The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (2024)

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A co*cktail that doubles as dessert? We’re in. This recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate with Red Wine is so incredible, we can’t think of a better reason to toast marshmallows.It’s from our friends at California Wines – and they know a thing or two about wine co*cktails!

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (1)

This inviting, toasty adults-only cocoa is made with a bottle of fruit-forward California red wine, like Merlot or Zinfandel. It can be prepared in a slow cooker or on the stovetop, so you can choose the wine and the method that suit you best. Use dairy, almond, or coconut milk to truly make it your own.

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (2)

What wine is best for making homemade hot chocolate with red wine?

Why Merlot or Zinfandel? Well, they’re food-friendly varietals that can stand out in a crowd (or a hot chocolate recipe.)

California Merlot is known for being luscious and approachable, but the right bottle can go glass-to-glass with the biggest, boldest Cabernet Sauvignon.

Bold and rambunctious, Zinfandel can take your palate on an odyssey of flavor, from raspberry to black pepper, cloves, and licorice.

One of our oldest and most revered vines, it’s known as both California’s signature grape and America’s Heritage Grape. You can learn more about the wines made in the Golden State on the California Wines website here.

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (3)

Now, about that hot chocolate…

California Wines suggest that you serve their recipe for homemade hot chocolate alongside fresh California Walnuts for cracking. Seems like the perfect pairing to us. Plus the marshmallows, of course.

When you make this recipe for homemade hot chocolate, be sure to tag us on Instagram at @cagrownofficial and use #CAGROWN

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (4)

Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate with Red Wine

K.C. Cornwell

This homemade hot chocolate with red wine is a co*cktail that doubles as dessert! This adults-only warm co*cktail comes together easily and can sit in the slow cooker or on the stovetop during a party, adding an incredible fragrance and equally delicious treat. Marshmallows or whipped cream are optional, but encouraged.

4.23 from 53 votes

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Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 10 servings

Calories 365 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 cups dark or semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup brown sugar packed
  • ¼ cup cocoa powder
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • teaspoon salt
  • 5 cups whole milk or almond or coconut
  • 1 750- ml bottle fruit-forward California red wine such as Merlot or Zinfandel
  • Marshmallows or whipped cream for serving

Instructions

Slow Cooker Method:

  • Whisk the chocolate chips, brown sugar, cocoa, cinnamon, salt and milk together in a slow cooker set on high. Cover and allow to come to temperature (10-15 minutes), then whisk again and add wine. Cook on high for one hour, stopping to whisk every 20 minutes. Reduce to warm to hold.

  • Ladle hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows and enjoy.

Stovetop Method:

  • Whisk the chocolate chips, brown sugar, cocoa, cinnamon and salt together in a large saucepan or stockpot. Add milk and bring to a low simmer over medium-low heat, whisking often. Once hot chocolate is blended and smooth (about 8-10 minutes), reduce to low heat and add wine. Cook for 5 minutes more.

  • Ladle hot chocolate into mugs and top with whipped cream or marshmallows and enjoy.

Notes

Toasted marshmallows are optional, but encouraged.

Nutrition

Calories: 365kcalCarbohydrates: 43gProtein: 4gFat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 15mgSodium: 82mgPotassium: 430mgFiber: 1gSugar: 38gVitamin A: 199IUVitamin C: 0.004mgCalcium: 195mgIron: 1mg

Keyword hot chocolate, red wine, wine

Tried this recipe?Mention @cagrownofficial or tag #CAGROWN!

Recipe by K.C. Cornwell for California Wines. See more of K.C.’s work on her blog G-Free Foodie

Red Wine Hot Chocolate Photos by Meg van der Kruik. See more of Meg’s work on her blog This Mess Is Ours

Ready for more warm co*cktail recipes? We are too!

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (5)

Get ready for your new favorite winter co*cktail: theWarm Sugar Plum!

Sweet dreams are made of…. spiced rum. Well, spiced rum, orange & prune juices, and some spices. You won’t believe the incredibly Christmas-y smell thiswarm winter co*cktailfills your home with. And your friends will be begging for the recipe!

Pumpkin Spice Mulled White Wine: You’ll love this.

Aromatic white wines such as Riesling, Muscat (Moscato), or Chenin Blanc are all great choices for making mulled white wine.

For this pumpkin spice-inspired version fromThis Mess is Ours, she opted for a nice butteryChardonnay.

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (6)
The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (7)

Hot Buttered Rum: YUM!

Hot buttered rum contains a variety of spices that are combined to create a warm and inviting flavor that’s ideal for the winter months. Be sure to look for butter with the Real CA Milk seal!

