Name: Baileys hot chocolate recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: Serves: 2
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 565ml milk; 50ml Baileys

By Rosie Conroy

last updated 13 December 2023

in Recipes

Our Baileys hot chocolate recipe serves two and takes just 20 minutes to make

This comforting hot drink will go down a treat with the grownups! It combines milk, Baileys and a handful of ingredients for a deliciously rich chocolate flavour. We’ve topped the hot chocolate with whipped cream, marshmallows and grated chocolate but it’s delicious on its own if you want to make it less indulgent.

Ingredients

565ml milk
50ml Baileys

For the chocolate mix:

½ tbsp cornflour
1 tbsp icing sugar
2 tbsp cocoa powder
25g quality dark chocolate
Whipped double cream, marshmallows and grated chocolate, to serve

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Method

Pour the milk into a saucepan and bring almost to the boil. Meanwhile, combine the cornflour, icing sugar and cocoa powder in a bowl. Finely grate in the chocolate and give everything a mix to combine.
Spoon the chocolate mix into the hot milk with the Baileys, whisking thoroughly, and allow to bubble for a few mins before serving.
Top with a dollop of whipped cream, some marshmallows and a grating of more chocolate, if you like.

Top tips for making our Baileys hot chocolate recipe

You can also make this boozy recipe with rum or whisky instead of Baileys. If using rum, try adding some raisins for a twist on rum and raisin. You could also use Disaronno and sprinkle with some flaked almonds for garnish.

Why do I need to add cornflour to the hot chocolate mix?

Cornflour might seem like an odd thing to be adding to a drink, but if you want that really thick, unctuous feel with a bit of a foamy top, adding the cornflour is the best way to get this. It thickens the liquid and makes it feel so much more luxurious.

What flavours can I add to the hot chocolate mix?

You can get really creative. Try adding spices to the power mix. If you want an extra kick, try cayenne pepper - chilli and chocolate actually go really well together. For something a bit more festive, how about a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg? If you're a fan of chocolate orange you could add some grated orange zest. Otherwise you can add liquids to the final drink, before you garnish it. Salted caramel syrup or peppermint essence both work well.

Can I make Baileys hot chocolate into a homemade gift?

Yes, this makes a really lovely homemade food gift. Make up a big batch of the powder by increasing the quantities. Then simply fill jam jars with it, cover the lids with a pretty circle of fabric and tie with a ribbon and a tag explaining how to make it up into a drink with milk. Add a mini bottle of Baileys tied with a ribbon to make it even more decadent.

Give your hot chocolate a frothy finish with this handheld electric whisk. It’s also great for making lattes or cappuccinos at home.

If you’d prefer a boozy festive drink that isn’t chocolate-based, try our mulled cider instead. Our mulled apple juice is a great alcohol-free option or this Mexican hot chocolate has a lovely spicy kick. You could also try this hot chocolate in a slow cooker recipe if you want to make a big batch.

Rosie is an experienced food and drinks journalist who has spent over a decade writing about restaurants, cookery, and foodie products. Previously Content Editor at Goodto.com and Digital Food Editor on Woman&Home, Rosie is well used to covering everything from food news through to taste tests. Now, as well as heading up the team at SquareMeal - the UK's leading guide to restaurants and bars - she also runs a wedding floristry business in Scotland called Lavender and Rose.