*This homemade chocolate cherry hot chocolate recipe is loaded with cherry brandy, vanilla vodka, and all the things that will keep you warm on a cold winter's night*
Aaaaand we're back!
Totes sorry about the technical difficulties I've been experiencing this week. I had to work out some issues with my host and, in true Amber fashion, things were much more difficult than they should've been. Story of my life!
So, since this week has been a doozy, I thought I'd make y'all something boozy. This recipe was a huge hit over Christmas, and I was hoping to get it posted before then but, as y'all know, I had other things on the brain. Ha!
I guess getting this up before Valentine's Day will suffice since it's red, full of chocolate, and will surely become the new love of your life.
I've never really understood buying pre-mixed packets of hot chocolate especially since my mom always made them w/ water rather than milk. Blech. I've always found it easier to make homemade hot chocolate because it is so stinkin' easy and is made with four simple ingredients that I guarantee you have in your house right now. Plus it tastes sooo much better than that crappy story bought stuff.
Cocoa powder, sugar (or stevia or coconut sugar), milk, and vanilla extract. Seriously, that's all you need. Well, to make the basic base for a homemade hot chocolate at least.
This beauty has a few added components because, let's be real, who wants to drink plain hot chocolate when you can zsoosh it up with booze?!?
You could easily keep this kid friendly if you wanted by nixing the hooch and stirring in a couple of good glugs of cherry juice or syrup instead.
It's no secret that I can't stand chocolate covered cherries, but the flavors together are so classic that I like to put my own twist on things whenever I happen to get a hankerin'.
This recipe went over so well with my friends and family I even had one of my besties beg for it so she could serve it to her mom on Christmas Eve.
I ain't going to lie, this homemade hot chocolate is amazing! It's rich, luscious, simple and sinful, and it'll warm your heart at first sip. 
Hot Chocolate Cherry Cordial Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 2.5 cups milk or half & half
- 2-4 tablespoon sugar of choice
- 3 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 2 shots cherry brandy
- 1.5 shots vanilla vodka
- 1 shot creme de cocoa optional
- optional toppings: whipped cream chocolate syrup, maraschino cherries
Instructions
- Heat milk, sugar, & cocoa powder on low/med-low in a medium sauce pan, whisking until sugar and cocoa dissolve and small bubbles form around the perimeter of the pan. About 5-7 minutes. DO NOT BOIL.
- Remove from heat and stir in booze.
- Serve w/ whipped cream, chocolate syrup, & a cherry on top!
Mary says
I wish I'd had this recipe for Christmas Eve 🙂 -- still a few months of winter, though, to try it! I'm also not a fan of chocolate maraschino cherries, but the flavors here look great.
Amber says
The only time I ever use maraschino cherries is for pictures because the colors are so vibrant! I can't stand eating them, but my son does. I don't keep them at our house, but his grandparent's do 🙂
Simon says
Brrr... I'm so cold... I really need to warm up... (or am I just looking for an excuse to make this? :p)
Thanks for sharing
Noel says
chocolately, boozy, creamy, hot .... what's not to love!
Amber says
It will seriously become the new love of your life! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Mark, CompassandFork says
That's a great looking, refreshing drink. Very appealing.
Amber says
Thanks, Mark!
Levan says
OH MY! What a fabulous looking dessert! Hot chocolate, here I come!!!
Amber says
Thanks, Levan! I'm sure you could sub the milk in the recipe for full-fat coconut milk or even half coconut milk & half almond. It'll keep the richness that way.