Hot Chocolate

Spiked hot chocolate is maybe the most universally loved winter cocktail. Pour in peppermint schnapps for a Peppermint Hot Chocolate, add Baileys for a creamy Irish version, or go with Kahlua for a coffee-chocolate combo. Make your hot chocolate from scratch with real cocoa and whole milk for the best base — the instant packets work in a pinch but taste thinner. Bourbon, rum, and amaretto all pair beautifully too. Top with whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder. It’s the kind of cocktail that doesn’t feel like a cocktail, which is exactly the point.

Last modified on September 24, 2026