10 Adult Hot Drink Recipes to Enjoy

You cannot go wrong with a hot drink on a chilly winter’s day.

You also can’t go wrong with a sip of your favourite alcoholic drink.

Enhancing your hot drink by adding a splash (or two) of alcohol, can make your hot drink experience just that little bit more sophisticated. And transform your otherwise very ordinary hot chocolate into a very appealing adult drink.

You don’t need have the expertise of a barista to make these recipes. The methods are stress-free, and most likely require ingredients already in your kitchen.

DESIblitz brings you 10 hot drink recipes to try out.

1. Hot Toddy

Hot Toddy is made up of liquor and hot water. You can add spices and herbs to give it an extra zing. It’s perfect if you are in the mood for something zesty.

Ingredients:

• Boiling water
• cloves
• 1 lemon twist
• 2tsp sugar or brown sugar
• Lemon juice
• Whiskey (you can use Scotch, Irish whiskey or Bourbon and Rye as an alternative to whiskey)

Method:

1. Boil water and fill into a mug. Let it stand for 1-2 minutes to warm. This is to pre-heat the mug.
2. Whilst you’re letting the water stand, stick the cloves into the lemon twist.
3. Pour out the water and add 1/2 mug worth of boiling water.
4. Add the sugar and stir to dissolve.
5. Add the prepared lemon twist and stir.
6. Add the lemon juice and whiskey, and stir again.

2. Irish Coffee

This is essentially brewed hot coffee with an Irish twist – whiskey.

It’s super simple to make, and you can enrich it by adding some cream on the top.

Ingredients:

• 115g freshly brewed hot coffee
• 1 tbsp brown sugar
• 3 tbsp Irish whiskey
• Heavy cream, slightly whipped

Method:

1. Fill a mug with hot water to preheat it, and then empty it.
2. Pour piping hot coffee into warmed glass until it is about 3/4 full.
3. Add the brown sugar and stir until completely dissolved.
4. Blend in Irish whiskey.
5. Add whipped, heavy cream on top of the drink by pouring gently over the back of a spoon.

3. Hornitos Hot Shotty

This is a very boozy Mexican drink. It brings together the classic hot chocolate with Tequila. Chilli powder can be used to spice up the drink.

Ingredients:

• 28ml Hornitos Añejo Tequila (normal tequila can also be used)
• 113ml hot chocolate
• Whipped cream
• Chilli powder (optional)

Method:

1. Make a normal hot chocolate.
2. Add the tequila and hot chocolate to a half-pint glass.
3. Enhance with a dollop of whipped cream and a dash of chili powder to give it an extra kick.

4. Hot Buttered Rum

Hot Buttered Rum is rich with flavour. This drink is commonly associated with the holiday season due to its festive, buttery taste.

Ingredients:

• 142ml rum
• 1 tbsp hot buttered rum batter
• Boiling water

Method:

1. Add the rum and batter to a mug.
2. Fill with boiling water and stir.

5. Grand Coffee

The Grand Coffee will give you the kick of caffeine from the coffee, and kick from the orange flavoured Grand Marnier.

Ingredients:

• 28ml Grand Marnier, warmed
• 85ml hot brewed coffee
• 2tbsp whipped cream
• Brown sugar syrup (if desired)

Method:

1. Pour all the ingredients into a mug.
2. Spoon whipped cream on top.
3. Add brown sugar if desired

6. Pumpkin Spice Margarita

Pumpkin Spice Lattes are the huge craze amongst the youngsters in the festive season. Add Margarita to the mix, and it becomes a fun, adult hot drink.

Ingredients:

• 57 ml tequila
• 113 ml cream
• 2 tbsp pumpkin spice syrup
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1 tbsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp pumpkin spice
• 338 ml hot coffee

Method:

1. Combine cream, sugar, pumpkin spice syrup, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla extract in a cup and stir
2. Pour this mixture into the coffee and add tequila.
3. You can add whipped cream and cinnamon if you wish.

7. Baileys Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate is the go-to hot drink for the winter. Chuck in a splash of Baileys, and you will be greeted with the velvety taste of Baileys mixed with indulgent hot chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 56ml Baileys Original Irish Cream
• Hot chocolate drink
• Fresh whipped cream
• Crumbled or flaked chocolate

Method:

1. Make your hot chocolate
2. Pour baileys into the hot chocolate
3. Float the whipped cream on top
4. You can sprinkle flakes of chocolate if you wish

8. Salted Caramel Vodka Hot Chocolate

Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is already an adaptation of the classic hot chocolate. Adding vodka to the mix makes this hot chocolate far from innocent.

Ingredients:

• 370ml of milk
• 80g of dark chocolate, broken into small pieces
• Generous pinch sea salt
• 56ml caramel vodka (or any flavoured spirit of your choice)
• 1 tbsp of double/heavy cream

Method:

1. Heat milk in a small saucepan until it is just about to boil.
2. Take it off the heat and add the chocolate and the salt.
3. Stir with a wooden spoon until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture has thickened.
4. Add more salt to taste.
5. When all the chocolate has melted, stir in the vodka and the double cream.
6. Pour into mugs, and top with some whipped cream if you want.

9. Peppermint Patty

Get that minty-fresh feeling with the Peppermint Patty. The peppermint schnapps add a buzz to the hot chocolate mixture.

Ingredients:

• 450 ml milk
• 112 ml hot chocolate mix
• 56 ml peppermint schnapps, plus more as needed
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Sprinkles, for topping

Method:

1. Heat milk over medium heat in a saucepan until it’s steamy (should take around 5 minutes)
2. Once milk starts to steam, whisk in hot chocolate mix.
3. Continue cooking two to three minutes
4. Do not boil the mixture.
5. Remove from heat and whisk in 1/4 cup of peppermint schnapps.
6. Ladle mixture into glasses, and top with whipped cream and sprinkles.

10. Bittersweet Hot Chocolate with Red Wine

Nothing says ‘I have class’, than adding red wine to hot chocolate. The wine compliments the taste of the bittersweet chocolate.

Ingredients:

• 170g bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 75 ml fruity red wine (such as Pinot Noir, Shiraz or Beaujolais)
• 225 ml milk
• Pinch of salt

Method:

1. Bring chocolate and wine to a simmer in a saucepan over low heat
2. Cook and whisk until melted (about 3 minutes)
3. Add 2/3 cup of water, milk, and salt; bring to a boil, and cook, while whisking 3 minutes more.

These drinks add to the classic hot drinks that we are so used to every year.

There’s no harm in adding a little alcohol to give it an extra oomph. It is 5 o’clock somewhere after all!