Baileys Hot Chocolate

By Steve Kilcullen Jump to Recipe

When the snow falls and the cold winds blow, a Baileys Hot Chocolate will warm you up with a little extra bite.

It was a perfect day for skiing. The powder was fresh, the sky was a beautiful blue after a nightlong snowstorm, and the slopes were nice and light, crowd-wise. All in all, a skier’s dream. The lifts were carrying couples and friends, beginners were learning how to stop, with varying results, and the welcoming smell of the lodge’s chimney would waft into everyone’s nostrils, cutting through the cold, brisk air.

I arrived decked out in my tightest Bogner suit, with my new goggles and gloves ready to be broken in. Taking all the time in the world, I moseyed across the resort toward the lodge, and decided an après-ski instead of shushing downhill was a more seductive prospect.

Since it was cold and the air stung my lungs with its icy chill, I wanted something to warm me up. Not just in temperature, but with a little heat inside, too. A boozy treat was in order, and that is exactly what I asked the waiter for as I settled into a large comfy chair, watching a beautiful view of the mountainside and the activity on it.

Moments later, I was served a steaming mug of a dark and thick elixir, topped with a peak of snowy-looking whipped cream, lined with a chocolate drizzle garnish. And upon my first sip, I could feel the wonderful spikiness of Baileys Irish Cream.

Yes, the Baileys Hot Chocolate was the way to spend this ski holiday. Tomorrow, I’d go off-piste. Maybe.

What Is The Best Irish Cream Liqueur To Use In A Baileys Hot Chocolate?

If you want to be able to call your drink a Baileys Hot Chocolate, then you won’t need to search long for the Irish cream the drink requires. Baileys is one of the most popular and well-known brands of the liqueur, and has a balanced, sharp sweetness as well as a heat on the finish of every sip.

FAQs & Tips

WHAT GLASSWARE AND GARNISH ARE USED?

Grab your favorite coffee mug, or a heat-resistant glass one, to serve your beverage in. Garnish with a healthy dollop of whipped cream and chocolate sauce drizzle.

CAN YOU STORE A BAILEYS HOT CHOCOLATE?

It’s best to make and serve this mixture hot, fresh and on a drink-by-drink basis. That said, you can store the drink ahead of time in the fridge, minus any garnish, and heat slowly in a saucepan when you’re ready to serve.

HOW MANY CALORIES ARE IN A BAILEYS HOT CHOCOLATE?

This indulgent and decadent sipper is a hefty 643 calories per glass.

CAN THIS BE MADE WITH NON-DAIRY INGREDIENTS?

Yes. For the milk, you can use whatever your preferred substitute is, be it oat milk, almond or soy. And for the whipped cream, there are plenty of non-dairy options available these days, like a coconut or plant-based whipped cream.

Other Chocolate-Flavored Drinks Worth Trying

You know it when it happens, because your thoughts become overtaken and an obsession begins. Your taste buds begin to scream, begging for the amazing flavor that can only be provided by the delicious and smooth treasure known to the world as chocolate. And you crave a spirit as well, a strong heat to accompany the smooth cocoa deliciousness. Here are a few potions that might please your senses.

• Chocolate Martini – Have your dessert and cocktail too with this elegant treat.
• Chocolate Cake Shot – This little tipple tastes exactly like a mouthful of chocolate cake.
• Boozy Hot Chocolate – Here’s another hot beverage to chase the chill away.
• Chocolate Piña Colada – The tropical favorite gets even sweeter in this version.