Are you ready to indulge in the ultimate cozy, grown-up winter treat? This rich, creamy, decadent Kahlua hot chocolate is just the thing.
Imagine it: velvety smooth homemade hot cocoa infused with Kahlua coffee liqueur. The result is an incredible blend of chocolate, coffee, and belly-warming booze.
I can’t lie, it’s tough for me to stop at just one cup!
Top it with fluffy whipped cream and some chocolate shavings, and it’s perfect for sipping by the fire or after hitting the slopes.
Why You’ll Love This Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Cozy & Indulgent: Kahlua hot chocolate is warm, comforting, and perfect for those chilly winter evenings. It’s also rich, creamy, and delightfully decadent.
Easy Entertaining: Though it takes only minutes to prepare, this drink will surely impress your guests. They’ll adore its simple sophistication.
Grown-Up Treat: Adding Kahlua transforms regular hot chocolate into an adult-only drink everyone will love. It’s warm and boozy but not too overwhelmingly strong.
Ingredients
- Kahlua Coffee Liqueur: Kahlua is a combination of rum and coffee liqueur. It adds a rich, bittersweet coffee flavor and a boozy kick.
- Whole Milk: Though any milk will suffice, whole milk is best. It’s thick and creamy, making your drink wonderfully smooth and indulgent.
- Sugar: Just a touch will enhance the drink’s sweetness. It’ll also cut through some of the chocolate’s and coffee’s bitterest edges.
- Dutch-Processed Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: Cocoa powder is deeply flavorful with a warm, mellow taste. It ensures your cocoa is exceptionally chocolatey.
- Spices: I like to add ground cinnamon and nutmeg. They’re warm and fragrant and give the drink just a hint of spiced flavor.
- Bittersweet Chocolate: Select a high-quality brand of bittersweet chocolate. It’ll melt into the hot cocoa, leaving it extra decadent and rich.
- Whipped Cream: For serving. Add a generous dollop of freshly whipped cream to each glass for the perfect topping.
- Chocolate Shavings or Cocoa Powder: Garnish with either (or both). They make the drinks look more aesthetically pleasing.
How to Make Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Kahlua hot chocolate may take a little longer to make than your average mixed drink. Still, the process isn’t difficult.
1. Heat the mixture. Combine the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a saucepan. Whisk them together over medium heat until steaming but not boiling.
2. Melt the chocolate. Remove the milk mixture from heat and add the chopped bittersweet chocolate. Let the mixture stand for 1 minute, then whisk until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
3. Add the Kahlua. Stir in the coffee liqueur until well combined.
4. Divide. Pour the hot chocolate into 2 large mugs.
5. Top & Serve. Top each drink with whipped cream and your choice of garnish. Serve immediately, and enjoy!
Tips for the Best Kahlua Hot Chocolate
Before we get to the recipe card, check out a few of my favorite hot chocolate-making tips:
- Don’t overheat! Keep the stove eye set to medium heat. Heat the milk mixture slowly, and don’t let it boil! Don’t increase the heat to speed up the process.
- Resist the urge to stir. After you drop the chocolate chunks into the liquid, let it sit for about a minute. Once the chocolate starts melting, you can whisk it to ensure it’s smooth and even.
- Adjust the sweetness. It’s okay to taste this recipe as you go. You may find you like the taste as is. If you want it slightly sweeter, add more sugar and taste it again.
- Make it even fancier. Spike your whipped topping with a splash of Kahlua for extra flavor and kick.
- Serving a crowd? Adjust the ingredients by a factor of X to make enough for all your guests. Then, keep the drink warm in a slow cooker or heated carafe.
Variations and Toppings
Want to mix things up a bit? Here are some variations and toppings to try:
- Make it kid-friendly. For a kid-friendly version, simply omit the Kahlua.
- A vegan version. Use plant-based milk and vegan chocolate. You’ll also want to leave off the whipped cream or substitute vegan whipped topping.
- Make it spicy. Add a dash of cayenne pepper along with the other spices.
- Use different chocolates. Bittersweet chocolate not your favorite? Make the drink with a high-quality dark chocolate bar. You can even try milk chocolate or white chocolate!
- Arrange a toppings bar. Instead of topping the drinks yourself, set up a toppings bar for your guests. Include whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, crushed peppermints, and more!
More Hot Chocolate Recipes To Try
Whipped Hot Chocolate
Hot Chocolate Bombs
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
White Hot Chocolate
Hot Cocoa Mug Cake
Kahlua Hot Chocolate
2
servings5
minutes5
minutes619
kcalThis creamy Kahlua hot chocolate is such a boozy treat! It’s an adults-only version of the classic and offers a delightful bittersweet taste.
Ingredients
2 cups whole milk
2 tablespoons sugar
1 1/2 tablespoons Dutch-processed unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
pinch ground nutmeg
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 ounces Kahlua coffee liqueur
whipped cream, for serving
chocolate shavings or cocoa powder, for garnish
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Heat over medium heat, whisking frequently, until the mixture is hot and beginning to steam. (About 5 minutes.) Do not let the mixture boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let stand for 1 minute, then whisk until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Stir in the Kahlua until well combined.
- Divide the hot chocolate evenly between 2 mugs. Top each with a generous dollop of whipped cream. Garnish with chocolate shavings or a dusting of cocoa powder.
- Serve immediately and enjoy your decadent Kahlua hot chocolate!
Notes
- Use high-quality ingredients for the best taste and texture. And don’t skimp on the chocolate!
