13 Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes to Keep You Toasty This Winter (2024)

No matter how many hot cocoa recipes you try, let's face it: It's hard to screw up hot chocolate. As long as you have all your hot cocoa bar essentials in order, it doesn't take much to whip up a delicious chocolaty beverage. Know what can make hot cocoa even more fun? Booze! From the newest trend of adding red wine to Kahlua and more, there are plenty of liqueurs you can mix into your cuppa to make it for *adults only.* Here are 13 of our favorite boozy hot chocolate recipes to keep you totally toasty (and toasted) this winter.

Cinnamon Hot Chocolate With Rum and Horchata

13 Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes to Keep You Toasty This Winter (1)

Image via Fashion Edible

Rum and horchata — also known as RumChata — combines the kick of rum with the flavors of ground almonds, tiger nuts, sesame seeds and grains such as rice and barley. This winter, mix RumChata in with some hot chocolate and top with cinnamon and whipped cream. Score! (via Fashion Edible)

Red Wine Hot Chocolate

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Image via Wholefully

Yes, red wine hot chocolate is a thing, and we’re obsessed. Here’s a tip: Change out the varietal of wine you use in order to adjust the sweetness level of your cocoa. If you prefer a sweeter drink, go for a strawberry wine, and if you prefer something a little drier, add some shiraz or merlot. (via Wholefully)

Kahlua Hot Chocolate

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Image via Damn Delicious

This super simple recipe takes only 10 minutes to make, and it calls for ingredients you probably already have on hand at home. Hot cocoa mix, marshmallows, Kahlua, milk and sugar, to be exact. (via Damn Delicious)

Spiked and Spicy Hot Chocolate

13 Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes to Keep You Toasty This Winter (4)

Image via A Cocktail Life

Chocolate pairs well with spicy flavors. They bring out its nuttiness and add a little kick to its sweetness. This particular drink, which is topped with pillowy, fluffy marshmallows, is a case in point. (via A Cocktail Life)

Hot Chocolate del Diablo

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Image via Broma Bakery

Speaking of spicy hot chocolate, this concoction is called “del diablo” for a reason. We’re not messing around here: This bad boy calls for Patron Incendio tequila (yes, tequila!), which is infused with chocolate and chili peppers. Now THAT is hot. (via Broma Bakery)

Vegan Boozy Mexican Spiced Hot Chocolate

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Image via Kara Lydon

Chipotle and cayenne pepper add a bit of spice to this super yummy hot chocolate concoction. And, BONUS, it’s 100 percent vegan! Add coconut whip on top for a little extra oomph. (via Kara Lydon)

Stout Hot Chocolate With Ice Cream

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Image via Floating Kitchen

If you prefer beer to liquor, this will be your go-to drink for the cooler months. Trust us. We recommend springing for a craft chocolate stout for the ultimate in flavor and quality. (via Floating Kitchen)

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

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Image via Mixop

This peppermint hot chocolate tastes like an Andes mint in a cup! The addition of Kahlua or Peppermint Schanapps only makes it more fun. (via Mixop)

Chai Cocoa

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Image via Tito's Vodka

This chai cocoa feels so cozy and warm! The spiced chai and dark cocoa mix well together and create a delicious treat. (via Tito's Vodka)

RumChata White Hot Chocolate

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Image via Delish D'Lites

This recipe calls on the flavors of RumChata once again, this time in conjunction with white chocolate. Pro tip: When you’re heating this mixture, make sure not to let the milk boil. Keep it at a low simmer as you add your white chocolate, vanilla extract and, of course, your booze. (via Delish D’Lites)

Snow Day Sipper

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Image via Tito's Vodka

Chocolate, coffee, and alcohol make for such a yummy treat you'll want all winter long. (Tito's Vodka)

Naughty Nice Hot Cocoa

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Image via Half-Baked Harvest

This hot chocolate is spiked twice: There's Kahlua and hazelnut liquor in the cocoa itself and then the eggnog marshmallows have coconut rum. (via Half-Baked Harvest)

Orange Spiked Boozy Hot Chocolate

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Image via Salt and Lavender

Grand Mariner adds a hint of orange without being enough to feel the alcohol. (via Salt and Lavender)

Join our newsletter for even more boozy hot chocolate recipes, holiday cocktail ideas, and other holiday-themed recipes, and check out our complete list of hot cocktails. Also, don't forget to explore our great cooking and baking courses!

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13 Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipes to Keep You Toasty This Winter (2024)

FAQs

What alcohol goes best 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.

How do you keep hot chocolate hot at an event? ›

Cocoa - If your cocoa is pre-made, serve it in either an insulated carafe or a thermos with a spout. This will keep the hot chocolate warm and make it easy for guests to pour.

How do you upgrade your hot chocolate? ›

Peppermint extract instantly gives the drink a holiday flair.
  1. Sprinkle in warm spices. ...
  2. Mix in Nutella. ...
  3. Spike it. ...
  4. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  5. Add a rim.
Dec 4, 2023

What to add to make hot chocolate better? ›

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

Which alcohol is best with chocolate? ›

According to Megan Giller, author of a forthcoming book about American chocolate, barrel-aged spirits like whiskey or aged rum echo the natural vanilla and caramel richness found in many chocolates. Lighter spirits like gin can help bright fruit flavors really pop, she says.

What is rum and chocolate milk called? ›

Home / Beverages / Chocolate Lumumba Cocktail.

How to jazz 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.

How to doctor up hot chocolate mix? ›

Ideas to Customize:
  1. ¼ 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.

Why add cornstarch to hot chocolate? ›

The cornstarch version thickened quickly, making the hot chocolate very thick and creamy, and in the end we decided on a combination of cornstarch and confectioner's sugar, for the ideal texture and sweetness.

Does adding salt to hot chocolate make it better? ›

Salt accentuates sweetness and suppresses bitterness, while also functioning as a natural enhancer to bring out the flavor in chocolate. Simply adding a touch of salt in chocolate recipes can make the chocolate taste better by balancing out flavours and bringing out many subtle nuances.

What thickens hot chocolate? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

What do baristas use to make hot chocolate? ›

We use a rich cocoa powder for our hot chocolates. Dark chocolate with a cocoa content of around 70% or higher is ideal for a rich and intense flavour. Milk: Full cream milk works best for a creamy, luxurious hot chocolate.

What is hot chocolate best eaten with? ›

Find out the best food pairings to serve with your Mexican hot chocolate.
  • Warm and Comforting. ...
  • The Best Ingredients. ...
  • Pretzels. ...
  • Churros. ...
  • Roasted Nuts. ...
  • Sweet Breads. ...
  • Popcorn. ...
  • Dried or Fresh Fruits. There's never a bad time for fruit, whether dry or fresh.
Jan 30, 2023

What alcohol tastes good in hot coffee? ›

The 15 Best Spirits to Pair With Coffee
  • 01 of 15. Whiskey. The Spruce Eats. ...
  • 02 of 15. Brandy. LamplighterSDV / Getty Images. ...
  • 03 of 15. Rum. Monty Rakusen / Getty Images. ...
  • 04 of 15. Cream Liqueurs. ...
  • 05 of 15. Amaretto. ...
  • 06 of 15. Hazelnut Liqueur. ...
  • 07 of 15. Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur. ...
  • 08 of 15. Chocolate Liqueur.
Mar 14, 2024

Can chocolate mix with alcohol? ›

The simplified answer is that chocolate contains fat (cocoa butter) and alcohol contains water. The fat in the chocolate and the water in the alcohol repel each other causing the chocolate to seize. When chocolate seizes it becomes grainy and hard - essentially unusable.

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