Smooth, spicy tequila spiked Mexican hot chocolate is a rich, creamy treat that is easy to make and so delicious. This boozy hot cocoa with a hint of cinnamon and cayenne is sure to warm you up on a cold day! (gluten-free)
Calling all hot chocolate lovers AND all tequila lovers - I have the perfect drink to warm you up from the inside out: tequila spiked Mexican hot chocolate. Whether for a special holiday celebration, or just because, this warm, boozy cocktail is perfect for cold winter nights!
Why You'll Love This Hot Chocolate
Smooth and creamy hot chocolate that's incredibly easy to make gets spiced up with a little cinnamon, a kick of cayenne and just a hint of salt for delicious Mexican flair. The combination is just begging for a shot of tequila to round it out, so that's what we've done. It simply doesn't get any better. Bonus points if you're sitting by the fire with someone you love!
Of course, if you're just in the mood for some fabulous spicy hot cocoa without a party, leave out the tequila. The homemade Mexican hot chocolate is just as good sans booze.
The Ingredients
- Milk - Use real dairy milk for the creamiest consistency
- Cocoa powder - I like dark cocoa power for an ultra rich hot chocolate
- Sugar
- Spices - Cinnamon and cayenne
- Salt - Just a pinch of fine salt to offset the sweetness
- Tequila - Use a good quality silver tequila. Smoky Mezcal would also be delicious!
How To Make It
- Whisk the milk, cocoa powder, sugar, spices and salt in a saucepan over medium-low heat until the mixture just barely comes to a boil, then remove from heat and let it cool just a bit.
- Whisk in the tequila, then pour into mugs.
- Top any way you'd like - with whipped cream, marshmallows, a sprinkle of cinnamon, and/or a cinnamon stick.
Tips and Recipe Variations
- Make sure you don't add the tequila until the end, after you've turned off the heat, or else the alcohol will cook out.
- You can use your favorite non-dairy milk, to make it dairy-free, it just may not be as thick or creamy.
- Make sure you're using cayenne pepper, not chili powder. You want the heat, not chile flavor.
- Adjust the amount of spices, salt and/or tequila to suit your taste.
- If you already have hot cocoa mix, prepare three servings, adding the spices and tequila in the same amounts as listed in the recipe.
More Tequila Cocktail Recipes
- The BEST Skinny Margaritas
- Smoky Mezcal Paloma
- Spicy Hatch Chile Margaritas
- Lemongrass Cilantro Margaritas
Did you make this recipe? Please leave a star rating in the comments!
PrintTequila Spiked Mexican Hot Chocolate
Smooth, spicy tequila spiked Mexican hot chocolate is a rich, creamy treat that is easy to make and so delicious. This boozy hot cocoa with a hint of cinnamon and cayenne is sure to warm you up on a cold day! (gluten-free)
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: drink
- Method: stovetop
- Cuisine: Mexican
Ingredients
- 3 cups milk of choice
- 3 tbsp cocoa powder (I like dark cocoa powder)
- 3 tbsp tablespoon granulated sugar
- ⅛ tsp fine sea salt
- ¼ tsp ground cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne pepper
- 3 oz tequila
Instructions
- To make hot chocolate, add all ingredients except for tequila to a small saucepan. Whisk to combine. Heat on low until mixture comes to a gentle boil, stirring.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Add tequila and whisk again.
- Divide hot chocolate among 3 mugs. Top each mug with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon, and/or garnish with cinnamon sticks.
Notes
- Make sure you don't add the tequila until the end, after you've turned off the heat, or else the alcohol will cook out.
- You can use your favorite non-dairy milk, to make it dairy-free, it just may not be as thick or creamy.
- Make sure you're using cayenne pepper, not chili powder. You want the heat, not chile flavor.
- Adjust the amount of spices, salt and/or tequila to suit your taste.
- If you already have hot cocoa mix, prepare three servings on the stove, adding the spices and tequila in the same amounts as listed in the recipe.
- This recipe would also be delicious with mezcal in place of silver tequila.
Keywords: Mexican hot chocolate with tequila, tequila spiked hot chocolate, homemade Mexican hot chocolate
This post was originally published January 2017 and has been updated.
Sherry says
This is SO GOOD!!! I made it with Ghirardelli chocolate, and OH MY! It was heavenly on a cold winter day!
★★★★★
Christine says
Okay, I had some serious doubts about tequila and hot chocolate. But I can’t believe how well this works! I had an Aztec hot chocolate mix already and just added a pinch of cinnamon. So so good.
★★★★★
Robin says
Daughter is having a winter wedding, any suggestions for making this in large quantities?
Kaleigh says
Maybe you could try a slow cooker? Just make sure you don't add the tequila until you're ready to serve to prevent it from cooking out.
Taylor says
Also, where did you get the cuteeee cups with brass holders?
★★★★★
Kaleigh says
HomeGoods, years ago. The brand is Barista & Co.
Ginna says
What kind of cocoa do you use?
Kaleigh says
Any kind of unsweetened cocoa powder should work! I love dark chocolate cocoa powder.
Emily Swanson says
Square marshmallows are so cute, and this literally sounds like the fanciest hot cocoa I've ever heard of!
Kaleigh says
Thanks Emily!
Kelli McGrane says
Oh my goodness, I love everything about these!! Hot chocolate with tequila alone would be delicious but adding cinnamon marshmallows is just so creative!
Kaleigh says
Thanks Kelli! Hope you're staying warm this weekend!