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Home - Drinks

Published: Jan 19, 2017 · Modified: Dec 12, 2022 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

Spiked Hot Chocolate

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bourbon hot chocolate logo

Nothing will warm you up quite like this thick and creamy spiked hot chocolate. Top it with a huge dollop of whipped cream and caramel for a truly decadent treat.

hot chocolate being poured in a mug

Why you'll love it

This spiked hot chocolate is a deliciously festive drink that will keep you cozy all winter long.

It is thick, creamy, and ultra chocolaty. The warm caramel undertones of the bourbon only enhances how incredible this drink is.

You don't have to limit yourself to bourbon though, you can use any number of liquors or liqueurs to customize your drink to fit your ideal holiday cozy cocktail.

There is nothing like bourbon spiked hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and salted caramel

Ingredients

The basis of this spiked hot chocolate starts with the perfect thick and creamy homemade hot chocolate which involves a few key ingredients and then finished with your favorite alcohol. Let's quickly review some of the key ingredients.

  • Milk - The key to a good hot chocolate is the kind of milk you use. Milk with a higher fat content makes a better tasting cocoa. You can, however, use a dairy alternative like cashew milk or even water if you want something less decadent.
  • Cocoa powder - You can use either natural or Dutch-processed cocoa powder. They both work perfectly.
  • Sugar - Granulated and brown sugar both works in this recipe. I like using brown sugar when adding alcohol to my hot cocoa though.
  • Chocolate - I recommend using semisweet or a mix of milk and dark chocolate. Just milk chocolate will be too sweet and just dark could be too bitter.
  • Cornstarch - This is an optional ingredient to get the drink thick and creamy. You can omit it, but it will leave you with a thinner beverage. Remember it is very important to add the cornstarch to your milk while it is cold to prevent lumps.
  • Liquor - You can use a lot of different kinds of alcohol. I highly recommend bourbon. You can also use Baileys, vodka, Kahlua, rum, schnapps, and anything that pairs well with chocolate.
There is nothing like bourbon spiked hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and salted caramel

How to make

You can whip up a nice spiked hot chocolate in just minutes.

  1. Mix together the some of the milk, cornstarch, and cocoa powder in a saucepan and stir well.
  2. Heat and add the remaining milk. Add in the sugar, salt, and chocolate. Stir well until the chocolate is melted and fully combined.
  3. Add the vanilla and the alcohol.
Bourbon spiked hot chocolate recipe

Recipe FAQs

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! You can multiply the recipe as much as you need if you want to serve a crowd!

Can I make this in a slow cooker?

You can if you are multiplying the recipe to serve a crowd. Make sure you mix the cornstarch with the milk while it's cold before you turn on the slow cooker. Only add the alcohol to the mugs as you serve them.

Recipe Card

A deliciously rich bourbon spiked hot chocolate

Bourbon Spiked Hot Chocolate

Amanda Powell
A thick, decadent bourbon hot chocolate you will want to make and relax with after work
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 3 minutes mins
Cook Time 4 minutes mins
Total Time 7 minutes mins
Course Hot Chocolate Recipes
Cuisine American
Servings 1 mug of hot chocolate
Calories 358 kcal
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Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup milk cold and divided
  • 1 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 oz semi-sweet chocolate
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 ½ oz bourbon
Get Recipe Ingredients

Instructions
 

  • Add ¼ cup of the milk, cornstarch, and cocoa powder together in a saucepan. Whisk well until thoroughly combined.
  • Heat on medium-high and add the remaining milk, brown sugar, salt, and chocolate. Stir frequently until the mixture is steaming hot and the chocolate is completely melted.
  • Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in the vanilla and bourbon.
  • Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream and caramel.
  • Serve immediately.

Notes

  • Use cold milk to prevent the cornstarch from getting lumpy.
  • Add the bourbon and vanilla only when you remove the hot chocolate from the heat.
  • Top with whipped cream and caramel

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 358kcalCarbohydrates: 61gProtein: 12gFat: 22gSaturated Fat: 13gPolyunsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 20mgSodium: 665mgFiber: 4gSugar: 38g
Keyword bourbon, hot chocolate
Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

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About Amanda Powell

Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Julie says

    May 18, 2017 at 6:45 am

    What kind of bourbon did you use for this recipe? I've been looking for some good caramel bourbon!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      May 18, 2017 at 4:02 pm

      Oh I will need to look that up for you. At the time I was experimenting with lots of different bourbon flavors and don't remember the exact brand.

      Reply
  2. Ida says

    February 20, 2017 at 8:39 am

    Where are those beautiful mugs from? The photos are stunning!

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      February 20, 2017 at 3:24 pm

      Oh thank you!! The mug was from Williams Sonoma, but I don't think they sell it online anymore because I couldn't find it on their site. You can probably still find it (and probably for cheaper) on eBay! Or you can try a local store if there is one near you

      Reply
  3. Stacy says

    February 08, 2017 at 8:50 pm

    The Prepared Pantry makes a wonderful Bourbon Vanilla that would work well for a virgin hot chocolate.

    Reply
  4. Jennifer Essad says

    January 31, 2017 at 12:37 am

    I have a bottle of Sweet Lucy bourbon that will be perfect for your recipe! love a beverage that's dessert.

    Reply
  5. cakespy says

    January 29, 2017 at 11:31 am

    I hate the term "food porn"...not because of what it is but because the phrase just bothers me. But I mean, seriously. This is food porn, and I can say that without being bothered in this case and deliver it as a compliment. I *WANT* this hot chocolate.

    Reply
    • Amanda says

      January 29, 2017 at 12:03 pm

      Haha That made me laugh! What if I told you this hot chocolate wanted you too? 😉 hehe

      Reply
  6. Denisse | Le Petit Eats says

    January 28, 2017 at 11:50 pm

    I saw this on food gawker and had to pop on over and tell you how insanely good it looks! So thick and rich...arrowroot starch is such a good move!

    Reply
  7. Mary Ann | The Beach House Kitchen says

    January 25, 2017 at 11:17 pm

    Count me in for one of these Amanda! Soooo decadent!

    Reply
  8. Meg | Meg is Well says

    January 22, 2017 at 1:20 pm

    This looks so decadent and velvety! Definitely needs to be shares with the world!

    Reply
4.45 from 9 votes (9 ratings without comment)

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Hey, I'm Amanda!

I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a cookbook author, food science nerd, world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese.

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