Few people seem to think of adding liquor or liqueur to hot chocolate, even though doing the same for a cup of hot coffee is widely accepted, from New Orleans-style cafe brulot to the ever-popular Irish coffee.
Maybe the reason is that folks consider hot chocolate a drink for children. But the recipes that follow, definitely for grownups, are sure to change a few minds.
Think about it a moment. Spirits are added to other chocolate creations all the time, from the liqueurs that often flavor chocolate truffles and other confections to the rum or other spirits that sometimes soak the layers of classic European cakes.
So why not add liqueurs or liquors to hot chocolate drinks? Try one or more of these recipes with a loved one when no kids are around!
Brazilian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 shot rum
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/4 cup strong black coffee
- 1 strip (about 1/4 inch by 3 inches) orange zest, removed from an orange with a swivel-bladed vegetable peeler
Directions:
- In a saucepan over low heat, melt the chocolate with the rum.
- With a wire whisk, stir in the milk and then the coffee. Continue heating, stirring, until hot, then briefly, briskly beat until frothy.
- Pour into a mug. Garnish with a strip of orange zest, twisting the strip to release its oils just before adding it to the mug. Serve immediately.
French Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 shot brandy or cognac
Directions:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour 3/4 cup of the milk into a mug. Add the chocolate to the remaining milk in the pan and stir with a wire whisk until melted and blended into the milk. Return the rest of the hot milk to the pan and stir.
- Put the egg yolk in a heatproof mixing bowl and whisk until smooth. While whisking continuously, drizzle in the milk mixture spoonful by spoonful until about a third of the milk has been added. Then, while whisking the milk mixture remaining in the pan, slowly pour in the egg-milk mixture. Return the pan to medium-low heat and continue whisking briskly until hot and frothy.
- While still whisking, pour in the brandy or cognac. Pour into the mug and serve immediately.
Irish Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 shot Irish whiskey
- Lightly sweetened whipped cream
Directions:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour 3/4 cup of the milk into a mug. Add the chocolate to the remaining milk in the pan and stir with a wire whisk until melted and blended into the milk.
- Return the rest of the hot milk to the pan and stir over low heat until hot and thoroughly blended.
- Pour the hot chocolate back into the mug. Stir in the whiskey and serve immediately, topped with whipped cream.
Mexican Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1 shot aged tequila
Directions:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour 3/4 cup of the milk into a mug. Add the chocolate and cinnamon to the remaining milk in the pan and stir with a wire whisk until the chocolate has melted and blended into the milk.
- Return the rest of the hot milk to the pan and stir over low heat until hot and thoroughly blended.
- Pour the hot chocolate back into the mug. Stir in the tequila and serve immediately.
Russian Hot Chocolate Recipe
Serves 1
Ingredients:
- 1 cup milk
- 2 ounces good-quality semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 shot vodka
Directions:
- In a saucepan, heat the milk over low heat until hot but not boiling. Pour 3/4 cup of the milk into a mug. Add the chocolate to the remaining milk in the pan and stir with a wire whisk until melted and blended into the milk.
- Return the rest of the hot milk to the pan and stir over low heat until hot and thoroughly blended.
- Pour the hot chocolate back into the mug. Stir in the vodka and serve immediately.
Always remember: Drink spirited hot chocolate responsibly! (Designated drivers: Learn how to make a regular great cup of hot chocolate!)
Norman Kolpas - I've been writing about lifestyle topics–including food, travel, art, design, books, theater, and movies–since the ...
