Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (2024)

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The cold, blustery days of winter call for a great spiked hot chocolate recipe. Flavored with Amaretto Liquor for a subtle almond flavor and rich chocolate, this Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the most decadently delicious drink perfect on a cold night!

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Now that its January, and the dead of winter has finally setting in, I always crave a delicious hot cup of cocoa, especially in the evening. This Amaretto Hot Chocolate is my new favorite way to indulge in a decadent, delicious hot beverage!

Making homemade hot chocolate is actually very simple. Just a few ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge and freezer are all you need to make this creamy, decadent spiked hot chocolate recipe!

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Here’s everything you need to know about making this delicious spiked hot chocolate recipe!

What do I need to make spiked hot chocolate?

To make spiked hot chocolate from scratch you’ll need just a few ingredients; whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate, sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla, and Amaretto liqueur, as well as your choice of toppings.

I went with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and almonds, which compliment the amaretto (almond) liqueur perfectly!

Quick-reference shopping list for making homemade hot chocolate:

  • Whole Milk – you can also use skim, 2% or the plant-based milk of your choice. Whole milk will give you the creamiest hot chocolate.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – you can also use milk or dark chocolate
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch/Grind of salt – this is actually vital for flavor. I don’t recommend leaving out the salt.
  • Amaretto Liqueur – I recommend using De Amore Amaretto or Disaronno Originale.
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (3)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (4)

The Easy steps to making homemade Amaretto Hot Chocolate:

The recipe for this hot cocoa is very simple, and WAY better than any store-bought, powdered mix. It’s made with whole milk, along with semi-sweet chocolate making a very rich, creamy texture.

You’ll start by adding the chocolate chips, sugar, salt and milk to a saucepan. Heat on medium low.

Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (5)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (6)

Tips to making the BEST homemade hot chocolate:

  • Heat the ingredients over medium-low heat. Anything hotter and the milk will scorch/burn to the bottom of the pan and the chocolate chips will not melt properly.
  • Use a whisk. This helps integrate all of the ingredients. The sugar will need to dissolve and the chocolate will need to melt – using a whisk will help make the hot chocolate extra creamy and frothy.
  • Use the best quality chocolate you can afford. This will make a big difference in flavor and creaminess!
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (7)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (8)

What should I spike my hot chocolate with?

This recipe uses Amaretto for the liqueur, however, there are many other options to making spiked hot chocolate recipe. Some other options are Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, Rum Chata or Spiced Rum. Peppermint Schnapps is also a great option if you’re looking to do a minty hot chocolate.

FAQ’s for making hot chocolate:

What does amaretto hot chocolate taste like?

Amaretto has a sweet almond flavor with a hint of cherry Amaretto liqueur pairs perfectly with hot chocolate.

How do you make hot chocolate more flavorful?

You can make hot chocolate more flavorful by adding your favorite liqueurs or adding non-alcoholic flavor extracts, like peppermint or coconut. You can also add toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, whipped topping, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or Nutella.

How do you upgrade instant hot chocolate?

Start by making instant hot chocolate with whole milk instead of water. This will make it much creamier! You can also add to the flavor by adding flavor extracts, like peppermint or coconut (1/8 tsp./per cup). Another way to upgrade instant hot chocolate is to add your favorite liqueur, like amaretto, Rum Chata, Whipped cream vodka, Bailey’s, Caramel liqueur or peppermint schnapps.

If you love this Amaretto Hot Chocolate, the check out some of my other similar co*cktails and drinks:

  • Baileys Hot Chocolate
  • Tiramisu co*cktail
  • Baileys Espresso Martini
  • Chocolate Cake Martini
  • Creamy Hot Buttered Rum
  • Spiked Eggnog
  • Fireball Apple Cider Hot Toddy
  • Hot Mulled Apple Cider
  • Nutella Hot Chocolate
  • Spiked White Hot Chocolate
  • Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
  • Mint Hot Chocolate
  • Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate at Real Housemoms

I’ve topped my hot chocolate with whipped cream, slivered almonds (wonderful!!!), and some chocolate shavings. Try my Homemade Cool Whip, which is ultra creamy, velvety and fantastic on drinks!

However, if you’re more of a marshmallow person, add those on top instead of the whipped cream. They’ll be just as fantastic!

Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (10)

Amaretto Hot Chocolate

Yield: 1 drink

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 10 minutes

Hot chocolate just got a major upgrade! This rich, cream homemade Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a cold night. Made with just a few ingredients, this spiked hot chocolate recipe is amazing!

Ingredients

  • 1 c. whole milk
  • 3 Tbsp. semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 Tbsp. sugar
  • pinch/grind of salt
  • 1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
  • 1 oz. shot, Amaretto liqueur

Instructions

  1. To a medium sauce pan, add the chocolate chips, sugar, salt and milk. Heat over medium-low heat. Using a whisk, stir often to help the sugar dissolve.
  2. Continue whisking until the chocolate melts completely and the mixture comes to a low simmer. NOTE: Do NOT let it rapidly boil, as the milk and chocolate will burn to the bottom of the pan. Once liquid comes to a low simmer, promptly remove from heat. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.
  3. Ladle or pour hot chocolate into a mug and top with the amaretto liqueur. Stir to combine and top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings, like my Homemade Cool Whip. Enjoy right away while hot.

Notes

Milk options: this recipe will work with any milk of your choice. Whole milk will render the creamiest hot chocolate.

Toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream or Homemade Cool Whip are all great choices. I also added chocolate shaving and sliced almonds to go with the flavors.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1 servingServing Size: 10 oz.
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 521Total Fat: 20gCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 8g

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Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (2024)

FAQs

What's the best alcohol to put in hot chocolate? ›

Adding a splash of alcohol like rum, brandy, or whisky can transform your hot chocolate into a truly indulgent and sophisticated drink.

Which rum is best for hot chocolate? ›

Issac: A dark rum would go well with hot chocolate. As for recommendations for someone who is new to rums, Don Q Anejo wins hands down as the best buy considering flavor and price.

How to make a good cup of instant hot chocolate? ›

  1. Pop 3 heaped tsp of hot chocolate into a mug.
  2. Heat approximately 200ml of your chosen dairy or plant-based milk – if you're feeling particularly indulgent, use a milk frother first.
  3. Pour into the mug and stir thoroughly (or whisk) with the powder until you have a smooth mixture.

How do you doctor up powdered hot chocolate? ›

Other Ways to Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate:
  1. caramel.
  2. a scoop of ice cream.
  3. cinnamon, nutmeg or vanilla extract.
  4. orange zest.
  5. a tablespoon of fresh-brewed espresso or coffee.
  6. peppermint stick.
  7. dark, milk, or white chocolate shavings.
  8. coconut or almond milk (use in place of regular milk)
Dec 1, 2015

Does alcohol cook out of hot chocolate? ›

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), baked or simmered dishes that contain alcohol will retain 40% of the original amount after 15 minutes of cooking, 35% after 30 minutes and 25% after an hour. But there's no point at which all of the alcohol disappears.

How do you add alcohol to chocolate? ›

Place dark chocolate and 2 ounces of vodka into small heatproof bowl (glass bowls work best), stir until chocolate is evenly coated and set aside. Fill a small pot ¼ full with water and heat on medium. Once water starts to steam, place bowl of chocolate and vodka on top and allow chocolate to melt.

Who make the best hot chocolate? ›

  • Best for Dark Chocolate Lovers. Crow & Moss Honduras Wampusirpi Drinking Chocolate. ...
  • Most Nostalgic. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
  • Nostalgic Runner-Up. Nestle Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix. ...
  • Best Spiced. Spicewalla Classic Hot Chocolate. ...
  • Most Spike-able. ...
  • Platonic Ideal. ...
  • Best for Gifting. ...
  • Allergy-Free.
Feb 1, 2024

What is signature hot chocolate? ›

Information is based on standard recipes and does not reflect customization. Steamed milk and mocha sauce topped with sweetened whipped cream and a chocolate-flavored drizzle. A timeless classic made to sweeten your spirits.

Can rum chocolate get you drunk? ›

No for sure. Also, depending on the quality of your chocolate, many cheap brands put rum flavouring into their chocolates and not the real thing. Even if you have never had alcohol, it takes more that the couple of ml in chocolate to get drunk.

What to add to hot chocolate to make it better? ›

The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
  1. Add an extract. A quick and easy way to add flavor to your hot chocolate is by adding a splash of your favorite extract. ...
  2. Sprinkle in warm spices. ...
  3. Mix in Nutella. ...
  4. Swirl in caramel. ...
  5. Spike it. ...
  6. Infuse it with orange. ...
  7. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  8. Add a shot (of coffee)
Dec 4, 2023

How to enhance hot chocolate? ›

15 Best Ways To Upgrade Your Hot Chocolate
  1. Make it boozy. ...
  2. Swap traditional marshmallows with flavored ones. ...
  3. Use Nutella for a creamier chocolate flavor. ...
  4. Add an element of heat with chili peppers. ...
  5. Go rogue and make OREO hot chocolate instead. ...
  6. Toast your marshmallow topping with a blow torch. ...
  7. Add an espresso shot.
Oct 3, 2022

What's the difference between instant hot chocolate and hot chocolate? ›

The source of the chocolate flavour is different. Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

What goes first in hot chocolate powder or water? ›

Expert Tips. Always add the cacao powder to the mug before the liquid. If you try adding the cacao after you have already added the liquid, it is difficult to dissolve into the hot chocolate and stays clumpy.

Is powdered hot chocolate better with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

How to make instant hot chocolate thicker? ›

Cornflour/Cornstarch: Mix a small amount with cold milk or water to create a smooth paste. Whisk this into your hot chocolate towards the end of the cooking process until it thickens. Double Cream: Stirring in a splash of double cream can instantly enrich and thicken your drink, giving it a velvety texture.

What alcohol mixes well with chocolate? ›

Pairing Chocolate with Liquor

Though a few spirits fall out of these categories, it's generally accepted that the six types of distilled spirits are: brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey. Each pairs particularly well with chocolate, but the pairings depend on the blend in question.

What can you spike hot chocolate with? ›

Luckily, jazzing up your hot chocolate couldn't be easier. Just add a little warm brandy or some tequila, and you've got the perfect holiday drink—just take the spiked hot chocolate recipes below as inspiration!

What is good to add in hot chocolate? ›

Flavorful add-ins can transform simple hot cocoa into something special. Sweet add-ins include marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel, flavored spreads, and maple syrup. To transform cocoa into a co*cktail, add flavored liqueurs or traditional spirits.

What alcohol is good for hot? ›

For gin and tonics, punches, and most anything else

Second perhaps only to white rum, gin is the most quintessential warm weather spirit out there.

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