Kahlua Hot Chocolate Recipe
Kahlua Hot Chocolate is a cozy, winter-perfect hot chocolate infused with the deep, coffee-rich flavor of Kahlua. This rich and creamy drink comes together in under 15 minutes using simple ingredients. Make it using my easy recipe.
Here are more hot chocolate recipes that you may like: Espresso Hot Chocolate, Instant Pot Hot Chocolate, Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, Oreo Hot Chocolate, and Bourbon Hot Chocolate.
A Quick Look At This Kahlua Hot Chocolate Recipe
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 12 minutes
Serves: 2
Cuisine: American / Fusion
Course: Beverage / Dessert Drink
Diet: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free
Skill Level: Beginner
Equipment: Saucepan, Whisk, Mugs
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Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- Luxuriously rich and creamy with a cozy kick from Kahlua.
- Comes together in under 15 minutes — perfect for winter nights.
- Uses simple pantry staples yet tastes café-style and indulgent.
- Easy to customize with toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, or chocolate shavings.
- Great as a festive drink for holidays, gatherings, or date nights at home.
Table of Contents
- A Quick Look At This Kahlua Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Why You’ll Love This Family Favorite Recipe!
- About Kahlua Hot Chocolate
- Ingredients
- How To Make Kahlua Flavored Hot Chocolate
- Pro Tips By Neha
- Variations
- Kahlua Hot Chocolate FAQs
- Serving Suggestions
- Other Hot Beverage Recipes We Recommend
- Kahlua Hot Chocolate Recipe Recipe
About Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Kahlua Hot Chocolate is just classic hot chocolate infused with Kahlua (a coffee-flavored liquor). It has deep chocolate and vanilla notes, with a Kahlua rum-and-caramel finish. This drink will warm you up with each sip.
This Adult-Only drink is comforting, easy to make, and comes together in under 15 minutes from scratch.
I prefer making hot chocolate from scratch rather than using a boxed mix, since you can easily control the sweetness and chocolate intensity.
You can whip up this rich and creamy drink to sip during cozy winter nights or evenings, or enjoy it as a decadent dessert with whipped cream or ice cream.
This boozy hot chocolate can be made on a stovetop, in an Instant Pot, or in a slow cooker. You can choose any method that you prefer.
My hot chocolate with Kahlua recipe serves 2 people, but you can double or triple it for a larger crowd.
Ingredients
Milk – Whole milk (full-fat milk) is best for making rich, creamy hot chocolate. Having said that, you can also make it with skim, low-fat, or plant-based milk, too.
Kahlua – This is the star ingredient of this coffee hot chocolate recipe. Kahlua coffee liqueur has dark rum, sugar, and arabica coffee. It is dark brown and tastes like sweetened alcoholic coffee.
Heavy Cream – It makes the drink very creamy. I used unsweetened heavy cream.
You can also use sweetened heavy cream instead of unsweetened. If using sweetened cream, reduce the sugar in the recipe.
Brown Sugar – Adds a caramelized flavor and sweetness to the drink. You can substitute it with white sugar, maple syrup, honey, or sugar-free substitutes like stevia or monk fruit.
Cocoa Powder – Unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder is my preferred choice for making hot chocolate, as it gives the best results. I have used Hershey’s in this recipe, but you can use any brand you like.
Chocolate Chips – I prefer dark chocolate chips, but you can use semi-sweet chocolate chips too.
Vanilla Extract – Use a good-quality one.
How To Make Kahlua Flavored Hot Chocolate
Step 1: Add the following ingredients to a pan and mix well until combined.
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened heavy cream
- ¼ cup of brown sugar
- 2 tablespoon unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder
Step 2: Cook over medium heat until the milk comes to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching at the bottom of the pan.
Step 3: Once the milk comes to a boil, add ¼ cup dark chocolate chips and cook until the chocolate dissolves and the hot chocolate is thick and creamy. Stir continuously while cooking.
Step 4: Switch off the heat, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 oz (60 ml) Kahlua, and mix well.
Step 5: Pour the hot chocolate into serving mugs.
Note: You can strain the hot chocolate through a fine-mesh strainer if some fat globules have risen to the top.
Step 6: Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkling of instant coffee powder or sprinkles, and serve immediately.
Pro Tips By Neha
Kahlua is very sweet on its own. So adjust the sugar in the drink as per your taste.
Always add Kahlua once you’ve switched off the heat; otherwise, the alcohol will evaporate.
To make this drink vegan, replace dairy milk with plant-based milk like oat milk, coconut milk, cashew milk, or almond milk. Use dairy-free chocolate chips.
Variations
If you like a stronger coffee flavor, then add ½ teaspoon of instant coffee powder.
Replace Kahlúa with Baileys for an Irish cream style.
Add cinnamon or chili powder for a spicy Mexican hot chocolate note.
Make it non-alcoholic by skipping Kahlúa and adding coffee syrup.
Add 1 tablespoon caramel sauce and top with sea salt to make a salted caramel variation.
Use white chocolate instead of cocoa for a creamy vanilla profile.
Kahlua Hot Chocolate FAQs
Add all the ingredients (except vanilla extract and Kahlua) to an instant pot and mix well to combine. Secure the lid and press PRESSURE COOK. Set the timer to 2 minutes at high pressure. When the timer goes off, let the pressure release naturally. Then open the lid,
Add all the ingredients (except vanilla extract and Kahlua) to a slow cooker and mix well. Cook on low for 2 hours, stirring a few times in between. Stir in vanilla extract and Kahlua and serve.
Combine the dry ingredients and transfer them to a cute jar with a ribbon. In another small glass bottle, fill up the Kahlua. Your easy, homemade DIY holiday gift is ready.
Yes, you can make Kahlúa hot chocolate using a hot chocolate mix. Prepare the hot chocolate according to the package instructions, then add a shot or two of Kahlúa. Stir well and enjoy!
Leftover hot chocolate can be stored for 3-4 days in a covered container in the refrigerator. Do not add Kahlua if you intend to store it.
Reheat the hot chocolate on the stovetop or in the microwave, add Kahlua, then top with your favorite toppings and serve.
Serving Suggestions
This hot chocolate can be served right out of the pan, hot & steamy. Top it with whipped cream, ice cream, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, coffee powder, or sprinkles.
Serve candy canes or cinnamon sticks to stir the drink.
You can also drizzle chocolate sauce (chocolate syrup) or caramel sauce on top.
This cozy cup of hot chocolate is also a great spiked beverage for winter house parties or holiday evenings.
Other Hot Beverage Recipes We Recommend
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Kahlua 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 sweetner)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened Dutch-processed cocoa powder
- ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ounces Kahlua (60 ml)
Instructions
- Add milk, heavy cream, brown sugar, and cocoa powder to a pan and mix well until combined.
- Cook on medium heat until the milk comes to a boil, stirring frequently to prevent scorching at the bottom of the pan.
- Once the milk comes to a boil, add chocolate chips and cook until they dissolve and the hot chocolate is thick and creamy. Stir continuously while cooking.
- Switch off the heat, add ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 oz (60 ml) Kahlua, and mix well.
- Pour the hot chocolate into serving mugs.
- Note – You can strain the hot chocolate through a fine mesh strainer if there are some fat globules on top.
- Garnish with whipped cream, marshmallows, and a sprinkling of instant coffee powder or sprinkles, and serve immediately.
Fabulous drink for winters!