Baileys Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate (2024)

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…

• Christmas Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
• Easy White Chocolate Brownies with Chocolate Chips
• Brown Butter Toffee Chocolate Chip Cookies
• Brown Butter White Chocolate Macadamia Nut Cookies
• Sea Salt Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie

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)

Interested in more Spiked Beverage Recipes? Check These Out!

• Jamaican Guinness Punch
• Jamaican Sorrel Drink Recipe
• Tropical Rum Punch
• Jamaican Carrot Juice with Stout
• Spiced Autumn Apple Sangria

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