Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate

Peppermint Schnapps Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and deliciously minty! It’s the perfect cool-weather cocktail.

Need a great hot drink for your winter entertainment? Attempt Hot chocolate peppermint schnapps! It’s rich and chocolatey, with just the right amount of smoothness thanks to the fresh mint finish. Peppermint schnapps is a celebratory tradition in our family and pairs perfectly with this creamy drink. Better yet, ditch the prepackaged mix for homemade hot chocolate, which you can whip up on the stovetop in 5 minutes.

Ingredients for hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps

Mint and chocolate go hand in hand: the bitter fullness is ideal with a hint of fresh peppermint. So there’s nothing better for winter than a hot chocolate with mint schnapps! They start with the base of our homemade hot chocolate and then add a spritz of schnapps. This stuff is powerful, so don’t be too heavy! Here’s what you need:

• cocoa powder
• 2% milk
• Sugar
• vanilla extract
• Cinammon
• Semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips
• peppermint schnapps30 or 60 proofs

Important: 100 proof liquor

There are a few types of peppermint liquor you can find in stores and online: 30 proof (15% vol), 60 proof (30% vol), and 100 proof (50% vol). As you can imagine, 100 proof is very strong. If the bottle says 100 proof, skip the amount in the recipe and add to taste!

About mint schnapps and a substitute

peppermint schnapps is a clear alcohol obtained by adding a peppermint flavor to a clear grain alcohol. It tastes like a candy cane with a spicy, alcoholic finish. This type of liquor is typically drunk in winter during the holiday season, but you can of course add it to cocktails any time of the year!

• What ABV is peppermint schnapps? Peppermint schnapps is sold in three different ABV levels: 15% vol. (30 vol.), 30% vol. (60 vol.) and 50% vol. (100 vol.). Compare that to 40% liquor like whiskey, gin, tequila, and rum.
• How much does it cost? Peppermint schnapps is very cheap: a 750 ml bottle costs between 8 and 10 US dollars.
• Is there a replacement? White creme de menthe can serve as a substitute: it has a milder, more balanced mint flavor. Just be careful you don’t get the crème de menthe verte (which gives a grasshopper’s signature green color)!

How to make hot chocolate with peppermint schnapps: some tips!

Once you have your ingredients, this peppermint schnapps hot chocolate is a cinch to make! Here are a few tips:

• Multiply the recipe as needed for a crowd. The recipe below makes two 1-cup servings, so multiply as you like!
• Substitute 2 cups of hot chocolate mixture. It’s not that good, but it works in a pinch.
• Garnish with whipped cream… and mints, if desired. If you want to go beyond the Christmas theme, top this drink with crushed breath mints. And maybe a peppermint stick?

More fortified hot chocolate

You can infuse hot chocolate with different types of alcohols and liqueurs. In fact, our favorite is rum! Here are some other adult hot chocolate recipes to try after this one: