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Baileys Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and all about flavor! This hot cocktail is deliciously sweet and perfect for cool weather.
Love Baileys? Then here’s a warming cocktail to put on your to-drink list: Baileys Hot Chocolate! It’s got the best deep chocolaty flavor, accentuated by the chocolate and vanilla notes with the fruity finish of Irish whiskey. Topped with fluffy whipped cream, it’s a revelation! Serve this sweet hot alcoholic drink anytime you need a wintery pick me up: or it’s great for the holidays or a snow day. Here’s how to make it!
Ingredients in Baileys hot chocolate
Baileys Hot Chocolate is just as it sounds: Baileys Irish Cream and hot chocolate, combined. You can make it with purchased hot chocolate or a hot chocolate mix. But it’s best with homemade hot chocolate! It takes 5 minutes to make, and has incredible rich and creamy flavor. It’s very sweet, so it’s intended for sweet drink lovers. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Cocoa powder
- 2% milk
- Sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Cinnamon
- Semi sweet or dark chocolate chips
- Baileys Irish Cream
How to make Baileys and hot chocolate: some tips
This recipe is extremely simple: whisk up some homemade hot chocolate and add Baileys! But here are a few things to note in the process:
- Multiply the recipe as needed for a crowd. The recipe below makes two 1-cup servings, so multiply as desired!
- Substitute 2 cups purchased hot chocolate if you like. It’s not nearly as good, but it works in a pinch.
- Use the magic ratio, then adjust as needed. The ratio we like is 1 cup hot chocolate to 1 ounce Baileys. Of course, you can always add more!
- Top with whipped cream! It’s great as is, but it always is better with a little homemade whipped cream (reminiscent of an Irish coffee).
More adult hot chocolate recipes? Go to Spiked Hot Chocolate, Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate or Kahlua Hot Chocolate.
More about Baileys Irish cream
Interestingly, Baileys Irish Cream is the most popular liqueur sold worldwide. Here’s a little more about what it is and what makes it great:
- Baileys Irish Cream a liqueur made with Irish whiskey, cream, and cocoa that’s manufactured in Ireland. It’s the most popular liqueur worldwide. It’s low alcohol: the ABV is 17% (compared to 40% in spirits like gin, whiskey, and vodka).
- How much does it cost? Baileys is mid-priced: it costs about $20 to $25 for a large 750 ml bottle.
- How to store Baileys? Store an opened bottle in the pantry for up to 2 years after its manufacture date. You can also refrigerate it: it’s good between 32 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit.
More Baileys cocktails
Once you’ve tried this Baileys Hot Chocolate, there are so many ways to use up a bottle! Here are a few more great popular Baileys drinks:
- Go for a classic like the Mudslide
- Try spins like Baileys Coffee or Baileys White Russian
- Opt for a sophisticated Chocolate Martini or Baileys Espresso Martini
- Try the low-brow B-52 Cocktail (or shot)
Baileys Hot Chocolate
Baileys Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and all about flavor! This hot cocktail is deliciously sweet and perfect for cool weather.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 3 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons cocoa powder*
- 2 cups 2% milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- ¼ cup (1 ½ ounces) semisweet or dark chocolate chips (optional but recommended)
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) Baileys Irish Cream
- Whipped cream, optional
Instructions
- Place a saucepan over medium heat. Add the cocoa powder and ¼ cup of the milk and whisk until the cocoa powder is mostly integrated. Whisk in the remaining milk until smooth. Add the remaining ingredients and heat over medium heat until the chocolate is melted, about 2 minutes. Do not boil.
- Stir in the Baileys. Serve immediately, garnished with whipped cream or marshmallows.
Notes
*You can also substitute 2 cups of your favorite hot chocolate for the homemade hot chocolate in this recipe.
Let us know if you have any questions!