot water called? ›

The Toddy's origins are in the mid-18th century, and the drink traditionally comprises a spirit, sugar and hot water, perhaps with a lemon peel or assorted spices. In Ireland, they used Irish whiskey. In Scotland, they used scotch. In the United States, well, they used whatever was on hand—often brandy or rum.

What is the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate? ›

Marshmallows: The Unsung Hero

Believe it or not, the secret ingredient in gourmet hot chocolate is none other than marshmallows. These fluffy, sweet confections are the unsung heroes of the hot chocolate world, adding a delightful creaminess and hint of sweetness that takes the drink to a whole new level.

Is hot chocolate better with water or milk? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

How do you keep hot chocolate hot for a party? ›

Find a serving vessel: You might ladle directly from a Dutch oven on the stove, keep a batch warm in a slow-cooker or Instant Pot, or perhaps decant to a large tea kettle, insulated thermal carafe, or a plug in coffee urn.

What liqueur goes well with chocolate? ›

Fruity liqueurs such as Cointreau, Cherry Heering, and Chambord, or nutty ones such as Frangelico, amaretto, or Nocello (walnut liqueur) are naturals with chocolates, especially bittersweet versions without competing fruit flavors.

What liquor is used in chocolate? ›

Chocolate liqueur is a beverage made from a base liquor like whiskey or vodka (containing alcohol) to which chocolate is added.

How do you add alcohol to chocolate? ›

Place dark chocolate and 2 ounces of vodka into small heatproof bowl (glass bowls work best), stir until chocolate is evenly coated and set aside. Fill a small pot ¼ full with water and heat on medium. Once water starts to steam, place bowl of chocolate and vodka on top and allow chocolate to melt.

Is vodka good in hot chocolate? ›

Nothing screams warm and cozy like a delicious loaded, hot chocolate. This homemade Creamy Vodka Hot Chocolate is what this cool December needs. Combine just a few ingredients together in a pot, bring to a simmer, and add a splash of vodka and Bailey's for the perfect hot chocolate this wintery season.

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