Add This One Ingredient to Your Hot Chocolate (and Thank Me Later)

One winter a few years ago, I sat in the kitchen sipping red wine while my husband, Jake, made store-bought hot chocolate at the stove. We gave each other a knowing look, one that longtime couples share. I half-joked, “We should booze up the hot chocolate.” Jake was intrigued and didn’t complain as I poured a splash of red wine into the small saucepan.

He stirred the thick mixture with a rubber spatula until all the wine had disappeared, then turned off the stove. The hot chocolate flowed like dark, liquid velvet as Jake poured it into our mugs. We let the drinks cool down just a smidge before enjoying them.

“Hey, this is good,” he said, his brows wriggling. Gosh, he was right. Our boozy concoction was surprisingly delicious. The hot chocolate felt transformed and all grown up, with rich, complex flavors that made us smack our lips and come back for more. Each warm sip felt like we were drinking liquid dessert meant for adults.

Why Does Red Wine Blend Well With Hot Chocolate?

We already loved pairing chocolate bars and desserts with red wine, so this last-minute decision just worked out beautifully. The two, after all, share common notes: Wine is tannic, and cocoa is deep and slightly bitter. When warmed together, some of the alcohol dissipates, and all of the wine’s other notes deepen with the warmth from the heat of the stove, similar to mulled wine.

The wine's notes all help brighten the hot chocolate and slice through its richness and decadence. Meanwhile, the cream and sugar in hot chocolate soften the tannins in red wine. You end up with a perfectly harmonic drink that also doubles as a warm hug.

How to Add Wine to Hot Chocolate

If you’re wondering what’s the best red wine to splash into hot chocolate, well, I’m no wine expert, but I feel a fruity pinot noir or a jammy Shiraz would work best. The darker the hot chocolate, the fruitier the red wine should be, to help balance the bitterness, rather than strengthen it. I would personally stick to red wines, but if you’re making a hot white chocolate or a very sweet hot chocolate with milk chocolate, then a buttery Chardonnay might work nicely.

As for how much wine to splash into your hot chocolate, well, that’s really up to you and how much of the wine’s flavor you want. Too much and it can overpower the hot chocolate. Too little and it might be too subtle. Start with two tablespoons of wine per cup of hot chocolate and go from there. Then, be sure to top your adults-only hot chocolate with a mountain of whipped cream, because it will soften the boozy edge while still keeping each sip indulgent and delightful.