Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (2024)

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The cold, blustery days of winter call for a great spiked hot chocolate recipe. Flavored with Amaretto Liquor for a subtle almond flavor and rich chocolate, this Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the most decadently delicious drink perfect on a cold night.

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Now that its January, and the dead of winter has finally setting in, I always crave a delicious hot cup of cocoa, especially in the evening. This Amaretto Hot Chocolate is my new favorite way to indulge in a decadent, delicious hot beverage!

Making homemade hot chocolate is actually very simple. Just a few ingredients that you likely already have in your fridge and freezer are all you need to make this creamy, decadent spiked hot chocolate recipe!

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Here’s everything you need to know about making this delicious spiked hot chocolate recipe!

What do I need to make spiked hot chocolate?

To make spiked hot chocolate from scratch you’ll need just a few ingredients; whole milk, semi-sweet chocolate, sugar, a pinch of salt, vanilla, and Amaretto liqueur, as well as your choice of toppings.

I went with whipped cream, chocolate shavings and almonds, which compliment the amaretto (almond) liqueur perfectly!

Quick-reference shopping list for making homemade hot chocolate:

  • Whole Milk – you can also use skim, 2% or the plant-based milk of your choice. Whole milk will give you the creamiest hot chocolate.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate chips – you can also use milk or dark chocolate
  • Sugar
  • Vanilla extract
  • Pinch/Grind of salt – this is actually vital for flavor. I don’t recommend leaving out the salt.
  • Amaretto Liqueur – I recommend using De Amore Amaretto or Disaronno Originale.
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (3)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (4)

The Easy steps to making homemade Amaretto Hot Chocolate:

The recipe for this hot cocoa is very simple, and WAY better than any store-bought, powdered mix. It’s made with whole milk, along with semi-sweet chocolate making a very rich, creamy texture.

You’ll start by adding the chocolate chips, sugar, salt and milk to a saucepan. Heat on medium low.

Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (5)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (6)

Tips to making the BEST homemade hot chocolate:

  • Heat the ingredients over medium-low heat. Anything hotter and the milk will scorch/burn to the bottom of the pan and the chocolate chips will not melt properly.
  • Use a whisk. This helps integrate all of the ingredients. The sugar will need to dissolve and the chocolate will need to melt – using a whisk will help make the hot chocolate extra creamy and frothy.
  • Use the best quality chocolate you can afford. This will make a big difference in flavor and creaminess!
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (7)
Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (8)

What should I spike my hot chocolate with?

This recipe uses Amaretto for the liqueur, however, there are many other options to making spiked hot chocolate recipe. Some other options are Bailey’s Irish Cream, Kahlua, Rum Chata or Spiced Rum. Peppermint Schnapps is also a great option if you’re looking to do a minty hot chocolate.

FAQ’s for making hot chocolate:

What does amaretto hot chocolate taste like?

Amaretto has a sweet almond flavor with a hint of cherry Amaretto liqueur pairs perfectly with hot chocolate.

How do you make hot chocolate more flavorful?

You can make hot chocolate more flavorful by adding your favorite liqueurs or adding non-alcoholic flavor extracts, like peppermint or coconut. You can also add toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, whipped topping, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce or Nutella.

How do you upgrade instant hot chocolate?

Start by making instant hot chocolate with whole milk instead of water. This will make it much creamier! You can also add to the flavor by adding flavor extracts, like peppermint or coconut (1/8 tsp./per cup). Another way to upgrade instant hot chocolate is to add your favorite liqueur, like amaretto, Rum Chata, Whipped cream vodka, Bailey’s, Caramel liqueur or peppermint schnapps.

If you love this Amaretto Hot Chocolate, the check out some of my other similar co*cktails and drinks:

  • Baileys Hot Chocolate
  • Tiramisu co*cktail
  • Baileys Espresso Martini
  • Chocolate Cake Martini
  • Creamy Hot Buttered Rum
  • Spiked Eggnog
  • Fireball Apple Cider Hot Toddy
  • Hot Mulled Apple Cider
  • Nutella Hot Chocolate
  • Spiked White Hot Chocolate
  • Slow Cooker Mulled Wine
  • Mint Hot Chocolate
  • Spiked Peppermint Hot Chocolate at Real Housemoms

I’ve topped my hot chocolate with whipped cream, slivered almonds (wonderful!!!), and some chocolate shavings. Try my Homemade Cool Whip, which is ultra creamy, velvety and fantastic on drinks!

However, if you’re more of a marshmallow person, add those on top instead of the whipped cream. They’ll be just as fantastic!

Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (10)

Amaretto Hot Chocolate

Erin Indahl-Fink

Hot chocolate just got a major upgrade! This rich, cream homemade Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the perfect way to warm up on a cold night. Made with just a few ingredients, this spiked hot chocolate recipe is amazing!

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks and co*cktails

Cuisine American

Servings 1 drink

Calories 521 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan This Circulon A1 Series non stick saucepan includes a glass straining lid. A great piece of cookware!

  • Large Whisk Ideal for making sauces, batters and so much more!

