Baileys hot chocolate is rich, creamy and ready in minutes. Topped with Baileys whipped cream, this luxurious drink is perfect for cosy nights in or festive entertaining.
Enjoy a hot Baileys drink? Don't miss my Irish latte and Irish mocha recipes.
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Why you'll love this drink
- Quick & Easy: This Baileys hot chocolate is ready in 5-10 minutes and requires only 5 ingredients.
- Indulgent: It's rich, creamy, chocolately and boozy.
- Double the Baileys: This hot chocolate with Baileys comes topped with Baileys whipped cream on the top for added interest and deliciousness.
- Customisable: Vary the chocolate, use as much or as little alcohol as you want, add sweetener to taste, have fun with toppings. It's so easy to make this drink truly your own.
Try it with a slice of Baileys Irish coffee cake or Bailey cheesecake for total Baileys Irish cream indulgence.
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Ingredients Notes
Irish cream: I recommend original Baileys Irish Cream liqueur for this recipe. I've tried plenty of alternative brands over the years and have yet to find one that matches up to Baileys.
Chocolate: I've tested this recipe with white, milk, dark and semi-sweet chocolate. Semi-sweet chocolate (with around 55% cocoa solids) has just the right balance of sweetness combined with a robust chocolate flavour that stands up well to the alcohol. If you cannot get hold of chocolate with 55% cocoa solids try mixing ⅓ milk chocolate (with 30% cocoa solids) and ⅔ dark chocolate (with 70% cocoa solids).
Cream: To make the Baileys whipped cream you will either need whipping cream (38% fat content) or double cream (48% fat content).
Step by Step Instructions
- Step 1: Heat the milk in a pan to scalding but do not let it boil. Add the chocolate and stir until melted.
- Step 2: Add the vanilla extract and Baileys Irish cream.
- Step 3: Optional: blend using a milk frother or an immersion blender to create froth.
- Step 4: Whip the cream and Baileys together until soft peaks form.
- Step 5: Pour the drink into a mug and top with the Baileys whipped cream and a few chocolate flakes.
Expert Tips
- Whole (full-fat) milk is best for any hot chocolate recipe. The higher fat content in this milk certainly gives the creamiest and most decadent taste to this hot chocolate with Baileys. Avoid skimmed milk at all costs - the result is drastically lacking in comparison.
- Don't let the milk boil: Heat to around 70°C to keep the milk smooth. Taking it beyond this temperature may result in a grainy drink.
- Taste the drink before adding any sugar to it. Irish cream hot chocolate is sweet enough for my tastes without added sweetener, but you might think otherwise.
- To achieve a frothy top, use a milk frother or a handheld immersion blender to agitate the hot chocolate until frothy. Use a large pan so the liquid comes well below halfway in the pan to avoid it splashing over the edge.
- Vary the chocolate: I found white and milk chocolate too sweet for my tastes when used in this Irish hot chocolate recipe. I also found that using dark chocolate with 70% cocoa solids overpowered the flavour of the Irish cream. Use my chocolate recommendation as a starting point in this irish cream hot chocolate, but of course, feel free to experiment to suit your own tastes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Although I have specified 30ml (1 fl oz) in the recipe card, really it is entirely up to you how much Baileys to include in this Irish cream hot chocolate. You can drop it down to 15ml for a subtle hint of alcohol or increase it to 45ml for a more pronounced boozy buzz.
Baileys Irish cream should not split (curdle) when mixed into hot chocolate. The only reason it would do so is if it comes into contact with something acidic, such as a trace of lemon juice or vinegar left in the saucepan or mug. For this reason, it is important to make sure all your cooking utensils, pans and mugs are scrupulously clean.
Although it is best made fresh, you can prepare a batch of this drink in advance. It should be allowed to cool then kept covered in the fridge. When ready to serve, give the liquid a stir and reheat gently either in a saucepan or on the microwave.
You could replace the Irish cream with an Irish cream flavoured syrup to make a non-alcoholic version of this Irish hot chocolate. This version would be suitable for children and adults who are not wanting to consume alcohol but still want to enjoy the flavour of this hot Baileys drink.
Yes, you can. Use Baileys Almande rather than classic Baileys Irish Cream, replace the milk with your favourite vegan milk (I enjoy oat milk as it's got a creamy taste) and use vegan chocolate.
