Make a cup of Irish hot chocolate to celebrate St. Patrick's Day. This rich Bailey's drink is topped with cream or marshmallows.
How about a cup of the most amazing hot drinks you could possibly have? A luxurious Irish hot chocolate topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. This beverage will not only warm you up, but it will make you cheerful as well.
Check out more homemade drinks like Elderflower Gin Cocktail, Boozy Butterbeer, or Gin Mojito.
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Recipe ingredients
Chocolate: I use dark chocolate with cocoa content between 50% and 80%; the darker the chocolate, the richer the taste. However, if you think really dark chocolate is too strong, you can use semi-sweet chocolate as well. Make a Bailey's Tart with chocolate, too.
Bailey's Irish Cream is a liqueur made with Irish whiskey, cream, and cocoa. Its alcohol content is 17% by volume. Use the rest of the bottle to make Baileys Bundt Cake, Bailey's Fudge, Bailey's Cheesecake, or Bailey's Chocolate Cake.
Cocoa powder: Use pure unsweetened cocoa powder for the chocolate taste, not sweetened drinking cocoa.
Dairy: You'll need milk and a small amount of heavy cream for the drink, plus more heavy cream (whipped) for topping.
Toppings: The drink can be enjoyed as is or topped with whipped cream. Alternatively, mini marshmallows can be added, which will melt slightly into the hot chocolate, making it sweeter than the whipped cream version.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
How to make Irish hot chocolate?
Step #1: Finely chop the chocolate and place it in a saucepan.
Step #2: Add the milk, cream, cocoa, icing sugar, and Irish cream.
Step #3: Heat gently, while stirring, until the chocolate melts completely and the beverage is hot.
Step #4: Pour the Irish hot chocolate into cups and top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Serve immediately.
Tip
The amount of sugar is based on your taste. Using 50% chocolate and 2 tablespoons of icing sugar will give you a rich, chocolaty, not-too-sweet hot chocolate.
If you like it sweeter, you can add more sugar now or after pouring the chocolate into your cup.
Recipe FAQs
Yes, you can leave out the Irish cream for a non-alcoholic version. You can replace the alcohol with flavored coffee creamer, non-alcoholic Irish cream syrup, or caramel/chocolate syrup.
To prevent grainy chocolate, melt it gently over low heat or using a bain-marie, and avoid boiling the mixture. Stir continuously.
How to store leftovers?
The Irish hot chocolate is best served immediately, but leftovers (without toppings) can be stored in a sealed container, like a jar with a lid, in the fridge for up to 24 hours.
Freezing is not recommended.
Irish Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
Hot chocolate:
- 3.5 oz chocolate 50 % cocoa
- 2 cups milk
- ½ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons icing sugar more to taste
- ½ cup Baileys more to taste
Toppings:
- ½ cup heavy cream OR
- handful mini marshmallows Note 2
Instructions
- Chop the chocolate finely and place it in a saucepan.3.5 oz chocolate
- Simmer: Add the milk, heavy cream, unsweetened cocoa powder, icing sugar, and Baileys. Slowly bring to a simmer while stirring very often. Heat until the chocolate has melted. Pour into cups. 2 cups milk½ cup heavy cream + 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder + 2 tablespoons icing sugar + ½ cup Baileys
- Add toppings: Beat the heavy cream until stiff; use to top the hot chocolate. Or top with mini marshmallows instead. Serve immediately.½ cup heavy cream OR handful mini marshmallows
Notes
- The nutrition is calculated for Irish cream hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
- You can add other toppings you like. For instance, chocolate shavings, white or dark, are delicious.
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