Baileys Hot Chocolate is nothing but your classic hot chocolate spiked with Baileys (Irish cream liqueur). This rich, creamy, and chocolaty drink comes together in just 5 minutes using simple ingredients.
Here are some more hot chocolate recipes that you may like – Espresso Hot Chocolate, Instant Pot Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, and Frozen Hot Chocolate.

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About This Recipe
Baileys Hot Chocolate is nothing but your classic hot chocolate spiked with Baileys. This rich, creamy and comforting hot beverage comes together in just 5 minutes using simple ingredients and is perfect to sip on cold winter days.
Baileys adds a boozy deliciousness to this hot chocolate drink making it a perfect beverage to serve for your winter parties. Don’t forget to top it with your favorite toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, or sprinkles.
You can easily double or triple the recipe if making it for a crowd.
This recipe can be made in a pan over the stovetop, in an instant pot, in a microwave, or in a slow cooker. Choose the method that suits you the best, I am sharing them all in the post below.
Ingredients

Milk – Whole (full fat) milk is the best choice to make hot chocolate. Having said that, you can make it with skim, low fat, or plant-based milk too.
Baileys – This is the star ingredient of this recipe. Baileys is Irish cream liqueur. It is an alcoholic drink flavored with cream, cocoa, and Irish whiskey. It tastes sweet and milky with notes of chocolate and vanilla and has some fruity notes from the Irish whiskey.
Heavy Cream – It makes the drink very creamy.
Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder is my preferred choice to make hot chocolate and it gives the best results. In this recipe, I have used Hershey’s but you can use any brand that you like.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips – This hot chocolate uses semi-sweet chocolate chips, but you can go for dark chocolate chips as well to make it richer and chocolaty.
Brown Sugar – Adds a caramelized flavor along with making it sweet. You can also try other alternatives such as white sugar, maple syrup, honey, or sugar-free substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.
Vanilla Extract – Go for a high-quality one!
How To Make Baileys Hot Chocolate
Pour 4 cups of whole (full-fat) milk, ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder, and ¼ cup heavy cream into a pan and cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil. Keep stirring frequently.

Add ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips and ½ teaspoon vanilla extract and cook until they dissolve and the hot chocolate is creamy.
Tip – If you like your hot chocolate thicker in texture, then stir in 2 tablespoon cornstarch in 4 tablespoon milk and add it to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes.

Remove the pan from heat and stir in 4 fl oz (120 ml) baileys.

Pour in serving mugs and garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles. Serve immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions
To make it in an instant pot, press the SAUTE button. Add milk, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and heavy cream into the inner pot. Mix it well and let it cook until the milk comes to a boil.
Add in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract and cook until the chocolate chips dissolve. Press CANCEL and stir in the Baileys. top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Add cocoa powder and brown sugar to a microwavable cup. Add a little milk and blend it nicely using a whisk. Now add the remaining milk, heavy cream, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract, and microwave until the chocolate melts. Mix well and heat until the milk boils.
Stir in the Baileys and top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Just dump all the ingredients except baileys in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir in the baileys and serve.
Serving Suggestions
This hot chocolate should be served right out of the pan, hot and steamy! Top it with whipped cream, marshmallows, or sprinkles. This boozy beverage is perfect to serve at your winter parties.
Storage Suggestions
Leftovers can be stored for about 3 to 4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator.
While serving, reheat the hot chocolate, top with your favorite toppings, and serve.
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Recipe Card

Baileys Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole (full-fat) milk (you can use skim, low fat, or plant-based milk too)
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 fluid ounce Baileys (120 ml, increase the quantity as per your preference)
Instructions
- Pour milk, brown sugar, cocoa powder, and heavy cream into a pan and cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil. Keep stirring frequently.
- Add chocolate chips and vanilla extract and cook until they dissolve and the hot chocolate is creamy.
- If you like your hot chocolate thicker in texture, then stir in 2 tablespoon cornstarch in 4 tablespoon milk and add it to the pan. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
- Remove the pan from heat and stir in baileys.
- Pour in serving mugs and garnish with whipped cream and sprinkles. Serve immediately.
Notes
Add in the chocolate chips and vanilla extract and cook until the chocolate chips dissolve. Press CANCEL and stir in the Baileys. top with your favorite toppings and serve. Microwave Recipe – Add cocoa powder and brown sugar to a microwavable cup. Add a little milk and blend it nicely using a whisk. Now add the remaining milk, heavy cream, chocolate chips, and vanilla extract, and microwave until the chocolate melts. Mix well and heat until the milk boils. Stir in the Baileys and top with your favorite toppings and serve. Slow Cooker Recipe – Just dump all the ingredients except baileys in a slow cooker and cook on low for 4 hours. Stir in the baileys and serve.
Did you make this recipe? Let me know!