A shot of Irish cream adds creamy sweetness and warmth; bourbon or peppermint schnapps work too. For adults 21+ only, and enjoy responsibly.
Ingredients
You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk
Method
Whisk the cocoa and sugar with a splash of milk into a paste.
Add the remaining milk and chopped chocolate; warm over medium-low until steaming and smooth.
Remove from the heat and stir in the Irish cream.
Pour into a mug and top with whipped cream.
Tips
Add the liqueur off the heat so the alcohol doesn’t cook off unevenly.
For a crowd, set liqueurs on the side at your hot chocolate bar so guests can choose.
Nutrition per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 445
- Protein
- 9g
- Carbs
- 46g
- Sugar
- 40g
- Fiber
- 4g
- Fat
- 24g
- Caffeine
- 30mg
Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.
Variations
Bourbon: Use 1 oz bourbon and a pinch of cinnamon.
Peppermint: Use peppermint schnapps and top with crushed candy cane.
Nutrition at a glance
One serving has about 445 calories, 40 g sugar, 9 g protein and about 30 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.
Storing and reheating
Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.
Choosing your chocolate
For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.
Frequently asked questions
What alcohol goes in hot chocolate?
Irish cream, bourbon, rum, peppermint schnapps, coffee liqueur and orange liqueur are all popular.
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Gear for this recipe
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1.60 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
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