The Best Kahlua Hot Chocolate Recipe

Easy Kahlúa Hot Chocolate is the winter cocktail you have been dreaming about! It's so easy to make, and it tastes fantastic! You can prepare this Kahlúa and Hot Chocolate Recipe with homemade hot cocoa or a boxed mix.

Kahlua Hot Chocolate

We are taking a break from eggnog recipes to share this hot chocolate with Kahlúa recipe.

The combination of Kahlúa and Hot Cocoa is a winter cocktail dream. Flavors of chocolate, coffee liqueur, and cream make me happy.

It has been snowing a lot this week. Whenever I shovel the driveway, I dream of hot chocolate waiting for me inside. With how the forecast looks, a white Christmas will not be a problem this year.

We plan on relaxing and having a low-key holiday. Our big holiday goals are good food, fun Christmas cocktails, and no stress. Are you doing anything fun for Christmas?

Ingredients Needed

Here is a quick overview of the simple ingredients needed to make an epic Kahlúa Hot Chocolate Drink! The printable recipe card at the bottom of the post includes specific measurements and step-by-step instructions.

• Hot Chocolate Mix
• Milk
• Kahlua

Garnish - Whipped cream, chocolate covered espresso bean, mini marshmallows, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, chocolate syrup, chocolate sprinkles, or a chocolate drizzle. You can also add a dusting of cocoa powder to the whipped cream.

Hot Chocolate Mix - we use an easy hot chocolate mix for this recipe but you can easily make homemade hot chocolate. We used milk chocolate hot cocoa mix but you could easily use a flavored hot chocolate.

To make a Mexican Hot chocolate with Kahlua you will need Mexican Hot Chocolate tablets and a few cinnamon sticks for garnish.

For a fun garnish check out our Baileys Whipped Cream.

We featured this recipe in our collection of Hot Chocolate Recipes and easy winter cocktails

Equipment Needed

• Saucepan
• Wooden Spoon
• Fun Holiday Mug

How to Make Kahlúa Hot Chocolate

I've included complete instructions in the printable recipe card at the bottom of the post, but here's a quick version.

Add milk to a saucepan and heat over medium heat until warm.

Remove from heat and combine milk with hot chocolate mix. Stir together. Add in Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur and stir together.

Pour into mugs, top with whipped cream, and enjoy.

 

Preparation and Storage

Make Ahead:

This recipe takes only five minutes to come together. We suggest making it as you plan to enjoy it.

Storage: 

Refrigerate leftover Kahlúa Hot Chocolate in an airtight container and enjoy within three days.

Freezing/How to Freeze: 

Add all the ingredients to a blender filled with ice and blend until smooth for Frozen Kahlúa Hot Chocolate!

How to Reheat: 

Reheat leftover portions in the microwave for about two minutes or on the stovetop until hot, depending on how many portions you need to prepare.

 

Recipe Variations

Substitutions:

This recipe used an easy hot chocolate mix, but you can easily make homemade hot chocolate. We used a milk chocolate hot cocoa mix, but you could easily use a flavored hot chocolate.

Feel free to use almond milk, oat milk, plant-based milk, low-fat skim milk, or full-fat milk depending on your preference.

There are multiple flavors of Kahlua including Salted Caramel that would taste great with this drink.

Vegetarian Option: 

This holiday cocktail is vegetarian-friendly.

Vegan Option:

Kahlúa is not vegan, so vegans should replace it with a plant-based substitute to make this cocktail suitable for a vegan diet.

Gluten-Free:

Kahlúa confirms in its FAQs that while it is not certified gluten-free, it does not use gluten-containing ingredients in making Kahlúa Original or its other flavors.

Alcohol-Free Option:

Replace the Kahlúa Coffee Liqueur with an alcohol-free alternative to make NA Kahlúa Hot Chocolate.

Make It Spicy:

Kahlúa Mexican Hot Chocolate topped with chili or cayenne powder is a fantastic way to enjoy Kahlúa Hot Chocolate filled with warmth and heat. You will need Mexican Hot Chocolate tablets and a few cinnamon sticks for garnish to make a Mexican Hot Chocolate with Kahlúa.

Larger Group/More Servings:

This recipe makes one serving. If you are serving a large group, adjust the slider in the recipe card below to the number of servings you need, make a big batch of hot cocoa only, and have guests add the Kahlúa to their mugs.

Sugar-Free:

The written recipe contains 26 grams of sugar per serving. Kahlúa does not have alcoholic sugar-free alternatives you can buy at a store, but you can lower the sugar content with a sugar-free hot chocolate mix and milk with no added sugars.

Tips for the Best Kahlúa Hot Chocolate

• PLEASE use milk to prepare your hot chocolate! The boxed mixes say you can use water or milk, but you want to use milk for this Kahlúa Hot Cocoa recipe. It will mix better and taste better.
• You can adapt the amount of Kahlúa in your cocktail based on how strong you want the drink to be.
• We featured this recipe in our collection of Hot Chocolate Recipes and easy winter cocktails. 

What to Serve with Kahlúa Hot Chocolate

This Kahlúa Hot Chocolate warms the soul (and your cheeks!) and is one of our favorite sweet delights to whip up around the holidays. It would be a fantastic part of a holiday brunch, breakfast, or cocktail night! Here are some menu planning suggestions.

Sides: Cheddar Bay Sausage Biscuits, Brown Sugar Bacon Wrapped Smokies, Cheesy Green Beans, Apple Stuffing, Sausage Breakfast Biscuit Cups, Cranberry Salsa, Pineapple Stuffing

Main Dishes: Easy German Apple Pancake, Eggnog French Toast, Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole, Ham & Cheese Crescent Roll, CrockPot Cranberry Barbecue Meatballs

Desserts: 4 Ingredient Christmas Crack, Sugared Cranberries, Easy Holiday Reindeer Chow, Grinch Bark, Watergate Salad, Cherry Cheesecake Dip, Hot Chocolate Dip, Eggnog Cookies

Drinks: Eggnog Coffee, Baileys Hot Chocolate, Grinch Jello Shots, Eggnog Latte, Peppermint Patty Shot, Cranberry Mimosa, Three Wise Men Shot, Polar Bear Shot

When to Serve

• Holiday Gathering
• Holiday Cocktail Night
• Christmas Party
• Holiday Brunch
• Christmas Breakfast

Great Recipe Collections

Kahlúa Drinks That Taste Amazing!  

Best Hot Chocolate Recipes (Easy and Delicious) 

Warm Up by the Fire with These 30+ Winter Cocktails

Best Easy Christmas Cocktails Everyone Loves!

Easy 3 Ingredient Recipes That Taste Amazing!

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