Beverages Chocolate Hot Chocolate Recipes

Decadent Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Red wine hot cocoa recipe

Original post published January 1, 2018. Last updated on December 12th, 2023.

Happy New Year, everyone!

Yesterday brought frigid temperatures to New York City. At one point in the afternoon I made a four-block walk to the drugstore, completely bundled up, and by the time I got home my nose and my toes were frozen solid. I thought briefly of the revelers in Times Square, many of whom had begun lining up early that day, and wondered why anyone would choose to ring in the new year with a case of frostbite.

So, needless to say, I was not “out and about” on New Year’s Eve. Instead I made a pot of homemade vegetable soup, then cuddled up with a cozy blanket. I enjoyed the Times Square television coverage from the comfort of my couch, and rung in 2018 with a mug of red wine hot chocolate.

This boozy recipe is rich, creamy, and decadent. It’s the perfect treat for celebrating the new year, or for warming up on a cold winter’s day! And, since we’re likely to face (too) many of those days over the next few months, I feel like I’ll be making red wine hot chocolate a LOT.

This recipe will make two small mugs of cocoa, or one large cup. However, this drink is very rich, so I recommend using espresso cups or teacups for smaller portions. To decrease the richness of the cocoa, additional milk may be added as well.

Red wine hot chocolate, marshmallows, and bottle of red wine

Red wine hot chocolate in a mug with two marshmallows

Red wine hot chocolate in a mug surrounded by marshmallows and chocolate chips

Red Wine Hot Chocolate Variations

This recipe is very easy to make vegan-friendly. Just sub in your favorite non-dairy milk alternative (soy, almond, or coconut milk) and make sure you’re using a dark chocolate which is dairy-free.

Try milk chocolate! Or, use white or ruby chocolate for a delicious pink treat that would work perfectly for Valentine’s Day!

I made my hot chocolate with a Cabernet Sauvignon, and have also made it with Malbec. However, any number of red wines would work nicely. Feel free to experiment. Note that you might need to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe, depending on the sweetness of your red wine, and how sweet you like your hot chocolate.

Grand Aroma dark chocolate from Santa Barbara Chocolate was quite tasty in this recipe, as was the version I made with Callebaut 54.5% dark. You could also try something like Guittard or Valrhona. Better-quality chocolate will make all the difference here, although grocery store chocolate chips will also work in a pinch. (If going the grocery store route I’d still recommend choosing a higher-end chocolate like Lindt or Ghirardelli, rather than the kind you’d use to make chocolate chip cookies!)

More hot beverage recipes you might enjoy:

Easy Mulled Wine
White Hot Chocolate with Bailey’s Whipped Cream

And if you make this red wine hot chocolate, or any of my recipes, be sure to tag me @bastecutfold and include the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

Boozy hot chocolate with marshmallows on top

Boozy hot chocolate with marshmallows on top, in a white mug

Red wine hot chocolate in a white mug

Red wine hot chocolate in a white mug

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Red wine hot cocoa recipe

Decadent Red Wine Hot Chocolate


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  • Author: becky
  • Total Time: 10 minutes
  • Yield: 1-4 servings, depending on mug size 1x

Description

A boozy hot chocolate recipe, perfect for warming up on a cold winter day!


Ingredients

Scale

185 milliliters whole milk (3/4 cup)
125 milliliters red wine, such as cabernet or merlot (1/2 cup)
75 g good-quality chopped dark chocolate, or chocolate callets (1/2 cup)
1 teaspoon granulated sugar (or to taste)
1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
Pinch fine sea salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract


Instructions

Combine chopped chocolate, milk, red wine, sugar, cocoa powder, and sea salt in a small saucepan. Simmer on the stovetop over medium heat, whisking gently, for five minutes or until chocolate is thoroughly melted.

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.

Pour hot chocolate into mugs and serve immediately.

 

Notes

As written, this recipe will make two smaller mugs of cocoa (think average-sized mug, about 3/4 full), or one large mug. However, this drink is very rich, and best enjoyed in small quantities! I recommend serving in small teacups or espresso cups to increase the number of portions. To decrease the richness of the cocoa, additional milk may be added as well.

Recipe can easily doubled or tripled for a larger group!

This recipe is easy to make vegan-friendly. Just sub in your favorite non-dairy milk alternative, such as soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk. Also make sure you’re using a dark chocolate which is dairy-free.

I’ve made this recipe with Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon, and both are delicious. Any number of red wines would work nicely here, so feel free to experiment. Note that you might need to adjust the amount of sugar in the recipe, depending on the sweetness of your red wine.

  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 5 minutes
  • Category: Beverages
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: Dessert

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