Recipe

These 4 Boozy Hot Chocolates Will Warm You and Numb You at the Same Time

By Molly Ade at University of Michigan

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, fa la la la la, la la la lame. No offense to holly or anything, but you can't booze it up in any way, and isn't that what the holiday season is all about? Now, hot chocolate, that's something you can put booze in.

Since chocolate goes with just about everything, the possibilities for boozy hot chocolate recipes are endless, which is why I pulled together the ultimate roundup list that's bound to please every chocolate and alcohol lover alike. Whether caramel, mint, pumpkin or Guinness is your thing, at least one of these boozy hot chocolates is for you.

Boozy Caramel Hot Chocolate

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Total Time: 5 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups hot chocolate
  • 4 shots caramel vodka
  • Whipped cream
  • Caramel sauce
  • Sprinkles

Photo by Molly Ade

Step 1

Make two cups of your favorite hot chocolate and add two shots of caramel flavored vodka to each.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 2

Spruce it up with whipped cream, caramel sauce, sprinkles, or whatever toppings you love the most.

GIF by Molly Ade

Peppermint Infused Vodka Hot Chocolate

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 2 hrs
  • Total Time: 2 hrs 5 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups hot chocolate
  • 1 cup mint candies
  • 1/2 cup unflavored vodka
  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate shavings
  • Sprinkles

Photo by Molly Ade

Step 1

Place mint candies in a bag and crush with a rolling pin or with a hammer.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 2

Add the pulverized mints and vodka in a sealable jar and chill in the freezer for two hours.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 3

Strain the vodka through a cheese cloth and make two cups of your favorite hot chocolate. Add two shots of the infused vodka to each, and save the rest for later.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 4

Top off your hot chocolates with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, sprinkles, and maybe even some crushed mint candies.

GIF by Molly Ade

Boozy Pumpkin White Hot Chocolate

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 15 mins
  • Total Time: 20 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
  • 2 1/2 cups milk
  • 1/4 cup pumpkin puree
  • 1/4 tsp pumpkin pie spice
  • 4 shots Kahlua or 2 shots bourbon
  • Whipped cream
  • Caramel sauce

Photo by Molly Ade

Step 1

Melt chocolate chips and 1/2 cup of the milk in a saucepan over low-medium heat for about 3 minutes, whisking frequently throughout.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 2

Add the rest of the milk, the pumpkin, and the pumpkin pie spice, and stir until hot (about 7-10 minutes).

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 3

Pour the hot chocolate in two glasses and add two shots of Kahlua (or a shot of bourbon, if that's more your speed) to each.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 4

Stir the hot chocolate, top with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and more pumpkin pie spice, and never go back to that plain PSL again.

GIF by Molly Ade

Irish Hot Chocolate

  • Prep Time: 5 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 15 mins
  • Servings: 2
Ingredients
  • 2 cups hot chocolate
  • 1 12-ounce bottle Guinness
  • 2 oz Bailey's
  • 2 oz Irish whiskey
  • Whipped cream
  • Sprinkles

Photo by Molly Ade

Step 1

In a medium saucepan, cook Guinness over medium-high heat until reduced to 1/2 cup (about 10 minutes).

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 2

Make two cups of your favorite hot chocolate and add half of the Guinness to each, followed by a shot of Bailey's and of whiskey in each.

GIF by Molly Ade

Step 3

Top off the hot chocolate with whipped cream and sprinkles, and cheers with your favorite Irish friend!

GIF by Molly Ade