Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

The Best Spirits for Spiked Hot Cocoa and Why

By
Hot chocolate served in vintage mugs with marshmallows
Istetiana / Getty Images

For the times when your hot cocoa needs some hooch and you don’t want to make a full-blown cocktail: This one is for you. And you’re in luck, as there are some great quick additions you can douse your mug of chocolate with for a tasty, grown-up adulteration of the cold-weather drink.

Related Guides

If you’ve simply been pouring vodka into your hot chocolate all this time, fine. We’re not here to bring you down. But we do want you to do better. From liqueurs to flavors spirits, there are about a million options out there and it can be a little daunting. But there are certain flavors and styles that simply create harmony with the rich and creamy notes of hot chocolate. Here are 10 to keep handy near your stove and favorite mug.

Five Farms Irish Cream

Five Farms Irish Cream Liqueur.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Sure, there’s always Baileys, but why not opt for a cream liqueur that’s more complex? This small-batch version also hails from Ireland but offers added layers of espresso, coconut, and fresh-baked waffles. It’s a concentrated liqueur that’s a bit too much on its own but perfect swimming in a warm bath of cocoa.

Related

Drillaud Crème de Menthe

Drillaud Creme de Menthe.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Mint and chocolate are a pair for the ages. Give your drink the Grasshopper cocktail treatment with the addition of crème de menthe. While the chocolate will counteract the snappy mint flavors, we suggest adding a little cream to even better join the two like-minded ingredients.

Cardamaro

Cardamaro Vino Amaro
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Cardamaro adds an elegant touch of earthy nuttiness, with some piney, fruity undertones too — a chocolate-loving combo only cardamom can provide. It’s a little like an amaro meets a sherry, made with a Moscato base and tremendously versatile. Grab an extra bottle while you’re at it as in addition to spiking your hot chocolate with this stuff, you’ll want to try it in an Old Fashioned, Manhattan, or Negroni.

Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition

Bartender pouring Jameson Caskmates Stout into a glass.
Jameson

We love the latest collaboration from Jameson’s much-talked-about Jameson Caskmates family of releases. The Stout Edition is built for hot chocolate, with its malty notes and added flavors of anise and dark chocolate. On top of that, it’s very smooth, meaning it will mesh with your hot chocolate, no questions asked.

Pere Magloire VS Calvados

Pere Magloire VS Calvados.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

The French always seem to know what’s best, especially where gastronomy is concerned. Treat your cocoa to some Calvados, the iconic apple brandy. This version offers all of the orchard fruit goodness and intricacies of the spirit without breaking the bank (in other words, you won’t feel guilty adding another pour to your steaming mug). Throw a cinnamon stick in just to cap things off.

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat

Maison Fontaine Chocolat Absinthe.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This unique absinthe is well-suited for chocolate, already made with cacao. But it also affords an extra component built around the bitterness of wormwood and a touch of licorice. It almost takes your hot chocolate in the direction of a mocha, cutting into the sweetness and instead offering some roast-y, down-to-earth-ness.

Pietro Nicola Nocino

Pietro Nicola Nocino.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We like the Cardamaro addition so much we’ve decided to stay in the nutty lane and go with the classic Italian green walnut liqueur. It’s nutty at its core, but also incorporates a host of botanicals like vanilla bean, dried lemon, and cinnamon. In the end, it’s an obvious choice for all things chocolate. Pour some in and breathe in how it dramatically lifts the aromatics of your hot chocolate bevy.

Novo Fogo Barrel-Aged Cachaca

Novo Fogo Barrel-Aged Cachaca.
Novo Fogo/Facebook

This Brazilian spirit benefits from an added two years in oak, which concentrate and sort of caramelize the flavors, making them all the better in a hot chocolate. Notes of cinnamon, hazelnut, and dried cinnamon make it an ideal addition to your mug. Plus, you get some of those distinctive fruit ester notes only certain rums and cachaca can provide, turning your cocoa on its head in the best way possible (think, adding banana to ice cream).

Green Chartreuse

Green Chartreuse.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

This is a quick and easy way to make your hot chocolate a lot more intriguing. Green Chartreuse is inherently fascinating stuff, made through a secret recipe that sources some 130 different herbs, spices, and more. Better, it plays off of chocolate quite well and issues the alcoholic kick you’re likely searching for while clutching the mug with both hands (it’s 55% ABV).

The Balvenie Caribbean Cask

The Balvenie 14-Year Caribbean Cask Whisky
Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s no surprise that whiskey (and whisky) fares great with hot chocolate, from a spicy rye to a well-made Scotch. But this Caribbean-minded release from The Balvenie takes the cake when it comes to pairing options. The rum cask influence is noticeable, not only brining roundness but also richness to the spirit. You even get some tropical fruit notes and sweet oak elements that chocolate adores.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Contributor

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since. He spent years making, selling, and sipping Pinot Noir in the Dundee Hills before a full return to his journalistic roots in 2016. He's helplessly tied to European soccer, casting for trout, and grunge rock. In addition to The Manual, he writes for SevenFifty Daily, Sip Northwest, The Somm Journal, The Drake, Willamette Week, Travel Oregon, and more. He has a website and occasionally even updates it: markastock.com.

 

The 7 best instant coffees for quick, delicious coffee
Delicious coffee in a jiff
Cup of coffee

It's nearly impossible to outdo a patiently addressed, perfectly made cup of coffee. The galaxy of Java is a large one, spanning everything from the health benefits of coffee and sustainable farming policies to luxury beans on par with some of the most expensive agricultural products on the planet. As the saying aptly goes, there's nothing quite like the first sip of the day. In fact, we think you should have multiple sips.

With the innumerable options out there — what with scores of growing regions, harvesting methods, and roast levels — it can be tricky to know what should be in your grinder and ultimately your cup. Luckily, we've narrowed down some of the best options for you already. But let's face it: You don't always have the time or willpower for a traditional cup of joe. Sometimes you need something eye-opening and tasty and you need it pronto.

Read more
The best decaf coffee beans to buy
If decaf is your choice, here are the best beans to choose from
Cup of coffee with coffee beans

Decaf coffee has been thrown under the barista bus for quite a while. And perhaps for good reason, as for too many years, there was hardly an option in the field worth brewing. Alas, times continue to change and we're now blessed with a broad range of decaf options.

The reasons for going sans caffeine are many, and while we love the fully loaded stuff, many of us like to take a break now and again. Sometimes, you just want the flavor of coffee without the extra kick. This is especially the case after a big meal that meanders into the wee hours, after which you just want to hit the hay. Other times, you just want some of the health benefits of coffee (the antioxidants, for example) without the jitters. For others, caffeine may inspire a bit of anxiety and just not be worth the risk.

Read more
30 whiskey gifts they’ll love: The best bottles and accessories to give
The best whiskey gifts of 2024
Whiskey in a glass

The holidays are almost here. And with that comes a ton of parties, social obligations, and of course presents. Whether you’re buying a gift for a relative (dad, uncle, brother, etc.), a friend, or a Secret Santa, you’re going to want to stay away from cliché, boring ideas like ties, wallets, and novelty coffee mugs. They don’t need them, and you know it. Instead of being lazy this year, get them something they’ll really enjoy. We’re talking about the gift of booze. Specifically gifting a bottle of complex, nuanced, memorable whiskey. Yes, you can give whiskey as a gift.

If you’re gifting whiskey, there are a lot of styles to choose from. You can give them a well-made, long-aged bourbon whiskey, an herbal, spicy rye whiskey, a nuanced, balanced single malt Scotch whisky, or something more unique and a limited release.

Read more