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This spiked hot chocolate recipe is rich and creamy, made with real cocoa and chocolate! Make it rum, bourbon, or liqueurs for the ideal warming winter cocktail.
Want a cozy winter drink that warms you from the inside out? There’s nothing better at taking the chill off than a homemade spiked hot chocolate recipe! This mug of liquid cocoa is rich and creamy, with an intense depth in chocolate flavor.
I’ve been perfecting this recipe for years, and I’ve found that a hint of aged rum or bourbon gives it a warming complexity with notes of vanilla and oak. You can also add creme de menthe for a smooth peppermint flavor. Take one sip and I think you’ll agree: this adult version of hot chocolate makes one irresistible hot drink!
Ingredients you’ll need for spiked hot chocolate
Spiked hot chocolate is regular hot chocolate that’s spiked with alcohol. Common types of alcohol include bourbon, rum, Baileys, or Kahlua, but really anything goes. You can use a purchased hot cocoa mix, but in my opinion the best way to make this drink is with homemade hot chocolate. The ingredients you’ll need are:
- Cocoa powder: Use high-quality unsweetened cocoa for the best chocolate flavor.
- Milk: I like to use 2% milk for the right balance of richness and drinkability. Whole milk makes it extra creamy, while oat milk is my preferred dairy-free option since it has natural smooth texture.
- Sugar: Regular granulated sugar dissolves easily in the hot milk. You can also substitute pure maple syrup.
- Chocolate chips: Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips melt beautifully into the hot milk.
- Vanilla extract and cinnamon: These flavor enhancers add depth.
- Liquor: This is where it gets fun: see my notes below for which spirits work best!
Best liquors for spiking
What’s the best to spike hot chocolate with? Don’t worry: I ran a few taste tests for you! Here are my favorite liquors for spiked hot chocolate and some tasting notes, in order of preference:
- Aged or dark rum: My favorite! It adds nuance with vanilla and oak notes.
- Bourbon: Another great choice: the sip is deliciously cozy with a whiskey finish.
- Creme de menthe or peppermint schnapps: Perfectly minty and smooth! I used creme de menthe but peppermint schnapps works if you have it, though it has a stronger flavor. See my Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate recipe.
- Baileys: Creamy, bright, almost fruity, and sweet. See my Baileys Hot Chocolate recipe.
- Kahlua: Smooth and subtle, and very sweet. See my Kahlua Hot Chocolate recipe.
A few other liquor ideas
There are lots of other types of you can use to make this spiked hot chocolate recipe! I have not tested these personally, but feel free get creative with these more unique choices and let me know what you think:
- Galliano: This vanilla liqueur would add intense vanilla notes
- Creme de cacao: Add even more chocolaty flavor with this cocoa liqueur
- Cointreau or Triple Sec: Add a hint of citrus (consider adding half the specified amount, then increase to taste)
- Tia Maria: This coffee liqueur is a more sophisticated Kahlua and could add more intense coffee notes
Pro tips for spiked hot chocolate
Once you’ve determined your liquor, making this spiked hot chocolate recipe is truly easy! Whisk together the ingredients over the stovetop, then add the alcohol and you’re done. Here are a few tips:
- Consider multiplying the recipe for a crowd. The recipe below makes 2 servings, so multiply as desired.
- Add alcohol to the batch, or per serving. The quantities below state the amount of liquor to add for the 2 servings. You can also simply add a shot of 1 ounce of alcohol per 1 cup hot chocolate! This way, people can spike their drink with the liquor of their choosing.
- Top with whipped cream. Sure you can drink it straight, but it’s always better with homemade whipped cream.
Dietary notes
This spiked hot chocolate recipe is vegetarian. For dairy-free, use oat milk, dark chocolate, and vegan whipped cream.
Spiked Hot Chocolate
This spiked hot chocolate recipe is rich and creamy: ideal for taking the chill off! Make it with rum, bourbon, and more.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips*
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) aged or dark rum, bourbon, or Baileys Irish Cream or 1.5 ounces (3 tablespoons) Creme de Menthe or peppermint schnapps*
Instructions
- Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and ¼ cup of the milk and whisk until the cocoa powder is mostly integrated. Whisk in the remaining milk until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat until the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Do not boil.
- Stir in the alcohol. Serve immediately, garnished with whipped cream or marshmallows.
Notes
**Check the schnapps bottle before you make this drink! If using 100 proof (50% ABV) schnapps, just add a drizzle to taste. You can also use Kahlua, but use 1.5 ounces and decrease the sugar to 2 tablespoons.
More hot alcoholic drinks
When winter rolls around, warm cocktails are where it’s at! Here are some of our favorite hot alcoholic drinks for the season:
- Try brilliant and beautiful mulled wine, or go for a mug of Hot Spiked Cider.
- Try a Peppermint Patty or more Adult Hot Chocolate Recipes.
- Grab a Hot Buttered Rum.
- Make a classic Irish Coffee or Amaretto Coffee.
This was so helpful. We tried some taste tests of our own and you are so right about the bourbon! Our favorite version ended up as hot chocolate, teaspoon of honey, bourbon, whipped cream, so good!
The best way to drink hot chocolate! We absolutely loved it.
Let us know if you have any questions!
Looking forward to winter Magic! Thank you!