Christmas Hot Chocolatern

close up shot of Christmas Hot Chocolate in a mug topped with whipped cream and gingerbread cookie

This Christmas hot chocolate features a rich chocolate flavor that is made even better with the addition of Irish cream, gingerbread, and whiskey to create the perfect way to celebrate the holiday season.

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Prep Time3

Total Time3

Servings

Table of Contents

Christmas Hot Chocolate Ingredients
How to Make This Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Hot Chocolate Recipes
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It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and there’s nothing like a mug of rich, creamy hot chocolate to get you in the Christmas spirit! This recipe is the perfect mix of indulgent and festive, with a delicious hint of gingerbread, Irish cream, and whiskey to take it to the next level.

Christmas Hot Chocolate Ingredients

Christmas Hot Chocolate raw ingredients that are labeled

Christmas hot chocolate is an indulgent treat like no other. With a rich, creamy texture from the ice cream and the intense cocoa flavor, this festive drink melts in your mouth and lingers on your tongue.

As the aroma of steamy cocoa fills the room, the Irish cream and whiskey will warm you from the inside out with each sip.

To make this decadent drink, you’ll need:

vanilla ice cream
gingerbread flavored syrup (we used Torani brand)
Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
Jameson Irish Whiskey
whole milk
packet salted caramel hot cocoa mix (we used Swiss Miss brand)
Whipped cream and gingerbread men, optional garnish

Key Ingredient Highlights

We love using gingerbread syrup in a Christmas hot chocolate. It’s like wrapping yourself in a blanket of holiday cheer! The gingerbread adds a warm, spiced flavor, with each sip delivering a comforting blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and molasses.

Baileys Irish Cream is another favorite addition. It brings a rich, creamy indulgence that perfectly complements the deep chocolate flavors. The smooth, velvety texture and subtle hint of whiskey make this hot chocolate feel like a decadent treat.

How To Make This Kid-Friendly

You can make this a non-alcoholic version by omitting the Baileys Irish Cream and the whiskey. The kiddies and grown-ups alike will have fun with this holiday drink.

Ingredient Substitutions

INSTEAD OF SALTED CARAMEL HOT CHOCOLATE: You could swap out the salted caramel hot cocoa mix for a gingerbread-flavored hot cocoa mix and use either vanilla or salted caramel syrup to sweeten your drink instead.

PRO TIP:

Use a specialty hot cocoa packet for single drinks, or your favorite bulk hot chocolate mix – just aim for 6-oz of cocoa.

INSTEAD OF GINGERBREAD SYRUP: If you can not find gingerbread flavored syrup in your local grocery store or box retailer, you can easily find it online from Amazon or other retailers. These flavored drink syrups are great for hot or cold coffees or flavoring specialty cocktails.

Fun Variations

Non-Alcoholic Version: Skip the Baileys and add a splash of vanilla or caramel syrup instead. It’s still rich and delicious.
Dairy-Free Option: Use almond milk, oat milk, or coconut milk.
Extra Festive: Top it with crushed candy canes for a touch of holiday magic.
Take It Next Level: Add a pinch of salt to enhance the chocolate flavor.

Recipe Alternatives

If you found yourself on this blog post because you want to make a hot chocolate with alcohol. We also have to

Drunken Rudolf is a festive cocktail that combines vanilla ice cream, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, and Fireball Cinnamon Whisky, all blended into hot cocoa. Garnished with whipped cream, a maraschino cherry, and fresh rosemary twigs, it even looks like everyone’s favorite reindeer.
Spiked Hot Chocolate features a rich blend of dark and white chocolate chips melted into hot milk, enhanced with walnut liqueur for a nutty depth. Topped with maple-infused whipped cream, this drink provides a decadent and comforting experience, perfect for chilly evenings.

Preparation Tips

For the smoothest, most luxurious hot chocolate, make sure your milk is hot but not boiling — about 160°F (70°C) is perfect. Whisk gently but constantly as you stir in the cocoa mix to avoid any clumps.

How to Make This Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe

This festive drink will come together within minutes, and you’ll be sipping it before you know it.

STEP ONE: In a large coffee mug, add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, gingerbread syrup, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, and the Jameson Irish Whiskey. Set aside.

ice cream, gingerbread syrup, Bailey's, and Irish whiskey added in a mug

STEP TWO: In a microwave-safe, 2-cup measuring cup with a pour spout, pour in the whole milk and heat on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds (or longer if you desire your hot cocoa to be hotter). Carefully remove it from the microwave and add the contents of your salted caramel-flavored hot cocoa packet to the hot milk. Stir until no lumps remain.

