Baileys Classic Hot Chocolate
The wintry, festive, holiday season is well upon us, and it heralds falling temperatures, warm fires and hot cocoa to soothe a freezing spirit. Put an Irish spin on a simple hot chocolate by adding a bit of creamy Baileys liquor to the traditional recipe and make a decadent mug of irresistible warm chocolate milk. The sheer indulgence of this whiskey cocktail topped with cream and garnished with marshmallows and chocolate flakes will infuse winters with a comfy festive spirit as the chocolate and whiskey spreads through your being in the most soothing ways.
Baileys Original Irish Cream Liqueur is a delicious alcoholic drink made with cream, cocoa and premium Irish whiskey. The luxurious drink blends whiskey with sugar and abundant cream which gives the liqueur a silky texture and a visible glean. A decadent emulsion, the liqueur adds gentle creaminess and thick notes of whiskey to a concoction of coffee or cocoa.
It is rather difficult to ascertain when chocolate and creamy liqueur became a favoured pairing but historical anecdotes can trace this growing popularity to the arrival of coffee to European shores from East Africa and the growing accessibility of chocolate and cocoa following the 16th century.
The history of making chocolate drinks is as old as time itself and is believed to have been a crucial component of the Aztec civilisation that flourished in Mexico. Over time, chocolate drinks were served warm and evolved into the rendition of hot chocolate recognised today. So, while Irish coffee or Baileys infused coffee has enjoyed an enduring popularity, it is the hot chocolate with Irish cream pairing that continues to remain a preferred choice for many because of the sheer decadence and comfort inherent to one favoured ingredient — chocolate!
Making hot chocolate with Baileys is an exercise in comfort and self-pampering. You can use cocoa or hot chocolate premix and top it with warm milk before adding Irish cream to make the warm cocktail. A cool trick is to first add hot chocolate powder and a spoonful of milk to a mug and stir it continuously to form a smooth paste. Pour milk over this mix to avoid granules and arrive at a smooth consistency.
Hot chocolate and Baileys can be paired for Christmas and New Years Eve gatherings or intimate dinners on wintry evenings when groups of friends can curl up on comfy sofas and thick rugs, seeking warmth as the mercury drops.
Find out below a simple recipe to concoct your own mug of hot chocolate and Baileys at home. You can opt for several garnishes including whipped cream and chocolate chunks along with marshmallows for a festive feel.
Ingredients
Method
Mix the hot chocolate powder with and pour into your favourite mug.
Add Baileys Irish Cream. Top with cream, chocolate, and a cookie.
Devour!
