Spiked Hot Chocolate
When you’re a child, hot cocoa is THE winter beverage. Then you grow up and Spiked Hot Chocolate makes it even better! 
When I was growing up, we lived at the top of a hill. Not a giant hill with country vistas, but rather a large neighborhood slope. The kind a mid-century modern could perch comfortably on.
And as the steepest incline on the block, it was the neighborhood sledding spot.
Sledding (actually saucers and mini-boggens in the day) was the kind of activity that made kids love winter. And after the excitement and camaraderie was over and the sky long blackened, there was hot cocoa. Marshmallows. Whipped cream.
It turned me into a hot chocolate lover for life.
Then I grew up, added booze, and it got even better! 
What makes this a winner
Hot cocoa is the ultimate comfort beverage. Warm, sweet and chocolaty, it is beautiful even before you add whipped cream or marshmallows.
Then if you include a shot of something tasty and alcoholic, you get more flavor and more comfort!
And variations are easy. Alcohol comes in many different flavors from peppermint schnapps to Irish Crème. You could even serve a crowd with a Spiked Hot Chocolate Bar and let everyone pick their favorite. Include whipped cream, marshmallows and sprinkles and you are all set! 
Finally it’s an intergenerational treat! My father wasn’t likely to sit down for a cup of cocoa, even homemade. But offer a hot toddy and he was all in. Soon we’d be sitting together as a family, watching snow flock the pines or gazing into a roaring fire.
Step by Step Directions
Mix up your favorite hot chocolate. No favorite? Here is my favorite cocoa from scratch!
Add a shot of an alcohol that goes well with chocolate like Peppermint Schnapps.
Top with your favorite toppings 
Enjoy!
Scratch Hot Cocoa or Mix
I love a good homemade hot cocoa. Mom made the recipe on the Hershey’s can when we were kids and that’s what I’ve taught my daughters! Take a look at my hot cocoa post if you want too give it a try!
But if you’re in a hurry, there are many tasty mixes on the market. Some require the addition of warm milk while for others you just add water.
And once you spike it, the flavor’s going to be over the top either way! 
Variations
While some people will add a straight liquor to their hot chocolate, it’s more common to see something that’s flavored added. Some of my favorites are Bailey’s Irish Cream, Peppermint Schnapps and Frangelico (hazelnut). 
But you can go with fruit flavored liqueurs as well. Do you like chocolates with fruit cream centers? Then consider options like Cointreau (or Grand Marnier) for an orange flavor or Chambord for raspberry!
Adding coffee liqueur like Kahlua or Tia Maria will give you a lovely mocha. You can even go peppermint mocha like the Starbucks favorite! 
And while this recipe is great for the winter holidays, you can switch it up for Valentine’s Day or maybe a Barbie themed party with this Pink Hot Chocolate (that can even be made with natural colorings).
Toppings
Growing up, marshmallows were a must on hot cocoa. But for spiked hot chocolate, I prefer whipped cream. Then I top it with sprinkles that are matched to the booze flavor.
Shaved chocolate or dusted cocoa is perfect for crème de cacao. Crushed peppermint or a drizzle of green cream de menthe is a beautiful match for peppermint schnapps. And cute gingerbread sprinkles or chopped nuts pair well with hazelnut flavored Frangelico. The possibilities are endless! 
Of course if you are going with marshmallows, you don’t need to stick with plain. There are fancier commercial versions available (snowflake shapes anyone?) and my homemade marshmallows in cute shapes like hearts and mittens are fun and easy to make.
Non-alcoholic options
Now if you don’t want alcohol, you don’t need to stick with plain cocoa. A little peppermint or orange extract will mimic their alcoholic counterparts. You can use coffee extract or even coffee to create an alcohol free mocha. No need to miss out!
Creamy Cocoa Recipes
- Bailey’s Hot Chocolate from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
- Cherry Cordial Hot Chocolate from The Freshman Cook
- Frozen Hot Chocolate from Devour Dinner
- Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix from Fresh April Flours
- Hot Brewed Cacao from Palatable Pastime
- Mexicocoa from Family Around the Table
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate from Making Miracles
- Red Velvet Hot Cocoa Bombs from Magical Ingredients
- Single Serve Hazelnut Hot Cocoa from Our Good Life
- Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate from Blogghetti
- Spiked Eggnog White Hot Chocolate from A Kitchen Hoor’s Adventures
- Spiked Hot Chocolate from Art of Natural Living
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Spiked Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 8 ounces hot cocoa your favorite
- 1 1/2 ounces Bailey's or Peppermint Schnapps or other alcohol of your choice (3 Tablespoons)
- whipped cream or marshmallows to top optional but recommended
Instructions
- Mix up 8 ounces of your favorite hot coca
- Add a 1 1/2 ounce shot of your favorite liquor
- Top with whipped cream and sprinkles or marshmallows.
Notes
Nutrition
Updated from Nov 2011.
The best way to enjoy hot cocoa in the winter 🙂
Spiked hot cocoa is my favorite weekend weekend beverage!
Love your recipe! This will be perfect for a party my family is hosting in about a week!
Oh now this looks good!
This winter especially!
I have to admit I’m a fan of hot toddies, but I often skip the alcohol, and just stick with the lemon and honey. But a hot chocolate with a dash of something sounds positively medicinal, oh and tempting:)
Yes, there are lots of nice ways to stay warm! This winter one of my kids has started doing “hot buttered un-rums” She uses my mix (which I will be posting a recipe for before New Years) and leaves out the rum!
I don’t know, alcohol is a cough suppressant, and it helps you get to sleep – sounds no worse than NyQuil to me! 😉 I do love hot cocoa with peppermint schnapps. We called them “ski lifts” in college. I also love a dash of cognac in my hot chocolate. It’s totally decadent, and feels very grown-up.
I will have to try the cognac too!
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Wholesome and delicious. i love hot toddies in the winter when you are cozy indoors and its snowing like the dickens outdoors. Great fall recipes. I’ll be making one on a cold damp, albeit not snowy, but certainly rainy day here in SF.
I totally agree that cold and damp warrants these just as much!
Louise & Yummy–I definitely want to party with you!
Woo hoo! Love hot toddys!
I’ll take one of each to go, Inger!