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Cocktail History
The Red Wine Hot Chocolate is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in the book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. This indulgent recipe takes the comforting classic of hot cocoa and elevates it with a luxurious twist. Alongside the usual warming blend of milk and powdered cocoa, it incorporates rich dessert wine to add a deep, fruity complexity. It then enhances the flavor with notes of hazelnut and vanilla, creating a layered and velvety drink that feels both indulgent and sophisticated.
Cocktail Ingredients
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:
Milk: This is a nutrient-rich liquid that’s produced by mammals and is high in calcium, protein, and vitamin content. I used Prairie Farm Vitamin D Whole Milk.
Ruby Port: This is a fortified wine made in Portugal with a blend of red grapes. I used Sandeman Fine Ruby Porto.
Hazelnut Liqueur: This is a liqueur made with toasted hazelnuts, vanilla, baking spices, sugar, alcohol, and water. I used Frangelico.
Vanilla Extract: This is a flavoring made with vanilla beans, ethyl alcohol, and water. I used Simply Organic Pure Madagascar Vanilla Extract.
Hot Cocoa Mix: This is a powdered blend made with cocoa powder, sugar, and sometimes powdered milk or other ingredients. I used Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Premium Hot Cocoa Mix.
Marshmallows: This is a confectionery made from sugar, water and gelatin that is whipped to a solid-but-soft consistency. I used Dandies Vegan Gluten-Free Mini Marshmallows.
Grated Chocolate: This is candy made with cocoa, sugar, and milk. I used a Divine Milk Chocolate Bar.
Bartending Tools
To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:
Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface to catch spills, provide grip for glasses and tools, and keep the workspace clean and organized. I used the Highball & Chaser 18×12 Bar Mat.
Jigger: This is a small, double-sided measuring tool that’s used to accurately portion spirits and mixers, typically with one side measuring 1 oz and the other 1.5 or 2 oz. I used the Japanese jigger from the A Bar Above 14-Piece Silver Bar Set.
Saucepan: This is a deep cooking pot with a long handle and lid that’s used for simmering, boiling, and cooking on the stovetop. I used the All-Clad 3-Ply Stainless Steel 3 Quart Sauce Pan.
Spatula: This is a flat, broad kitchen tool that’s used for flipping, scraping, and stirring. I used the OXO Silicone Spatula.
Ladle: This is a large, deep-bowled spoon with a long handle that’s used for serving. I used the OXO Good Grips Silicone Everyday Ladle.
Grater: This is a tool that’s used to finely shred or zest ingredients. I used the OXO Good Grips Grater.
Irish Coffee Mug: This is a heat-resistant glass mug with a sturdy handle and footed base that’s used to serve warm drinks. I used the Libbey Irish Coffee Mug.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.

Tasting Notes
This cocktail has the following flavor profile:
• Appearance: Dark chocolate brown color
• Aroma: Marshmallows and cocoa
• Taste: A warm and cozy chocolate flavor
• Finish: Tangy and dry red wine and dark chocolate notes
Kendall’s Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kendall’s Take: “Never in my wildest dreams would I have put red wine in hot chocolate, but it was surprisingly good! I ended up using port wine instead of Merlot, which is what the original recipe recommended. Plus, I added a little of the Frangelico, so the recipe is pretty different than the original. But this version of the Red Wine Hot Chocolate ended up being incredibly decadent and delicious.”
Recipe
This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning we make a small commission each time you purchase a product using our links. Product images sourced from Amazon Product Advertising API. Amazon affiliate links last updated on 2025-02-09.
Red Wine Hot Chocolate
The Red Wine Hot Chocolate is a Christmas cocktail that was created by Jassy Davis and was first published in the book Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter. The recipe is another delicious take on boozy hot cocoa that adds rich dessert wine, hazelnut, and vanilla to the usual warm mixture of milk and powdered cocoa.

Ingredients
Method
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Whisk hot cocoa mix into milk in a saucepan over medium heat.
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Mix wine, hazelnut liqueur, and vanilla extract in a mug.
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When warm, pour hot cocoa into mug.
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Stir for 5-10 seconds.
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Garnish with marshmallows and grated chocolate.