Red Wine Hot Chocolate

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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Recipe

This cocktail recipe was adapted from Winter Warmers: 60 Cosy Cocktails for Autumn & Winter by Jassy Davis.