This winter, warm up from the inside out with a mug filled to the brim with boozy spiked hot chocolate and topped with an extra chocolatey dollop spoon. Our easy recipe for adults-only hot cocoa uses spirits like peppermint schnapps, rum, or vodka to transform the classic comfort drink into a decadent cocktail that is sure to take away your holiday season chills.
Looking to make decadent, booze-infused hot chocolate?
Our spiked hot chocolate recipe will become your new favorite winter treat! By adding liquor to classic hot cocoa, we’ve created the ultimate cozy and indulgent drink for adults to sip by the fireplace. Choose your liquor – vodka, rum, Kahlua, whiskey and more all lend delicious depth and just the right amount of decadence.
Our easy from-scratch hot chocolate provides the perfect base, topped with whipped cream and your choice of flavored liqueur for a soothing, creamy, and warming beverage that also packs a punch. We include guidance on getting the perfect rich chocolate flavor and expert tips on incorporating different liquors so your spiked hot chocolate turns out silky-smooth and delicious. One mugful and you’ll be hooked – this is hot chocolate like you’ve never tasted before!
Why you’ll love this spiked hot cocoa
The cold weather is here, which means it’s time to warm up with a decadent mug of hot chocolate. But why settle for plain when you can spike it? This boozy hot chocolate recipe takes the classic winter drink up a notch by adding your choice of liquor.
The key is to use high-quality dark chocolate and mix it with simple ingredients like hot milk and your spirit of choice, like peppermint schnapps, spiced rum, hazelnut liqueur, or even good old vodka or bourbon. Top each mug with a big dollop of freshly whipped cream and then comes the fun part – add a dollop spoon. The dollop spoon has whipped cream and your favorite toppings that will melt into the hot cocktail as you drink. It’s mini marshmallows that got a glow up.
This makes a great after-dinner treat or you can enjoy it while watching your favorite holiday movies. The recipe scales up nicely when you have guests over and want to serve a signature cocktail. Adults will love sipping on the spiked version but if you need one for the kiddos, just leave out the alcohol and try peppermint hot chocolate with toppings like crushed peppermint candies or chocolate shavings. It makes for a special treat they will love too.
The possibilities are endless when you make hot chocolate an adult beverage. Try out different liqueurs and spirits, or even make it a coffee cocktail and get creative with the toppings. This is one cocktail recipe that will have everyone asking for seconds!
Ingredients:
Skip the hot cocoa mix, the best thing about this rich and creamy mug of spiked hot chocolate is that it’s made from scratch!
For the spiked hot chocolate
- cornstarch
- whole milk – divided
- dark chocolate – we splurge on high-quality dark chocolate for this
- honey
- vanilla
- Any of your favorite liquors – Southern Comfort, Baileys, pumpkin liquor, vodka, Kahlua or peppermint schnapps
- Pinch of salt
Where we are a sucker for almond milk in our coffee, we skip the oat milk or alternative kinds of milk and stick to whole milk for good hot chocolate. It helps make this extra creamy and rich hot chocolate. If you have a lactose intolerance, use your favorite alternative.
For the Whipped Dollops
- Frozen whipped topping – thawed
- Toppings – candied ginger, peppermint sprinkles, Andes mint chips, mini chocolate chips
How to Make Spiked Hot Chocolate
Make the Homemade Spiked Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Whisk together cornstarch and ½ cup milk until smooth.
- Cook remaining milk in a large saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan, about 4 minutes. Be careful not to boil.
- Whisk in chocolate, honey, vanilla, liquor, and salt until blended and smooth.
- Whisk in the cornstarch mixture.
- Bring the milk mixture to a boil, whisking continuously.
- Remove from heat. Let cool slightly before serving your festive cocktail in mugs with whipped dollops or mini marshmallows.
For the whipped hot chocolate spoons
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place 8 spoons on pan. Freeze 15 minutes.
- Spoon whipped topping into a zip-lock bag and do not seal. Using scissors, cut a corner off, about ½ inch. Twist the bag and pipe dollops onto the spoons.
- Stick in the freezer 5 minutes to firm up.
- Remove from freezer and sprinkle dollops with about 1 ½ teaspoons of desired topping. Place back in the freezer for another 45 minutes before serving.
- These can be covered and kept frozen for up to 2 days.
Want to make a big batch for a party? Triple the recipe and keep it heated in a slow cooker set to low heat with the toppings bar next to it so your guests can make their own cozy winter drink.
Spiked Hot Chocolate with Whipped Hot Chocolate Spoons
AmericanIngredients
For the spiked hot chocolate
- 2 teaspoon cornstarch
- 4 cups milk - divided
- 7 oz dark chocolate - chopped
- ⅓ cup honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- ½ cup Southern Comfort - Bailey’s, pumpkin liquor or peppermint schnapps
- Pinch of salt
For the Whipped Dollops
- 1 cup frozen whipped topping - thawed
- ¼ cup desired toppings - candied ginger, peppermint sprinkles, Andes mint chips, mini chocolate chips
Instructions
Make the Spiked Hot Chocolate
- Whisk together cornstarch and ½ cup milk until smooth.
