Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is a rich, creamy and indulgent hot chocolate recipe, spiked with Baileys Salted Caramel or Original Irish Cream. It’s the perfect warm spiked beverage for the Christmas holidays or a winter night, and it’s ready in under 10 minutes! Garnish with homemade salted caramel bits, whipped cream, and chocolate shavings for the best cold-weather treat.
Love a good hot chocolate recipe? Try this Jamaican Hot Cocoa Tea and Christmas Peppermint White Hot Chocolate next!
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Nothing screams the holidays or a cold winter night like a good cup of hot chocolate! Growing up, we always had hot cocoa tea (the Caribbean version of hot chocolate), but as I got older I started switching things up and elevating the cozy drink.
Baileys hot chocolate is a sweet and salty indulgence, made using real chocolate, cocoa powder, caramel, and vanilla. It’s rich, chocolatey, smooth and velvety! Skip the powder hot chocolate packets and go the homemade way, you won’t be disappointed.
Here’s Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- The Perfect Winter Beverage – on your next snow day, treat yourself to this cozy spiked salted caramel hot chocolate that will warm you from the inside out!
- Great for Parties – ring in the holidays and make everyone merry with whiskey-infused hot cocoa. Simply multiply your ingredients to serve guests. This is bound to become your new favourite holiday drink.
- Easy to Prepare – with simple instructions, this boozy hot chocolate is made on the stovetop and is ready in less than ten minutes.
Lover of Chocolate? Check Out these Recipes…
Ingredients and Ingredient Notes
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- Milk – any milk of your choice will do.
- Cocoa Powder – the base of your chocolatey flavour.
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate – this thickens the consistency of the beverage and also adds a rich layer of deep, cocoa flavour.
- Pure Vanilla Extract – this actually enhances the taste of the chocolate.
- Caramel Sauce – to add to the caramel flavour.
- Baileys Salted Caramel or Original Irish Cream – for the deep salted caramel flavour, use that flavour. Otherwise, use the original.
- Whipped Cream – because what is a cup of hot cocoa without it?
Salted Caramel Garnish
- Granulated White Sugar – you only need this simple pantry staple to make the garnish.
- Flaky Sea Salt – for the salty touch that makes this drink so yummy.
How to Make Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
1. Warm Milk
In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add milk and cocoa powder. Whisk constantly until the milk is steamy. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
2. Add Chocolate, Vanilla and Caramel
Gradually add the chocolate pieces, pure vanilla extract and caramel sauce whisking until the chocolate is melted, ingredients incorporated, and mixture smooth; remove from heat.
3. Add Baileys Rum Cream
Stir in Baileys Salted Caramel or Original Irish Cream, and serve immediately topped with whipped cream and salted caramel pieces to garnish.
How to Make Salted Caramel Garnish
1. Heat Sugar
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Over medium heat in a medium-sized saucepan, heat the sugar stirring occasionally with a heat safe spatula. When the sugar has melted and turned a golden caramel colour remove from heat, around 7- 8 minutes.
2. Pour, Cool and Crack
Very carefully pour the caramel onto the prepared baking sheet. Using the spatula, spread it into a thin layer, and sprinkle it with flaky sea salt. Allow to rest until harden, around 5-6 minutes, then carefully smash hardened caramel into small garnish-sized pieces with the back of a spoon.
Recipe Substitutions and Tips
- Non-Alcoholic – if you want to make regular salted caramel hot chocolate for the whole family, omit the Baileys and use more milk instead.
- Not a Salted Caramel Fan? – use original Baileys instead of Baileys salted caramel.
- Baileys Salted Caramel Mocha – kick things up a notch and add 1-2 espresso shots to your mug.
- Other Liquor – If you don’t like whiskey, you can use vodka instead. If you like rum, Kahlua is a good option.
- Make it Vegan – Use non-dairy milk and Baileys Almande, a dairy-free liqueur.
Serving Suggestions and Tips
Serve this salted caramel hot chocolate with whipped cream and pieces of salted caramel for garnish. Fluffy marshmallows would be another tasty option. To amplify the sweet and salty flavour, serve the spiked hot cocoa with popcorn or pretzels.
For a super special treat, drizzle chocolate syrup or salted caramel syrup over whipped cream.
Recipe Notes and Tips for Success
- Reheating Tips – Reheat in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, warm hot chocolate stirring constantly until it’s warmed through. You want to keep stirring to prevent a layer of froth from forming on top of hot chocolate.
- Medium-Low Heat – Be careful not to bring the mixture to a boil, this will burn the hot chocolate and may end up curdling the milk.
- Milk over Water – Use milk instead of water, this makes the hot chocolate extra creamy and rich.
Can I Make this Ahead of Time?
This salted caramel hot chocolate is made quick and easily so it’s best to serve it fresh.
Storage Instructions
After the hot chocolate has cooled down, store leftovers in an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to 3 days.
Reheating Instructions
When you want to enjoy it, simply warm it up in the microwave or reheat it over medium-low heat on the stove.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Besides this spiked hot chocolate, Baileys salted caramel cream can be used in a variety of drinks and desserts. You could make Baileys salted caramel shots, milkshakes, floats, popsicles, and more!
Baileys will not curdle if it is added to the milk correctly. Mix together the other ingredients thoroughly. Then remove the beverage from direct heat and add the alcohol.
Yes. Although everyone has different tolerance levels, this drink contains alcohol so it can get you drunk. Be mindful and drink responsibly.
Interested in more Spiked Beverage Recipes? Check These Out!
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Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Medium Saucepan
- 2 Mugs for serving
Ingredients
Baileys Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- 4 cups Milk any milk of your choice
- 3 tbsp Cocoa Powder
- 1 oz Semi-Sweet Chocolate for a richer consistency
- 2 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 cup Caramel Sauce
- 1 cup Baileys Salted Caramel or Original Irish Cream, more or less as desired
- Whipped Cream as desired for garnish
Salted Caramel Garnish
- 3/4 cup Granulated White Sugar
- 1/4 tsp Flaky Sea Salt
Instructions
Baileys Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
- In a medium saucepan over medium-low heat, add milk and cocoa powder. Whisk constantly until milk is steamy. Do not let the mixture come to a boil.
- Gradually add the chocolate pieces, pure vanilla extract and caramel sauce whisking until chocolate melted, ingredients incorporated and mixture smooth; remove from heat.
- Stir in Baileys Salted Caramel or Original Irish Cream, serve immediately topping with whipped cream and salted caramel pieces to garnish.
Salted Caramel Garnish
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Over medium heat in a medium sized non-stick saucepan, heat the sugar stirring occasionally with a heat safe spatula. When sugar melted and has turned a golden caramel colour remove from heat, around 7- 8 minutes.
- Very carefully pour the caramel onto the prepared baking sheet. Using the spatula, spread into a thin layer, and sprinkle with flaky sea salt. Allow to rest until harden, around 5-6 minutes, then carefully smash hardened caramel into small garnish sized pieces with the back of a spoon.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Note, the nutritional information is calculated using a nutrition facts calculator. It is a rough estimate and can vary based on products used.
2 Comments
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September 14, 2022 at 4:26 pmIt’s just great!!!
Such wonderful recipes!!!
Taneisha Morris
September 20, 2022 at 9:21 pmYayy! Love that feedback! So glad you thoroughly enjoyed!!