Spiked hot chocolate is a rich homemade hot chocolate made from scratch with creamy milk, rich chocolate, walnut liqueur, and topped with homemade whipped cream.

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Table of Contents

Spiked Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make Spiked Hot Chocolate
How to Serve Spiked Hot Chocolate
Storage
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE
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Spiked hot chocolate is the perfect cozy winter drink for adults to enjoy on a chilly night. You can count on this seasonal drink to raise holiday spirits. Rich chocolate, creamy milk, and walnut liqueur meld together for a delicious boozy drink that will have you feeling warm and fuzzy.

Craving more hot chocolate ideas? Try this Whipped Hot Chocolate, Frozen Hot Chocolate, or Mint Hot Chocolate.

Spiked Hot Chocolate Ingredients

You will need:

Hot Chocolate

2 cups whole milk
½ teaspoon cornstarch
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
¼ cup white chocolate chips
2 ounces walnut liqueur

Whipped Cream

⅓ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons walnut liqueur
½ teaspoon confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon maple syrup

Substitutions and Additions

DRIZZLE: Add a drizzle of dark chocolate, white chocolate, or caramel sauce to the top of your adult hot chocolate drink before serving.

MARSHMALLOWS: Add a few mini marshmallows to each glass instead of the homemade whipped cream.

CINNAMON: Add a dash of cinnamon to the creamy hot chocolate mix for another layer of flavor.

VANILLA EXTRACT: Add a few drops of vanilla extract to your drink recipe.

NUTMEG: You could add a pinch of nutmeg to this homemade spiked hot chocolate recipe as well.

TOPPINGS: Everything is better with a little extra chocolate! Add dark chocolate or white chocolate shavings on top of your mug of spiked hot chocolate before serving. You could also sprinkle crushed candy canes on top of the whipped cream for a minty twist.

LIQUEUR: We have recommended walnut liqueur here, but there are lots of options you could use. Try other flavored liqueurs, or what about peppermint schnapps for another great option? Irish cream is also a favorite alcohol to add to warm drinks.

DAIRY-FREE: Make your warm drink completely dairy-free using coconut milk, or almond milk.

How to Make Spiked Hot Chocolate

PRO TIP: As always, you can make this a non-alcoholic version by omitting the liqueur. The kiddies and grown-ups alike will have fun with this holiday drink.

STEP ONE: In a medium saucepan, combine milk and cornstarch. Whisk until smooth.

STEP TWO: Heat milk on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil.

STEP THREE: Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips.

STEP FOUR: Add the walnut liqueur.

PRO TIP: Chilling the bowl and beaters before adding the ingredients makes it easier to make the whipped cream since cream whips best when cold.

STEP FIVE: In a small bowl, mix the heavy cream, walnut liqueur, confectioners’ sugar, and maple syrup. Whip until stiff peaks form.

STEP SIX: Top with maple whipped cream or marshmallows.

How to Serve Spiked Hot Chocolate

Adult hot chocolate lovers are really going to enjoy this alcoholic hot chocolate. It is loaded with holiday spirit and perfect for cold winter nights. This spiked hot chocolate is the perfect choice to enjoy curled up on the couch in pajamas or as an after-dinner drink with friends. You can even pair it with a Christmas dessert recipe for an extra burst of sweetness.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER: This recipe needs to be consumed right away, and none of the parts can be prepared ahead of time. We recommend making this drink on demand.

Spiked hot chocolate is a creamy homemade hot chocolate that will become a favorite drink for years to come. Made from scratch with creamy milk, rich chocolate, and walnut liqueur, and topped with homemade whipped cream, this boozy hot chocolate is utterly irresistible. The smooth, rich, irresistible flavor of this easy spiked hot chocolate is perfect for raising holiday spirits.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

This festive cocktail recipe can’t really be made in advance. It’s a quick recipe, and it won’t take you long to whip up a batch just before you are ready to serve it.

Can I use non-dairy milk in this boozy hot cocoa recipe?

This easy hot chocolate recipe would be yummy with non-dairy options such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this homemade hot chocolate recipe?

You can omit the liqueur, and you will have the perfect beverage to share with the entire family.

MORE RECIPES YOU’LL LOVE

Spiked Hot Chocolate

Spiked hot chocolate is a rich homemade hot chocolate made from scratch with creamy milk, rich chocolate, walnut liqueur, and topped with homemade whipped cream.

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Prep Time 5

Cook Time 10

Total Time 15

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

Hot Chocolate

2 cups whole milk
½ teaspoon cornstarch
⅓ cup dark chocolate chips
¼ cup white chocolate chips
2 ounces walnut liqueur

Whipped Cream

⅓ cup heavy cream
2 tablespoons walnut liqueur
½ teaspoon confectioners’ sugar
½ teaspoon maple syrup

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, combine milk and cornstarch. Whisk until smooth.
Heat milk on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, until it begins to boil.
Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate chips.
Add the walnut liqueur.
In a small bowl, mix the heavy cream, walnut liqueur, confectioners' sugar, and maple syrup. Whip until stiff peaks form.
Top with maple whipped cream or marshmallows.

Notes

As always, you can make this a non-alcoholic version by omitting the liqueur.

The kiddies and grown-ups alike will have fun with this holiday drink.

Chilling the bowl and beaters before adding the ingredients makes it easier to make the whipped cream since cream whips best when cold.