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How to Spike Your Winter Hot Chocolate

There’s nothing quite like a piping hot mug of hot cocoa while watching the snow fall during the winter season. That is to say unless you’re an adult and would like a little alcohol to spice it up. If you’re looking to make your hot cocoa a little boozier, here are some delicious recipes to try!

Adult Hot Chocolate
If you are looking to keep hot cocoa as classic as possible but with a little kick, an adult hot chocolate might be just what you’re looking for. With rich chocolate, light spices, and the liquor of your choice, here’s how to make a cup for the next time you’re sitting by the fire.

Ingredients:

  • Cocoa powder
  • 2% milk
  • Vanilla extract
  • Chocolate chips
  • Cinnamon to taste
  • 1.5-ounce Baileys, whiskey, or other liquor of your choice

Add milk to a stovetop pot, and warm gradually, bringing it to a simmer. Add in cocoa powder, vanilla extract, cinnamon, chocolate chips, and sugar, and mix in until incorporated. Turn the stove to low and serve in mugs. Add the liquor of your choice to the hot cocoa concoction. The best pairings are often Baileys, whiskey, or rum.

The Peppermint Patty
If you are looking for a candy cane-inspired libation but are still craving that warm chocolatey comfort from hot cocoa, The Peppermint Patty might be just what you need while unwrapping your presents. Here’s how to get started on preparing your cup:

Ingredients:

  • One cup of hot chocolate
  • 1-ounce creme de cacao
  • 1-ounce peppermint schnapps

(Homemade Hot Cocoa Ingredients)

  • 2% or oat milk
  • Cocoa powder
  • Chocolate chips
  • Sugar

Start by brewing your hot chocolate, and while you can use store-bought hot chocolate powder in 2% or oat milk, you’ll get even more flavor by making it from scratch. You can make homemade hot cocoa on the stovetop by simmering the milk, then stirring in cocoa powder, chocolate chips, and sugar until they are dissolved.

Once finished, serve in a mug and add in the peppermint schnapps and creme de cacao for a delicious minty mug of Christmas joy.

Spiked and Spicy Hot Chocolate
If you’re looking to add a little spicy heat to your hot chocolate, this spiked-and-spicy hot chocolate will warm you up in more ways than one! Here’s how to make it:

Ingredients:

  • One cup of milk
  • 2-ounces milk chocolate
  • 1-ounce semi-sweet chocolate
  • One tablespoon of light brown sugar
  • ¾ teaspoon of cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
  • Dash of cayenne pepper
  • Dash of salt
  • 1.5 ounces of dark spiced rum

Once again, you will start by simmering the milk on a stovetop and blending in the chocolate and sugar until melted. Next, add your spices to the pot, whisking them in thoroughly. Once it is fully blended, pour it into a mug and add the dark spiced rum.

Orange Spiked Boozy Hot Chocolate
Two of the titular treats of the winter season are oranges and chocolate, and this delightful concoction blends both in a fruity and rich eruption of flavors. To make a cup, you will need the following:

Ingredients:

  • One cup of milk
  • One tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder
  • One tablespoon of brown sugar
  • One cinnamon stick
  • ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract
  • One tablespoon of Grand Marnier

Bring the milk to a simmer in a stovetop pot, and incorporate in the cocoa powder, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until they’re dissolved. Add the cinnamon stick for additional flavor, pour into a mug, and finally, add the Grand Marnier for that orangey, zesty tang.

Rethink hot chocolate this season with these adult versions that are sure to warm you up. Contact Payless Liquors today for all of your alcohol add-ins for your chocolatey treat.