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.

Jump to Recipe

Table of Contents

Christmas Hot Chocolate Ingredients
Substitutions and Additions
How to Make This Christmas Hot Chocolate Recipe
How To Serve
Storage
Frequently Asked Questions
More Recipes You’ll Love
JUMP TO RECIPE
Most Popular Recipes

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:

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

PRO TIP:

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.

Substitutions and Additions

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. You could also 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.

GINGERBREAD MAN: When choosing a mini gingerbread man cookie for the garnish, I suggest using a soft batch, not a hard shortbread style, store-bought cookie.

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.

You’ll add the ice cream, syrup, and liquor to a fancy mug before heating the milk and making the hot chocolate. Mix everything together, and your drink is ready!

OUR RECIPE DEVELOPER SAYS

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.

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.

hot chocolate mix stirred in a measuring cup

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.

topped the hot chocolate with whipped cream, sprinkle cinnamon and a gingerbread cookie in a mug

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.

This creamy alcoholic hot drink is the perfect way to relax by the Christmas tree on Christmas Eve. Add a plate of our Christmas pinwheels and Christmas sugar cookies to add to the festive atmosphere.

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

MORE SALAD RECIPES

Drinks

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Drinks

Hot Chocolate

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.

Can I use a different flavored hot chocolate?

There are plenty of fun hot chocolate flavors available, and they would all be delicious in this yummy beverage.

Can I make a non-alcoholic version of this holiday hot chocolate?

You can omit the Bailey’s and whiskey, and you will have the perfect beverage to share with the entire family.

More Recipes You’ll Love