- Cook remaining milk in a large, non-aluminium saucepan over medium heat until bubbles appear around the edge of the saucepan, about 4 minutes. Be careful not to boil.
- Whisk in chocolate, honey, vanilla, liquor, and salt until blended and smooth.
- Whisk in cornstarch mixture.
- Bring milk mixture to a boil, whisking continuously.
- Remove from heat. Let cool slightly before serving in mugs with whipped dollops or mini marshmallows.
For the whipped hot chocolate spoons
- Line a baking pan with parchment paper. Place 8 spoons on pan. Freeze 15 minutes.
- Spoon whipped topping into a zip-lock bag and do not seal. Using scissors, cut a corner off, about ½ inch. Twist the bag and pipe dollops onto the spoons. Stick in freezer 5 minutes to firm up.
- Remove from freezer and sprinkle dollops with about 1 ½ teaspoon desired topping. Place back in the freezer for another 45 minutes before serving.
- These can be covered and kept frozen up to 2 days.
Nutrition
Nutritional informations provided as a courtesy and is only an approximatation. Values will changes based on ingredients used.
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Aww yeah. This is my kind of drink!
Oh hey! Have a cup of that lovely chocolate you’d just made. That should make you happier. Chocolate is feel good food! You don’t want a lump of coal in your stocking this year. Shhh … actually, I haven’t got into the mood til lately, so, yeah, like you, no presents bought, no tree, no menu yet. Getting there … sloooowwly.
I’ll have to make this, but make the pg version so my lil guy can have some. Looks unbelievably sinful!
Wow, that looks amazingly thick and dark 🙂 Just my kind of chocolate.
I’m sorry you’re not in prime Christmas condition – I usually am not until much closer to the date, but I hope you feel better soon!
I want to have hot chocolate at your house. Always.
Yes please!! I am sorry you are missing your jingle this year. Maybe you will find it in the coming weeks. Have you ever seen the Target lady commercials? Whenever I am feeling a little like I am losing my Christmas spirit I look her up. Check it out: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mhrsCFAmYs&feature=related
This looks AWESOME! I understand the crankiness, I get like that too sometimes! At least you have this marvelous drink to cheer you up …
Hope you are getting Christmas spirit soon – it’s never been late. This is such a fancy hot chocolate treat. 🙂
I feel the exact same way! I don’t know what it is, but I just can’t get in the Christmas mood this year. Bleh. But, can I just say that these are freaking rediculous!! Must eat five of them before the New Year’s Resoultions kick in 🙂 LOL!
another set of knives. haha. story of my life. what a thick and yummy drink!
I’m not too much in the Christmas Spirit either it’s weird. But I’m trying to force myself to get there lol how terrible is that? When I go to my mom and dads on Wednesday and put up their tree i think it will really feel like Christmas then. I love hot cocoa and with booze in it even better.
Oh I’d love a cup of hot chocolate right now! Hope you get your christmas mojo soon, and now that you mentioned it, I do need new knives…
If anything will bring you out of your funk, this marvelous hot chocolate will. I just have WAY too much to do…and it takes the fun out of the season. I’m sure I’ll be in the mood soon enough 🙂 Hope you will, too!!! xo
These looks sooo good, Kita! Think anyone would notice if I were to make the dollops, eat them all then just leave the spoons? I could tell them I was being nice and setting out spoons for them to stir the chocolate with.
As for whining, we all do it. That’s what we’re all here for… so you have people to vent to. 🙂
*hugs*
Your crankiness made me laugh 🙂 Sorry but it’s true. And what’s with people waiting for the closest spot when there’s plenty further back. Wouldn’t it do most people good to walk a little bit more? btw I now want hot chocolate. :p
I’ve felt like ranting lately too. Must be something in the air. For us life is just messing with my Christmas mojo. Usually I am chipper as a…well, chipmunk I suppose. This year, not so much. I could happily tie the store elves shoelaces together and not even feel bad. Hope you snap out of it soon, me as well. As for the recipe well I am beyond words on this one. It’s gorgeous. What I really want to know is how many times did you have to refill the spoons cuz you kept eating the dollops before shooting the pic? It’ll just be between you and me, no one else will know. Lol!
I love this idea! SUPER creative! I MERRY CHRISTMAS KITA!! Xo 🙂
The snack looks delicious and I’m sorry you had a bad day. Merry Christmas my friend and here’s hoping tomorrow is better! Hugs!
I hope the rest of the days leading up to Christmas shape up for you. Some people can really suck the fun out of it though when you are out and about this time of year.
Loving the hot chocolate…its just how I like it, rich, thick and lots and lots of chocolate. Yummy!
I have no words. Except that I wish we lived closer…
Ah this looks so good. Bet it can get anyone out of a bah humbug moment!
Such a great idea, I will have to definitely try these for my next get together.
Just came across your site via link from HuffPost. The recipe looks fab and I’ll try it on Vday regardless of 65 degree temp cuz it sounds delish! Your ‘tude, however, was amazing to read. I do hope your holiday improved dramatically but I enjoyed your brilliant, albeit cutthroat, honesty. Not every holiday can be Norman Rockwell, and that’s ok too. REFRESHING!