Serving suggestions
My favourite way to serve Irish cream hot chocolate is to top it with Baileys whipped cream. It's the perfect partnership, especially when garnished simply with chocolate flakes. However, if you are looking for alternative garnishes, here are some ideas:
- Sweet treats: Think marshmallows, mini meringues, mini fudge pieces or seasonal sprinkles.
- Chocolate: Chocolate sauce and chocolate sprinkles.
- Spice: A dusting of ground cinnamon or nutmeg.
- Cocoa: Sieved cocoa powder or drinking chocolate.
- Sea Salt: A light sprinkle of sea salt is unusual but rather tasty - have you seen my salted honey hot chocolate?
- Ice Cream: Replace the Baileys whipped cream with vanilla ice cream for a contrast of hot and cold ingredients.
Alternatively, go easy on the toppings and serve a piece of Cadbury's flake, some mini shortbread biscuits or some Baileys truffles alongside your hot Baileys drink instead.
Variations
- Iced Baileys hot chocolate: To make an iced version of hot chocolate with Baileys warm just half of the milk, melt the chocolate into it, add the rest of the milk along with the Baileys & vanilla extract and serve it over plenty of ice.
- Add a hint of coffee: Include 10ml coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria or use espresso to create a Baileys mocha instead.
- Add a hint of almond using 10ml Amaretto liqueur.
- Salted caramel Baileys hot chocolate: Simply swap original Baileys for salted caramel Baileys.
- Rich hot chocolate: Go with Baileys Chocolat Lux.
- Chocolate orange: Get fruity with an orange truffle Baileys hot chocolate.
If you have tried this Baileys hot chocolate recipe please give it a rating or comment. I love to hear how you get along with my creations.
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Baileys Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 360 ml Whole milk (full-fat)
- 60 g Semi-sweet chocolate (60% cocoa solids) or 18g milk chocolate + 42g dark chocolate (with 70% cocoa solids)
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla extract
- 4 tablespoons Baileys Irish cream
Toppings
- 75 ml Double cream
- 4 teaspoons Baileys Irish cream
- 1 teaspoon Chocolate flakes
Instructions
- Put the milk into a pan and place over a moderate heat.
- Tip in the chocolate then stir until melted and the milk is steaming but not boiling.
- Add the vanilla extract and Baileys.
- Optional (but recommended): blend using a milk frother or an immersion blender.
- Whip the cream and remaining Baileys together until soft peaks form.
- Pour the drink into a mug and top with the whipped cream and chocolate flakes.
Notes
- Whole (full-fat) milk is best any hot chocolate recipe. The higher the fat content in this milk gives the creamiest and most decadent taste to the hot chocolate. Avoid skimmed milk at all costs - the result is lacking in comparison.
- Taste the drink before adding any sugar to it. This hot chocolate with Baileys is sweet enough for my tastes, but you might think otherwise.
- Warm the milk over a moderate heat rather than a high heat and stir it often. This way the chocolate is less likely to burn and seize at the bottom of the pan.
- To achieve a frothy top, use a milk frother or a handheld immersion blender to aggitate the hot chocolate until frothy. Use a large pan so the liquid comes well below halfway in the pan to avoid it splashing over the edge.
- See my suggestions below for how to serve this hot chocolate with Baileys and how to vary the flavour slightly.
- Although I have specified 30ml (1 fl oz) in the recipe card, really it is entirely up to you how much Baileys to include in this Irish hot chocolate. You can drop it down to 15ml for a subtle hint of alcohol or increase it to 45ml for a more pronounced boozy buzz.
Variations
- Iced Baileys hot chocolate: To make an iced version of hot chocolate with Baileys warm just half of the milk, melt the chocolate into it, add the rest of the milk along with the Baileys & vanilla extract and serve it over plenty of ice.
- Add a hint of coffee: Include 10ml coffee liqueur such as Kahlúa or Tia Maria or use espresso to create a Baileys mocha instead.
- Add a hint of almond using 10ml Amaretto liqueur.
- Salted caramel Baileys hot chocolate: Simply swap original Baileys for salted caramel Baileys.
- Rich hot chocolate: Go with Baileys Chocolat Lux.
- Chocolate orange: Get fruity with an orange truffle Baileys hot chocolate.
Jane Coupland says
Baileys fans will love this indulgent hot chocolate drink. It's a perfect winter warmer.