Along with polka dot scarves and a steady rotation of slow-cooked dinners, hot chocolate is an absolute necessity at this time of year. Everyone knows how to make a basic hot chocolate, but I’ve taken it a couple of steps further. For this month’s Thursday Tipples I bring you not one, but three tasty and boozed up ways to serve it. The winter blues are totally a real thing – and these drinks will help to brighten your cold nights and warm you up from the inside out.
There is something so comforting about wrapping your cold hands around a warm mug. Out of the three versions, I honestly couldn’t pick a favourite – I really loved all of them for different reasons. Of course the chocolate that you use is really important here because it’s the dominant flavour, so pick one that you love. I also have to thank my sister Beth who helped me make, style and photograph all three recipes in one afternoon – and drink them afterwards ๐ Hope you enjoy them as much as we did!
1. Nutella and Frangelico Boozy Hot Chocolate
This is great for a hot chocolate emergency – if you have no chocolate in the house but can scrape around 2 tablespoons of Nutella from the jar, you’re in luck. The almond milk and Frangelico help to make it a little special.
- 1 cup almond milk
- 1/4 cup cream (optional)
- 2 large tablespoons Nutella
- 30ml Frangelico
- Whipped cream, to serve
2. Birthday Cake Boozy Hot Chocolate
This one is just plain fun. How can you not love anything with sprinkles on top! It’s pretty sweet, as you would expect, but it’s delicious. Kids would love this too – just leave out the booze!
- 1/4 cup milk chocolate, melted
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cream (optional)
- 1/3 cup white chocolate, chopped
- 3 teaspoons dry vanilla cake mix
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 30ml Cake flavoured vodka
- Whipped cream and sprinkles, to serve
Place the milk and cream into a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the white chocolate, cake and vanilla extract until chocolate has melted. Remove from the heat and add the Cake vodka. Spoon a layer of melted milk chocolate into the serving glass. Pour the hot chocolate over the back of a spoon into the glass. Serve topped with whipped cream and sprinkles.
Red Velvet Boozy Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup milk
- 1/4 cup cream
- 1/3 cup milk or dark chocolate
- A few drops red food colouring
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 30ml white creme de cacao
- Cream cheese icing and red velvet cake, to serve