Beyond Baileys: How To Make Hot Chocolate A Whole Lot Cooler
Boozy hot chocolate is almost synonymous with Baileys! The creamy texture and delicious taste exuded by the Irish whiskey liqueur truly elevate the hot winter drink. There are several liqueurs with different base ingredients that complement the comfy drink. Imagine adding a bit of heat from chilli liqueur to the hot chocolate or combining it with butterscotch liqueur to make a decadent drink! The below recipes will help you create hot chocolate with rich and diverse flavours.
1. Ancho Reyes Original Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
For The Chocolate Mix
400 gms 100% Cacao Powder
300 gms Turbinado Sugar
300 ml Hot Water
For The Hot Chocolate
40 ml Ancho reyes (Chilli liqueur)
120 ml Half & Half (half cream and half milk)
60 ml Chocolate mix
Cinnamon stick, for garnish
Orange peel, for garnish
Method
For The Chocolate Mix
Mix 100% cacao powder and turbinado sugar at a 1:3/4 ratio, ie. 1 part cacao powder and 3/4th part turbinado sugar in a bowl. Add hot water gradually as you stir and get a consistency which looks thick and rich. The final ratio of the mix should be approximately 1 part cacao powder to ¾ part turbinado sugar, to ¾ part water (by volume). Store the chocolate mix in a sealed container in the fridge.
For The Hot Chocolate
In a saucepan, heat half and half until it just begins to boil. Now add the chocolate mix and bring the contents to a simmer. Take a coffee cup, add the chilli liqueur and then the hot chocolate milk mixture. Garnish with a whole cinnamon stick and an orange peel.
2. Cocoa Buie II
Ingredients
60 ml Scotch whisky liqueur
270 ml Hot milk
90 ml Hot cocoa mix
1/8 tsp Ground cinnamon
1/8 tsp Kosher salt
Miniature marshmallows, for garnish
Method
Take a saucepan and keep it over medium heat. Add all the ingredients and stir slowly to combine. Let the contents simmer. Pour the drink into a mug. Garnish with the marshmallows. Serve hot.
3. Naughty Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
120 ml Skim milk
1/2 packet Hot cocoa mix
1 marshmallow
45 ml Smirnoff vodka
30 ml Chocolate liqueur
120 gms Ice
Method
Turn on the broiler to low heat in your oven and place a small saucepan over it. Add milk and let it heat. Stir in hot cocoa till all the lumps get dissolved. Turn off the heat and pour the mixture into a cocktail shaker.
Take a baking sheet and place the marshmallow on it. Broil until it turns brown.
In the shaker, add vodka, chocolate liqueur and ice. Shake well to combine. Pour into a serving glass and top with the toasted marshmallow.
4. Spiced Rum & Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
45 ml Captain Morgan spiced rum
45 ml Butterscotch schnapps
90 ml Hot chocolate
Dash of Orange bitters
Whipped cream
Chocolate shavings
Cinnamon stick or candy cane, for garnish
Method
In a mixing glass, add all the ingredients and stir well. Pour the content into a serving glass. Top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Garnish using a cinnamon stick or candy cane.
5. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
10 ml Peppermint schnapps
15 ml Chocolate liqueur
240 ml Hot chocolate
Whipped cream
Peppermint candy, crushed, for garnish
Method
In a saucepan, add schnapps, liqueur and hot chocolate. Heat the mixture and then pour it into a serving glass. Top with whipped cream and garnish using crushed peppermint candy.
While it's great to learn about alcohol, it is also important to consume alcohol moderately. Remember to serve and drink responsibly to ensure you and your guests are healthy and out of harm's way. If you know anyone who has trouble controlling their alcohol intake, please refer them to a professional immediately.
