Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipe
Bourbon Hot Chocolate is a rich, velvety drink made with real cocoa, milk, dark chocolate, and a splash of smooth bourbon. It is perfect for winter evenings, holiday gatherings, or when you want a cozy drink with a grown-up twist.
Unlike overly sweet mixes, this homemade version delivers restaurant-style hot chocolate with complete control over sweetness, alcohol level, and texture.
Here are some more hot chocolate recipes that you may like: Espresso Hot Chocolate, Instant Pot Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, Kahlua Hot Chocolate, Oreo Hot Chocolate, and Baileys Hot Chocolate.
A Quick Look At This Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Serves: 2
- Cuisine: American
- Course: Beverage
- Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
- Skill Level: Beginner
- Equipment: Saucepan, Whisk, Measuring Cups, Mugs
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Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Rich and indulgent: Creamy hot chocolate with a smooth bourbon kick feels instantly luxurious.
- Perfect for cold nights: Warming, cozy, and comforting; ideal for winter evenings.
- Grown-up twist on a classic: Bourbon adds depth without overpowering the chocolate.
- Quick to make: Comes together in just 15 minutes with simple ingredients.
- Easy to customize: Adjust the bourbon, sweetness, or chocolate intensity to taste.
- Great for entertaining: An impressive yet effortless drink for holidays and get-togethers.
Table of Contents
- A Quick Look At This Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- About Bourbon Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients
- How To Make Bourbon Flavored Hot Chocolate
- Pro Tips By Neha
- Variations
- Serving Suggestions
- Storage Suggestions
- Other Hot Beverage Recipes We Recommend
- Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipe Recipe
I absolutely love sipping this bourbon hot chocolate on a cold evening, when all I want is something warm, rich, and comforting. There’s something magical about deep chocolate flavor meeting a splash of smooth bourbon; it instantly feels indulgent and grown-up. You can enjoy it as is, or finish it with a cloud of whipped cream or marshmallows. I always go the extra mile with mine. If you’re making hot chocolate with bourbon, you might as well make it extra cozy and decadent.
About Bourbon Hot Chocolate
Bourbon Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy classic American winter cocktail made by adding a splash of bourbon whiskey to regular hot chocolate.
Bourbon is a type of American whiskey that is barrel-aged and made primarily from corn. It has a spicy, caramelly flavor that goes very well with chocolate.
Bourbon also adds a boozy deliciousness to the hot chocolate and keeps you warm on a chilly evening.
This boozy Hot Chocolate with Bourbon is super comforting, made from scratch, and comes together in under 15 minutes.
Make it for your house parties or holiday dinners, or enjoy it as a dessert after an indulgent meal. Double or triple the recipe for a bigger crowd.
Ingredients
Milk – Use whole milk (full-fat) for a rich, creamy hot chocolate. Having said that, you can make it with low-fat, skim, or plant-based milk too.
Bourbon is a whiskey made primarily from corn. The bourbon flavors meld well with the rich, creamy hot chocolate.
You don’t need an expensive bottle to make this drink, but avoid very smoky or spicy bourbons. Look for mid-range bourbon with notes of vanilla, caramel, and honey, and a smooth finish.
Heavy Cream – Unsweetened heavy cream makes the hot chocolate creamier.
Brown Sugar – Adds a caramelized flavor and sweetness. You can also use other sweeteners, such as sugar, maple syrup, or honey, or sugar-free substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.
Cocoa Powder – I prefer unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder to make this hot chocolate. I like Hershey’s brand, but you can use any brand you want.
Chocolate Chips – I used semi-sweet chocolate chips in this recipe, but to make the drink richer, you can use dark chocolate chips too.
Vanilla Extract – Use a good quality one.
How To Make Bourbon Flavored Hot Chocolate
Step 1: Add the following ingredients to a pan and cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil.
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened heavy cream
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
Step 2: Keep stirring frequently to prevent the milk at the bottom of the pan from scorching.
Step 3: Add 2 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder and ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, and cook until the chocolate chips dissolve and the hot chocolate is thick and creamy. Stir very frequently while cooking.
Step 4: Switch off the heat, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon, and mix well.
Step 5: Pour the hot chocolate into serving mugs.
Note: You can pass the hot chocolate through a fine-mesh strainer to ensure no fat globules reach your mouth.
Step 6: Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips By Neha
- Always add bourbon after switching off the heat
- Use real chocolate, not just cocoa powder
- Don’t overpower. This is hot chocolate first, cocktail second
Variations
Spiced Bourbon Flavored Hot Chocolate – Add a pinch of cinnamon or a tiny pinch of cayenne for warmth.
Peppermint Bourbon Hot Chocolate – Add a few drops of peppermint extract, perfect for Christmas.
Dairy-Free Version – Use oat milk or almond milk and dairy-free dark chocolate.
Non-Alcoholic Version – Omit the bourbon whiskey and follow the rest of the recipe as directed to make non-alcoholic hot chocolate.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this grown-up version of hot chocolate right out of the pan, hot & steamy. Top it with some toppings to make it more indulgent.
It is a great drink to serve on a cold winter evening.
Some of my topping favorites are whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce, and chocolate chips.
Storage Suggestions
Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for 3-4 days. Do not add bourbon if you want to store the hot chocolate.
When serving, reheat the hot chocolate, add bourbon, and top with your favorite toppings.
Other Hot Beverage Recipes We Recommend
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Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk (full-fat milk) (you can also use skim, low-fat, or plant-based milk)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened heavy cream
- ¼ cup brown sugar (or any other sweetener you prefer)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- ¼ cup semi sweet chocolate chips (or dark chocolate chips)
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces bourbon
Instructions
- Add milk, heavy cream, and brown sugar to a pan and cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil.
- Keep stirring frequently to avoid scorching at the bottom of the pan.
- Add cocoa powder, and chocolate chips and cook until the chocolate chips dissolve and the hot chocolate is thick and creamy. Stir very frequently while cooking.
- Switch off the heat, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 oz (60 ml) bourbon, and mix well.
- Pour the hot chocolate into serving mugs.
- Note – You can pass the hot chocolate through a fine-mesh strainer to make sure there are no fat globules coming into your mouth.
- Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkling of ground cinnamon, and serve immediately.
My favorite hot chocolate. You must try it too!