Spiked Baileys Hot Chocolate for Two

Looking for the best spiked hot chocolate to warm your soul? This Baileys Hot Chocolate is perfectly velvety smooth and chocolatey sweet, with just the right amount of Baileys Irish Cream.

Cozy hot chocolate spiked with Baileys is one of my favorite ways to warm up in the winter (it’s also one of my favorite homemade gifts to make friends and family for the Holidays, in the form of these Bailey’s Hot Chocolate Bombs).

This Baileys Hot Chocolate recipe makes the perfect amount for two servings (or one giant mug!) in just under 10 minutes. Only 5 ingredients are required to bring bold flavor to each warming sip!

All attributes that, as a busy mom who loves to warm up with a cozy cocktail, I can certainly stand behind!

This recipe for Hot Cocoa spiked with Baileys will outline two easy ways to make it (stovetop or microwave) for your convenience. It also provides an option to make Baileys Hot Chocolate from hot cocoa mix.

It’s rich and creamy, but not overly sweet or decadent, and tows the line of spiked hot beverage and chocolaty cocktail, making for the BEST cozy night in.

Baileys Spiked Hot Chocolate Ingredients

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Here’s everything you need:

• Milk. You can use skim, reduced fat, or whole dairy milk or any unsweetened non-dairy milk of your choice.
• Chocolate chips. Dark chocolate or semi-sweet. They both work well here.
• Granulated sugar. Just a little for sweetness.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder. For extra chocolaty flavor and a thicker texture.
• Baileys Irish Cream. For the most classic Baileys Hot Chocolate, use the Original flavor, or Almande to make this vegan and dairy-free.

Baileys Hot Chocolate Tips and Tricks

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Start with the Milk and Chocolate Chips

Add the milk and chocolate chips to a pot or large saucepan over medium heat. Heat and stir continuously until the chocolate chips are melted (about 3 minutes).

Make sure to continue to stir as you heat to avoid the milk curdling. The goal here is to both safely heat the milk and melt the chocolate chips.

Stir in the Sugar and Cocoa Powder

Once your chocolate chips are melted, add the granulated sugar and the cocoa powder and continue to heat and stir to dissolve.

I highly recommend using a whisk to ensure there are no lumps.

Continue to heat and stir until the hot cocoa is nice and smooth.

Add the Baileys Last

Once the chocolate chips, sugar, and cocoa powder are dissolved into your milk and your mixture is smooth, remove it from the heat.

Then, stir in your Baileys Irish Cream.

If you want a thicker, frothier hot cocoa, you can use a milk frother to combine the Baileys and Hot Chocolate.

Adding the Baileys after you remove it from heat will make for a more prevalent Baileys flavor.

Best Baileys for Hot Chocolate

I love using Baileys Original Irish Cream in my homemade hot chocolate for the classic flavor but changing up the Baileys you use in this recipe is an easy way to add your own twist on the flavor.

Here are some of my favorite Baileys Hot Chocolate combinations:

• Make this Baileys Hot Cocoa vegan by using Baileys Almande, a dairy-free version of the original.
• Make Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate by using Baileys Salted Caramel.
• Add a little coffee flavor and put a little pep in your step by adding Baileys Espresso Creme.
• Add warming Fall flavors by using Baileys Pumpkin Spice.
• Use Baileys Chocolate Cherry for a Black Forest flavor combination.

It’s also important to note that Baileys is just a brand name. You can easily use any Irish Cream in its place for this recipe.

Using Hot Cocoa Mix instead

If you have hot chocolate mix on hand and want to make Baileys Spiked Hot Chocolate from a mix, you absolutely can! I highly recommend whipping up a big batch of this Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix to have on hand through the cold months!

Just make two servings of hot cocoa according to the directions on the packets or container and add 1/3 cup of Baileys.

If you’re making two individual mugs of hot chocolate with one-serving packets, make the hot chocolate first and stir in about 3 tablespoons of Baileys to each mug.

Oftentimes, hot cocoa mixes will offer options to use either water or milk. Make sure to use milk for a richer hot chocolate, and to ensure you will easily be able to seamlessly add your Baileys into the spiked hot chocolate.

Making Baileys Hot Chocolate in the Microwave

If you don’t want to dirty up a pot or saucepan, you can also opt to make this Spiked Baileys Hot Chocolate in the microwave!

Add the milk, chocolate chips, sugar, and cocoa powder to an extra-large mug or microwave-safe cup or dish (a Pyrex measuring cup works great here!).

Microwave on high for 90 seconds. Use a fork, whisk, or frother to mix until smooth.

If the chocolate chips are still not completely melted and integrated after 90 seconds, continue to microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring in between, until your chocolate easily integrates.

Then, add the Baileys and stir to combine while it’s still hot.

Making this Recipe for One

This recipe makes enough hot cocoa for two standard mugs or one extra-large mug.

So, if you just want one single serving, it can easily be halved. You’ll need 3/4 cup milk, 2 tablespoons chocolate chips, 1/2 tablespoon each of sugar and cocoa powder, and about 3 tablespoons of Baileys.

Follow the same stovetop or microwave instructions outlined above.

How to Properly Store and Reheat Spiked Baileys Hot Chocolate

This Baileys Hot Chocolate will last in the refrigerator for up to 3 days in an airtight container.

To reheat, add to a pot over medium heat and continue to heat, stirring frequently until it just starts to simmer. You can also reheat in the microwave on high for 60-90 seconds until thoroughly heated.

Serving Your Hot Chocolate with Baileys

This Baileys Spiked Hot Cocoa is outrageously delicious on its own, but is also so fun to dress up!

Here are some of my favorite topping options to serve it with:

• Whipped cream
• Chocolate shavings or mini chocolate chips
• Chocolate sprinkles
• Mini marshmallows
• A candy cane (this will give it a mellow peppermint flavor) or crushed peppermint
• Dusting of powdered sugar or cocoa powder
• Chocolate syrup
• Toffee bits
• Caramel sauce
• Pirouette cookies

More Info on Spiked Hot Chocolate

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Does Baileys curdle in hot chocolate?

No, Baileys should not curdle in hot chocolate. It can be heated safely without curdling. Baileys will only curdle if it is mixed with something acidic (like vinegar or lemon).

That being said, I do like to add the Baileys to the hot chocolate after removing it from the heat. This will make for a more Baileys-forward flavor in your hot cocoa.

Refrigerating Baileys

Baileys is best when stored below 77°F (25°C). So, in the summertime, likely yes, you should refrigerate Baileys.

However, if you keep your house cooler than 77°F, then it is safe to keep your Baileys out on the counter.