Mulled Red Wine: Warm California Goodness!

Our easy recipe for Mulled Wine was inspired by Vin Brulé – a popular spiced wine recipe served in Italy. Make mulled red wine and let us know what you think!

The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (8)
The Best Recipe for Homemade Hot Chocolate With Red Wine (2024)

FAQs

What is the best alcohol to add to hot cocoa? ›

Rum: Dark or spiced rum can give your hot chocolate an exciting Caribbean twist. Rum's natural sweetness and spicy undertones complement the rich cocoa beautifully, creating a blend that is smooth, warming and deeply comforting. Brandy: A shot of brandy can lend an enticing depth of flavour to your hot chocolate.

How do you mix chocolate and wine? ›

In small saucepan over low heat, combine chocolate and wine. Whisk until chocolate is melted, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add milk and honey; increase heat to medium-low and continue to heat until hot but not boiling. Remove from heat and pour into small cups for serving.

What is the common ingredient in chocolate and red wine? ›

For example, both chocolate and wine have tannins in them. These polyphenols are the reason your mouth dries out after taking a sip of dry red wine or eating a morsel of dark chocolate.

How can I make my hot chocolate taste better? ›

The 15 Best Things To Add To Hot Chocolate
  1. Sprinkle in warm spices. Take inspiration from the flavors of Mexican hot chocolate, and add warm spices like cinnamon, cayenne, and chile powder to your hot chocolate for a delightfully spicy drink. ...
  2. Mix in Nutella. ...
  3. Spike it. ...
  4. Swap regular sugar for maple syrup. ...
  5. Add a rim.
Dec 4, 2023

Is hot chocolate better with Kahlua or Baileys? ›

This is Kahlua hot cocoa is my favorite hot cocoa. Others chose to add Baileys to the cocoa. Baileys hot chocolate is a smooth combination of the hot cocoa with Irish cream to create a boozy hot chocolate that may be way too easy to drink.

What alcohol mixes well with chocolate? ›

Pairing Chocolate with Liquor

Though a few spirits fall out of these categories, it's generally accepted that the six types of distilled spirits are: brandy, gin, rum, tequila, vodka, and whiskey. Each pairs particularly well with chocolate, but the pairings depend on the blend in question.

Is red wine and chocolate a good combination? ›

Something like a Merlot or even a Merlot-based Bordeaux will balance the chocolate's sweetness with light fruit and, in some cases, a slight earthiness. Red blends are natural pairing options due to their penchant for being a bit more fruit-forward. In fact, any fruit-forward wine will work.

Can you mix red wine and chocolate? ›

Both red and white wines can be paired with chocolates. In general, if the chocolate is sweet, the wine should be sweeter to wash down the palate. If you are just starting to learn about wine chocolate pairing, start by pairing light wines with lighter chocolates and then move forward.

Is red wine good with chocolate? ›

The beauty of pairing and tasting chocolate is in the discoveries you'll make along the way. Dark chocolate pairs well with full-bodied red wines: such as a Cabernet Sauvignon, which highlight the fruity and peppery notes in the chocolate, or a Zinfandel, which brings out the chocolate's spicy subtleties.

What wine is good for chocolate? ›

Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, and Merlot are winners. For higher cacao percentages, you may have to go for sweeter wines that balance the bitterness. Some ideas are Ruby Port or Italian dessert wine.

What are the 3 main ingredients in chocolate? ›

Chocolate is a natural product made of these ingredients:
  • Chocolate Liquor: Cocoa beans with their shells removed that have been fermented, roasted and ground until they liquefy. ...
  • Cocoa Butter: Natural fat from the cocoa bean; extra cocoa butter enhances chocolate's flavor and mouthfeel.
  • Sugar.

What is the name of the red wine with chocolate in it? ›

Manufacturer: BoekenHoutskloof Winery S.A. The 2016 Chocolate Block is a blend of Syrah (79%), Grenache Noir (11%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%), Cinsault (3%) and Viognier (1%).

How do you add alcohol to chocolate? ›

Place dark chocolate and 2 ounces of vodka into small heatproof bowl (glass bowls work best), stir until chocolate is evenly coated and set aside. Fill a small pot ¼ full with water and heat on medium. Once water starts to steam, place bowl of chocolate and vodka on top and allow chocolate to melt.

Does vodka taste good in hot chocolate? ›

Which alcohols mix well with chocolate? There are a ton of option at our disposal to use with chocolate. With the warm, creamy substance that this drink is made up with, I found vodka and Baileys tastes delicious. You could always use Kahula in the Baileys place and substitute in whiskey or rum instead of vodka.

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