Rich and creamy with added coffee liqueur, this White Hot Chocolate Recipe is one you’ll be dreaming about long after you’ve finished drinking it! Make a small batch for your family or a bigger batch for entertaining. It’s even great served cold!
Prefer milk chocolate over white? Don’t miss our Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate – it’s creamy, decadent, and luscious!
The Best White Hot Chocolate Recipe
Sure, the packets of hot chocolate mix certainly work in a pinch, but it doesn’t even compare to this homemade white hot chocolate, made with the best quality white chocolate chips for real, silky white chocolate flavor. We also add a touch of vanilla and some coffee liqueur, which lends a subtle coffee flavor and delicious boozy twist.
This white hot chocolate recipe is sweet, but not overly so. If you love Starbucks White Hot Chocolate, you’ll love this version, too – maybe even more!
What You’ll Need
You’ll need just 4 ingredients for this easy white hot chocolate.
(Scroll below to the printable recipe card for details and measurements.)
- Whole milk – You can also use 2% or 1% milk if you want to cut back on calories, but keep in mind the hot chocolate will be thinner and not as creamy and luxurious.
- White Chocolate Chips – Adds the creamy white chocolate flavor. Use the best quality white chocolate chips, which will melt better and provide the best flavor. We prefer Ghirardelli.
- Kahlua – This is a coffee-flavored, rum-based liqueur and pairs so well with white chocolate. Bailey’s would also be so delish.
- Vanilla extract – for flavor.
- For serving – marshmallows, whipped cream, caramel sauce, or holiday sprinkles are great topping options.
Recipe Variations
- Want the coffee flavor stronger? The recipe as written has a subtle coffee flavor. If you want the coffee to stand out more add an additional 1/4 to 1/2 cup coffee liqueur.
- Swap the Kahlua for Baileys Irish Cream, if preferred. Baileys tastes sweet and milky, with notes of vanilla and chocolate and is crazy delicious.
- Omit the booze entirely. If you need this to be non-alcoholic, just leave the Kahlua out.
- Make it minty. For peppermint white hot chocolate, stir in just a touch of peppermint extract, then serve with candy canes for stirring.
- Easily double the ingredients. If you need a bigger batch for entertaining, simply double all the ingredients.
- Enjoy it cold. Yep, this is even delicious cold! You can melt the white chocolate with the milk, then cool to room temperature. Place in the fridge before serving. Mix in the coffee liqueur and vanilla, serve as is, over ice, or even over coffee ice cubes.
How to Make White Hot Chocolate
You’re looking at only 1 minute of prep and 10 minutes of cooking time to get the best from-scratch white hot chocolate! You simply place the milk and chocolate chips in a medium-sized saucepot over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate is melted and it comes to a simmer, then immediately take off the heat. Add the Kahlua and vanilla, stir to combine. Pour into glasses and top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings.
To make this white hot chocolate recipe, follow the steps below included in the printable recipe card. Make sure to refer back to the article for all the helpful tips, topping ideas, and variations.
How to Serve
We love to top our mugs with a few marshmallows and homemade whipped cream. If entertaining, you can’t go wrong with festive sprinkles. You can also take the flavor up another level by swirling in some caramel sauce. Have mercy!
This is also delicious cold! You can melt the white chocolate with the milk, then cool to room temperature. Place in the fridge before serving. Mix in the coffee liqueur and vanilla, serve as is, over ice, or even over coffee ice cubes. So good.
More Dessert Drink Recipes:
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White Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 4 cups whole milk
- 2 cups white chocolate chips (we prefer Ghirardelli for this recipe)
- 1/2 cup coffee liqueur (such as Kahlúa)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place the milk and chocolate chips in a medium-sized saucepot over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips are melted and it comes to a simmer, then immediately take off the heat.
- Add the coffee liqueur and vanilla, stir to combine.
- Pour into glasses.
- Top with your favorite hot chocolate toppings, if desired. We love to add a few marshmallows, homemade whipped cream, and festive sprinkles.NOTE: See below for variations.