STEP THREE: Carefully pour the hot cocoa into the large coffee mug with the ice cream and alcohol.

hot cocoa poured into a mug with the ice cream and alcohol

STEP FOUR: Garnish with a full squirt of whipped cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a small gingerbread man cookie.

PRO TIP:

You can either cut a small slit between the legs and place him on the rim of the glass, or you can use a 3 to 4-inch mini wooden skewer to poke the gingerbread cookie at the base and just rest the skewer in the cocktail so that the cookie is above the squirt whipped topping.

How To Serve

Once you top your hot chocolate with whipped cream, you’ll want to enjoy it with a treat on the side. Our candy cane cupcakes are a great choice while you are sipping.

Elevate the Experience

Instead of a spoon, use a mini candy cane for stirring. As it melts, it infuses your drink with a gentle peppermint twist.

Serve with Gingerbread Men Cookies or Shortbread Cookies to dip into the hot chocolate for a satisfying crunch.

Hosting a holiday gathering? Set up a hot chocolate bar! Offer different toppings like marshmallows, chocolate shavings, whipped cream, and festive sprinkles. Let your guests customize their mugs to make this cozy drink even more fun and memorable.

Serve your hot chocolate with classic holiday treats like:

Sugar Cookie Bars

Add a plate of our Christmas pinwheels and Christmas sugar cookies to add to the festive atmosphere.

MORE SALAD RECIPES

Drinks

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Drinks

Hot Chocolate

If you love a good cup of hot cocoa, our whipped hot chocolate and crockpot peppermint hot chocolate are two more must-try recipes.

Storage

IN THE FRIDGE/FREEZER: This recipe needs to be consumed right away, and none of the parts can be prepared ahead of time. We recommend making this drink on demand.

There’s nothing like curling up on the couch with a hot mug of Christmas hot chocolate on a cold winter evening. This Christmas, why not try something new and make your hot chocolate extra special?

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use non-dairy milk in this hot cocoa recipe?

This easy hot chocolate recipe would be yummy with non-dairy options such as soy milk, almond milk, or coconut milk.

Can I use a different liqueur than Bailey’s?

Any cream-based liqueur, such as Kahlua or RumChata would work fine in this tasty drink.

More Hot Chocolate Recipes

Christmas Hot Chocolate

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Prep Time 3

Total Time 3

Servings

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Ingredients

2 scoops vanilla ice cream
1 ounce gingerbread flavored syrup for hot and cold drinks, I used Torani brand
1½ ounces Baileys Irish Cream liqueur
1½ ounces Jameson Irish Whiskey
6 ounces whole milk
1.38 ounces packet salted caramel hot cocoa mix, I used Swiss Miss brand
Whipped cream and gingerbread men, optional garnish

Instructions

In a large coffee mug, add 2 scoops of vanilla ice cream, gingerbread syrup, Bailey’s Irish Cream liqueur, and the Jameson Irish Whiskey. Set aside.
In a microwave-safe, 2-cup measuring cup with a pour spout, pour in the whole milk and heat on high for 1 minute and 30 seconds (or longer if you desire your hot cocoa to be hotter). Carefully remove it from the microwave and add the contents of your salted caramel-flavored hot cocoa packet to the hot milk. Stir until no lumps remain.
Carefully pour the hot cocoa into the large coffee mug with the ice cream and alcohol.
Garnish with a full topping of squirt whip cream, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and a small gingerbread man cookie.

Notes

I like to use the specialty individual hot cocoa packet mixes for drinks like these, or if I am only making one at a time, but feel free to make whatever favorite hot chocolate brand you enjoy for this great recipe. The goal is to have 6 ounces of hot cocoa. Remember that different brands come in different size packets or even as a bulk container of hot chocolate mix. Just follow the packet for a single serving.
As always, you can make this a non-alcoholic version by omitting the Baileys Irish Cream and the whiskey. The kiddies and grown-ups alike will have fun with this holiday drink.
You can either cut a small slit between the legs and place him on the rim of the glass, or you can use a 3 to 4-inch mini wooden skewer to poke the gingerbread cookie at the base and just rest the skewer in the cocktail so that the cookie is above the squirt whipped topping.

Nutrition

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Layne Kangas Marketing
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Angela Sessions Recipe Developer

Christmas Hot Chocolate With Baileys