This post may contain affiliate links.

Irish Hot Chocolate combines cocoa powder and dark chocolate for an ultra-thick, rich, steaming cup of hot chocolate spiked with Irish whiskey or bourbon. Add in some homemade marshmallows and you have an adult-style chocolate beverage like no other!

A tall cup of irish hot chocolate with marshmallow topping on a saucer with little sugar cookies and a white spoon with candy cane striped handle next to a small bowl of homemade marshmallows in front of a tall white pitcher.

Winter to me means hot chocolate for breakfast, lunch, snack, and sometimes even dinner and dessert. It is the perfect beverage for taking along skating, sipping on a snow day, or a snuggly weekend morning.

A cup of hot chocolate brings back so many happy memories of my mom waiting for my siblings and me to trudge home after a day of sledding or even just 20 minutes out frolicking in the snow.

She would be stirring a pot of her special cocoa on the stove ready to ladle it out.

This scrumptious Irish hot chocolate is the perfect nightcap after a long winter day. If you have never made homemade marshmallows, I highly recommend it, they are easy to make and delicious!

A silver dish holds several large square homemade marshmallows ready to top a cup of steaming Irish hot chocolate.

Why you’ll love this Irish Hot Chocolate

Thick, rich and creamy
Super chocolatey flavor
The booze will really warm you up!
More complex flavor profile with the chocolate and whiskey

Ingredients

Water
Brown sugar
Unsweetened cocoa powder
Semi-sweet chocolate
Fine sea salt
Vanilla extract
Whole milk
Irish whiskey or Bourbon

How to Make Irish Hot Chocolate

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and whisk in brown sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate, salt and vanilla, just until brown sugar is dissolved and chocolate is melted. Do not let the mixture simmer.
Whisk in milk.
Continue cooking until mixture is steamy and just beginning to simmer, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in whiskey.
Serve in your Chocolate Pot.
Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Serve and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

Change the chocolate. Use your favorite type of chocolate, such as bittersweet or milk chocolate.
Substitute the booze. Try your favorite whiskey, bourbon or liqueur. There are plenty of fun options!
Omit the booze. Even without the alcohol, this hot chocolate is great!
Switch the topping. Instead of marshmallows, try a spoonful of whipped cream and some chocolate shavings or sprinkles.

A tall red-rimmed white ceramic mug holds creamy Irish Hot Chocolate. The cup is on a matching plate along with some small star-shaped sugar cookies and a spoon with a red-and-white-striped candy cane handle.

Storage

Hot chocolate should be immediately enjoyed as it does not store well.

Related Recipes

Did you enjoy this recipe?

Leave a comment and a review below to share your thoughts.

Want even more chocolatey goodness in your life? Come follow along!

Irish Hot Chocolate with Bourbon or Whiskey

Irish Hot Chocolate blends cocoa powder and chocolate for a thick, rich, steaming cup of hot chocolate spiked with Irish whiskey or bourbon.

Print Recipe

Ingredients

½ cup water
3 TBSP brown sugar
2 TBSP unsweetened cocoa powder
2 oz semi sweet chocolate chopped
1 pinch fine sea salt
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 ½ cups whole milk
3 TBSP Irish whiskey or Bourbon

Instructions

In a medium saucepan, bring water to a boil over medium heat.
Reduce heat to low and whisk in brown sugar, cocoa powder, chocolate, salt and vanilla, just until brown sugar is dissolved and chocolate is melted. Do not let the mixture simmer.
Whisk in milk.
Continue cooking until mixture is steamy and just beginning to simmer, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Stir in whiskey.
Serve in your Chocolate Pot.
Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Serve and enjoy!