Ingredients

Instructions

  • To a medium sauce pan, add the chocolate chips, sugar, salt and milk. Heat over medium-low heat. Using a whisk, stir often to help the sugar dissolve.

  • Continue whisking until the chocolate melts completely and the mixture comes to a low simmer. NOTE: Do NOT let it rapidly boil, as the milk and chocolate will burn to the bottom of the pan. Once liquid comes to a low simmer, promptly remove from heat. Add the vanilla and stir to combine.

  • Ladle or pour hot chocolate into a mug and top with the amaretto liqueur. Stir to combine and top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings, like my Homemade Cool Whip. Enjoy right away while hot.

Notes

Milk options: this recipe will work with any milk of your choice. Whole milk will render the creamiest hot chocolate.

Toppings: marshmallows, whipped cream or Homemade Cool Whip are all great choices. I also added chocolate shaving and sliced almonds to go with the flavors.

Nutrition

Serving: 10oz.Calories: 521kcalCarbohydrates: 69gProtein: 8gFat: 20g

Keyword amaretto hot chocolate, spiked hot chocolate, spiked hot chocolate recipe

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Amaretto Hot Chocolate {The perfect Boozy Hot Chocolate recipe!} (2024)

FAQs

What's the best alcohol to put in hot chocolate? ›

Adding a splash of alcohol like rum, brandy, or whisky can transform your hot chocolate into a truly indulgent and sophisticated drink. So go on, delve into the delicious world of spiked hot chocolate, experiment with your favourite flavours, and enjoy every sip of your carefully crafted, indulgent beverage.

What are amaretto and baileys called? ›

While The Gilbert can be made with any brand of Bailey's and Amaretto, using higher quality brands may enhance the co*cktail's flavor profile.

What is the alcohol in amaretto? ›

It generally contains 21 to 28 percent alcohol by volume. When served as a beverage, amaretto can be drunk by itself, used as an ingredient to create several popular mixed drinks, or added to coffee.

What does amaretto hot cocoa taste like? ›

Flavored with Amaretto Liquor for a subtle almond flavor and rich chocolate, this Amaretto Hot Chocolate is the most decadently delicious drink perfect on a cold night.

Which alcohol is best with chocolate? ›

Pairing Chocolate with Liquor

Though a few spirits fall out of these categories, it's generally accepted that the six types of distilled spirits are: brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey. Each pairs particularly well with chocolate, but the pairings depend on the blend in question.

What alcohol is good for hot? ›

Gin. At home in any number of fizzy, refreshing drinks, gin is perhaps the perfect summer spirit. Classic drinks of the season include such venerables as the Tom Collins, the Gin Rickey and of course, the Gin and Tonic, along with a number of cooling relatives.

What's best to mix with amaretto? ›

The bittersweet almond and vanilla flavour of amaretto mixes brilliantly with dark spirits – particularly whiskey but this versatile liqueur also mixes well with a wide range of white spirits – vodka obviously but also the likes of tequila and gin, the Marsala Martini being a brilliant example.

Can I drink amaretto straight? ›

You can drink amaretto straight by itself, or mix it with scotch, bourbon, rum, and other alcoholic drinks. Amaretto also mixes well with non-alcoholic drinks, like coffee, hot chocolate, and ginger beer. To drink amaretto straight, pour it over ice. Add a squeeze of lemon or lime for extra flavor.

What's the difference between Disaronno and amaretto? ›

Disaronno is a brand of Amaretto, a liqueur made from Italian amber and almond flavours. In conclusion, the primary distinction between Amaretto and Disaronno is their almond content. Disaronno does not contain almonds despite its almond flavour.

What is the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate? ›

Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

What is the best flavor of hot chocolate? ›

Still, the Milk Chocolate hot cocoa reigns supreme. Made with cocoa powder, powdered nonfat milk, and coconut oil, Swiss Miss has a surprisingly creamy mouthfeel and balanced sweetness.

Why is amaretto so good? ›

Amaretto is a renowned almond-flavoured Italian liqueur with a history as rich and textured as its distinctive taste. Originating in the 16th century, the sweet, slightly bitter drink is derived from natural flavourings like almonds and apricot pits, enhanced with pure alcohol and sweeteners.

What liquor is used in chocolate? ›

Chocolate liquor: Thick paste-like mass made of pure cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Made from cocoa beans. Doesn't contain alcohol. Chocolate liqueur: Beverage made from a base liquor like whiskey or vodka (containing alcohol) to which chocolate is added.

Is it good to mix chocolate with alcohol? ›

While there may be additional health benefits to eating chocolate, pairing it with alcohol might trigger gastrointestinal issues that harm the intestinal lining, especially if you are prone to digestive issues. Chocolate contains both caffeine and cocoa, which can exacerbate stomach problems and cause constant hunger.

Which rum is best for hot chocolate? ›

Issac: A dark rum would go well with hot chocolate. As for recommendations for someone who is new to rums, Don Q Anejo wins hands down as the best buy considering flavor and price.

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