Boozy Hot Chocolate Guide

Give your hot chocolate a massive upgrade: Add booze. Here’s our boozy hot chocolate guide.

The warmth from hot chocolate and a little spike of spirits is just what you need when cuddling by the fire. But what to spike your hot chocolate with? You could simply pour in some vodka and call it a day, but you’re classier than that, aren’t you? You not only want that extra warmth in the cup, you want to enjoy a flavor explosion with every sip too.

That’s exactly why we’ve put together the ultimate boozy guide for spiked hot chocolate. These hot chocolate and liquor combinations are the best of the best. There’s no better way to warm up from the inside out!

Top Ten Hot Chocolate & Booze Pairings

1. Peppermint

Starting this countdown with the most classic combination of peppermint and chocolate seemed to make the most sense. It doesn’t matter if you’re diving into a cup of white, dark or milk hot chocolate, topping off with a little peppermint schnapps works with any flavor.

2. Coffee

Want a bit of a mocha spin on your hot chocolate tonight? Go for the dark or milk hot chocolate, then add in some coffee liquor like Kahlua. It’s the best cup of boozy hot faux Joe you’ll ever taste.

3. Cinnamon

With all those cinnamon candles burning in every store around the holidays, it’s impossible to resist the call of cinnamon. Grab some Fireball and spike that milk hot chocolate like it’s hot (see what I did there?).

4. Coconut

If you’re a fan of Mounds or Almond Joy, then you need to be adding some coconut rum to you hot chocolate. No matter what type of hot chocolate you’re whipping up, the coconut will turn your mug of chocolate into a liquid candy bar.

5. Peanut Butter

Craving a peanut butter chocolate combination? Who isn’t??? Spike your hot chocolate with some vodka and stir in a tablespoon of peanut butter. You can pair this combination with any type of hot chocolate and you won’t even miss dessert.

6. Hazelnut

Nutella is an addictive spread and I can’t help but figure out a way to get it into my hot chocolate. Use dark or milk hot chocolate and go in with some hazelnut liquor. If you really want to go over-the-top with it, add in a tablespoon of Nutella. Talk about WOW.

7. Caramel

If you’re sensing a theme of turning candy into hot liquid love, you’re correct. As a chocolate covered caramel addict, I love to add a little spiced rum and caramel sauce to my milk hot chocolate.

8. Marshmallow

Yes, you can add marshmallows to your hot chocolate, but wouldn’t it be better if your hot chocolate tasted like a chocolate-covered marshmallow? The answer is yes. Duh. Adding some whipped cream vodka to white hot chocolate makes the perfect marshmallow flavored cocktail.

9. Irish Hot Chocolate

Step aside Irish coffee, there’s a new Irish cocktail in town and it’s got chocolate. Spiking your hot chocolate with some Bailey’s makes a smooth and dreamy cocktail that will quickly outpace that Irish coffee that’s your normal post-dinner go-to.

10. Mexican

Turn up the heat! Spicy cocktails seem to be all the rage right now, so bring the craft spicy cocktail home and into your hot chocolate mug. Top off your dark or milk chocolate with vodka and a pinch of cayenne powder. Or get yourself some Abolut Peppar and go bang with that.

OK, there’s my list for spiked hot chocolate. Now here’s what you need to do. Choose one. Make it. Grab a blanket. Snuggle.

Do it. You know you wanna 😉

This post originally appeared in December 2015 and was revised and republished in December 2022.