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

Mark Stock
By

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

cognac/calvados/pere-magloire-vs/p/180205750?glia=true&s=1404" data-title="" data-cta="Buy Here" data-pid="" >

La Maison Fontaine Chocolat

Maison Fontaine Chocolat Absinthe.

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.

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.

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

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
The 5 best Irish food recipes for a tasty St. Patrick’s Day feast
From classic corned beef to comforting barley risotto, these Irish food recipes will have you reaching for seconds
ButcherBox corned beef brisket with aromatics on wooden board.

Saint Patrick's Day, a holiday that's usually filled with fun drinking and cocktails, is also a great time for some seriously good Irish food. After all, what sounds better than getting together with loved ones and friends over an Irish-inspired feast? Besides classic corned beef, there's also an endless number of dishes to make for Saint Patrick's Day, ranging from sausages to modern takes on risotto. To celebrate this Saint Patrick's Day, The Manual has collected five amazing recipes that are both hearty and delicious, a perfect combination to celebrate this festive holiday.
ButcherBox corned beef brisket recipe

Probably the most iconic Irish food recipe for Saint Patrick's Day in America, a properly made corned beef is a surefire crowd-pleaser. This corned beef recipe is from Yankel Polak, the head chef of ButcherBox, a B Corp Certified meat brand delivering high-quality, sustainably sourced meat and seafood right to your door. Customers can choose from four curated boxes or handpick a custom box for their delivery needs.

Read more
Here are a half dozen Irish liquors worth trying (that aren’t whiskey)
St Patrick's Day doesn't have to always mean green beer and whiskey. Here are six other Irish liquors to look into.
6 Must-Try Irish Spirits

With St. Patrick's Day on the horizon, the masses tend to gravitate towards the standard Irish drinks. You know, a finger or two of whiskey and a Guinness to wash it all down. As tasty as the popular options are, Irish liquor has much more to offer in terms of intriguing fermented liquids.

From interesting gins and smooth cream liqueurs to things you've probably never heard of (Poitín), we've put together a half-dozen Irish liquors worth checking out this March and beyond. They offer new flavor profiles and reveal a country with way more to its name than just lagers, stouts, and whiskies. If you're looking for Irish drinks this St. Paddy's Day and perhaps tired of the same old, read on.

Read more
Drink these delicious Irish beers on St. Patrick’s Day (and beyond)
Ready to sip like the Irish this St. Patrick's Day? Here are some great beer options from across the pond
beer head mug glass

Beer and St. Patrick's Day go together like corned beef and cabbage. The Irish holiday is just a few weeks away, which means it's time to get into the spirit. A great way to do so is with a crisp lager or hearty Irish stout from across the pond.

The masses can have their green-dyed beer. We all know it's just Budweiser anyway. Why not crack a real Irish brew? Granted, many of Ireland's best craft beers are a bit harder to come by stateside (but do ask about them at your favorite bottle shop) but even the larger producers are turning out some pretty tasty suds.

Read more