This Eggnog Hot Chocolate is a rich, decadent treat!
Instead of using water or milk, this version uses eggnog to give it a thick, creamy, luxurious feeling.
And whether you want to make eggnog hot chocolate or eggnog hot cocoa, you only need 2 ingredients!
Plus it’s easy to make dairy-free or vegan, if necessary.
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Eggnog Hot Chocolate
While it’s normal to use milk – even whole milk – to make a thick, creamy hot chocolate, what if you could make it even thicker and creamier?
This Eggnog Hot Chocolate does exactly that.
Eggnog is milk thickened with eggs or egg yolks, plus sugar and spices like nutmeg. It’s almost like drinking custard!
So when my husband suggested using eggnog to make hot chocolate, I immediately realized it was brilliant.
By melting chocolate or cocoa powder into warm eggnog, you create something so decadent that it’s almost like drinking chocolate custard.
You can use either unsweetened cocoa powder for Eggnog Hot Cocoa, or chopped chocolate for Eggnog Hot Chocolate.
The cocoa version tastes closer to traditional hot cocoa, while the chocolate version is like a fancy sipping chocolate you might find at a European café.
Keep in mind the eggnog already has sugar in it, so you don’t need to use a sweet chocolate bar.
I use a 70-80% dark chocolate bar but if you want it sweeter, trying something around 40-50% (or look for a “semisweet” chocolate).
And if you use dairy-free eggnog and chocolate, you can make this dairy-free and vegan.
Can you add eggnog to hot chocolate?
Yes! You can add eggnog to a traditional hot chocolate for additional richness and creaminess.
But even better is when you use eggnog as the base for your hot chocolate. Keep reading below to find out how.
What you need for Eggnog Hot Chocolate
Ingredients for four (4 oz. or 1/2 cup) servings:
- 16 oz. (2 cups) of your favorite eggnog
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder OR 8 oz. chocolate, finely chopped
Equipment for hot chocolate:
- a small saucepan (2-3 quarts)
- a spatula
- a cutting board
- a chef’s knife
- a small fine-mesh sieve (optional but recommended)
- 4 mugs
Equipment for hot cocoa:
- a small saucepan
- a whisk
- measuring cups or measuring spoons
- a small fine-mesh sieve (optional but recommended)
- 4 mugs
How to make hot chocolate with eggnog
Add the eggnog to a saucepan and place over medium-low heat.
If making hot chocolate, finely chop the chocolate.
Once the eggnog is warm, add the chocolate and stir frequently with a spatula until it’s melted.
If making hot cocoa, add the cocoa powder to the warm eggnog and whisk until completely blended. Then keep whisking occasionally until the eggnog is completely warmed through.
Either way, I recommend pouring the eggnog hot chocolate/cocoa through a fine-mesh sieve into the mugs to catch any lumps of chocolate or cocoa. This ensures the smoothest, creamiest drink possible.
Substitutions and variations
- to make this dairy-free, use dairy-free eggnog and chocolate (unsweetened cocoa powder is already dairy-free)
- to make this vegan, use vegan eggnog and chocolate
- feel free to add other flavorings, like vanilla extract, a dash of cinnamon or even a pinch of cayenne if you’d like it spicy
- to make a boozy hot cocoa/chocolate, try adding whiskey, tequila, orange liqueur, coffee liqueur or a nutty liqueur like amaretto (almond) or Frangelico (hazelnut)
Make ahead
The hot cocoa and the hot chocolate can be cooled to room temperature and then chilled in the fridge for up to 5 days.
Re-warm it in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally.
(And actually, you can drink the chilled eggnog hot chocolate – it’s like chocolate eggnog! And you can eat the eggnog hot chocolate straight out of the fridge – it’s like an irresistible eggnog chocolate pudding!)
Other recipes you might like
- Chocolate Ricotta Pudding
- Flourless Chocolate Espresso Cake with Kahlua Whipped Cream
- Hot Chocolate Skillet Cake
- Mulled Apple Cider
- Chocolate Tahini Smoothie
Eggnog Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 16 oz. eggnog
For Eggnog Hot Chocolate
- 8 oz. chocolate (see notes for suggestions)
For Eggnog Hot Cocoa
- ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
Instructions
- Warm the eggnog in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. You should just start to see bubbles forming along the edge.
- For hot chocolate: finely chop the chocolate. Add the chocolate to the warm eggnog and stir gently and frequently with a spatula (making sure the chocolate is not sticking to the bottom of the pan) until it's melted, about 5-10 minutes.For hot cocoa: add the cocoa powder to the warm eggnog and whisk until completely blended. Then keep whisking occasionally until the eggnog is completely warmed through, about 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the eggnog hot chocolate/cocoa through a fine-mesh sieve into 4 mug to catch any lumps of chocolate or cocoa. This ensures the smoothest, creamiest drink possible.
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