When the weather outside is frightful, there’s nothing more delightful than a steaming mug of this Baileys hot chocolate.
This hot drink gets its signature depth from the way the Irish cream blends into the warm milk. It’s not cooked in, but stirred through, so you never lose that creamy vanilla-caramel Bailey’s flavor.
What Goes Into A Hot Chocolate With Baileys
Ingredient Substitutions
WHIPPED CREAM: If you do not like the store-bought whipped toppings, then you can certainly use homemade whipped cream in its place for this alcoholic drink.
CHOCOLATE: If you want to use baking bars instead of chocolate chips, two ounces {finely chopped) melts perfectly and gives the same glossy finish.
MILK: Our recipe testing confirmed that whole milk made the drink rich and velvety without becoming too heavy. Anything lighter tasted noticeably thinner; anything richer (like heavy cream) was too thick.
ALCOHOL-FREE: For a non-alcoholic version, try using Baileys non-alcoholic coffee creamer to mimic the flavor.
Want a stronger Bailey’s flavor? Three tablespoons = a standard shot (1½ oz). If you add more, reduce the milk to one cup to keep the texture balanced.
One thing we learned during testing: the cocoa matters. A lot. We tried multiple brands side by side, and Ghirardelli Dutch-processed cocoa was the clear winner for both flavor and color. Dark cocoa gave nice depth but went too far into bitter territory,
Tips Based On Our Recipe Testing
Whisk the cocoa and sugar together first – Combining the dry ingredients before adding milk breaks up every lump. This is the step that gives you that smooth, café-style finish instead of grainy cocoa.
Add the milk in one pour, then heat gently – Medium-low heat is the sweet spot. You want steam and tiny bubbles around the edges, not a simmer. That keeps the milk from scalding and keeps the chocolate flavor clean.
Melt the chocolate chips slowly – Once the milk is hot, the chocolate chips melt in under a minute. Stir gently as they melt — no need for high heat. This gives the hot chocolate its glossy body.
Add the Bailey’s off the heat – Stirring it in after removing the pot from the burner keeps the vanilla-caramel Bailey’s flavor bright and creamy. Heating it aggressively dulls the flavor.
Can this hot chocolate be made in a slow cooker? This hot chocolate can be made in a slow cooker. Combine all ingredients except for the Baileys, and cook on low for two hours, stirring occasionally. Add the Baileys just before serving to preserve the alcohol content and flavor.
How To Serve Adult Hot Chocolate
Serving Baileys and hot chocolate isn’t just about pouring it into a mug; it’s about creating an entire mood that complements the rich flavors of the drink.
Finish with whipped cream, marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or a chocolate syrup drizzle. Tip – Let the mug rest 30 seconds before adding whipped cream – topping it too soon melts the whipped cream instantly.
For a full dessert moment, sip your Baileys hot chocolate while nibbling on a slice of chocolate cake, creamy cheesecake or buttery shortbread cookies.
Baileys Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder, Ghirardelli brand used
- 1 ¼ cups whole milk
- ¼ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips, Ghirardelli brand used
- 3 tablespoons Baileys Irish Cream flavored liqueur
Optional Garnishes
- Whipped topping
- Drizzle of chocolate syrup
- Mini marshmallows
- Semi-sweet chocolate bars shavings
Instructions
- In a small (1.5 quart) saucepot whisk together the granulated sugar and cocoa powder until no large lumps remain.
- Whisk in the milk, turn on the heat to the saucepot to medium-low and heat for 3-4 minutes or until the milk starts to steam and tiny bubbles form around the edges of the saucepot. Be sure to whisk the mixture constantly to ensure the milk does not burn while heating up.
- Add the chocolate chips and stir until completely melted and combined into the hot chocolate.
- Remove the saucepot from the heat and stir in the Baileys.
- Carefully pour the warm Baileys hot chocolate mixture into a large (16-ounce capacity) mug. Garnish with optional toppings if desired and serve immediately.
Notes
- 3 tablespoons equals 1 ½ ounces, which is a standard measurement for a shot of alcohol. If you want more Baileys in your hot chocolate, then you will need to reduce the amount of milk to 1 cup for this recipe.
- You can make a batch of homemade stabilized whipped cream, transfer to a large piping bag fitted with a piping tip, to garnish your Baileys hot chocolate. The stabilized whipped cream will last in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Be sure to use a high quality brand of unsweetened dutch-processed cocoa powder and semi-sweet chocolate chips for the best flavor hot chocolate. Brands will differ in color and flavor.
- You can substitute 2-ounces of semi-sweet chocolate baking bar, finely chopped, for the chocolate chips in this recipe.
- You can replace ¼ cup half-and-half, or heavy cream, for a ¼ cup of the whole milk if you prefer a richer and creamier hot chocolate. I do not suggest swapping out all the whole milk for these alternative options as that would be too thick and rich.
Nutrition
Making Baileys And Hot Chocolate Ahead Of Time
You can scale this up for two or four servings easily. If you prep the chocolate base ahead, store it without the Bailey’s. Reheat gently on low, then stir in Bailey’s right before serving.
This homemade hot chocolate will not keep in the fridge or freezer.
More Hot Chocolate Recipes
Comments
Kimberly Newsom says
I would have a cinnamon roll or cinnamon coffee cake as a sweet treat with this.
Jean Robrahn says
I would use homemade whipped topping with this hot chocolate.
Nancy Lynch says
This sounds like a great drink to warm up with after a long day out skiing or snowmobiling in front of the fireplace. I would top it off with a Andies mint to add a hint of mint flavor to it.
lynn says
I would use all 3 toppings for my husband.. whipped cream, choc sauce, & shavings. I better get some choc sauce made or bought :=))
I would also serve this as a dessert after dinner!
M.Gobeil says
Love the taste, I just love any recipes made with Bailey’s! Hope you come out with many more new recipes made with Bailey’s!
Keep up the good recipes! Love them!
Shirley says
YUM! I would totally use the extra creamy Reddiwhip!
Gail Milner says
I’ll be using store bought canned whipped cream using it as part of a chocolate fundraiser.