5 Best Bourbons For Hot Chocolate in 2023 (Recipes Included)

Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin

Nothing warms you inside and out better than a cup of hot chocolate during cold winter nights. But if you wish to add a little liquor to make it extra fun, bourbon might be a great choice to spike your hot chocolate.

However, finding the best bourbon for hot chocolate could be challenging because of too many options. 

Thankfully, our team found the best bourbons that create harmony with the rich chocolate, so read on!

Top 5 Bourbons For Hot Chocolate

5. BSB Brown Sugar Bourbon

ABV: 30%

Average Price: Around $19

What We Liked: We liked that this bourbon has the signature whiskey warmth despite being sweet. It has tasting notes of cinnamon and brown sugar, perfect for hot chocolate. This bourbon is also a perfect sipping bourbon for any season.

It’s made from a mash of malted barley, corn, and rye. It is barreled at less than 125 proof in Charred American oak barrels for two years.

This spiced bourbon has the perfect sweetness to make any hot chocolate taste better.

4. Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream

ABV: 15%

Average Price: Roughly $23

What We Liked: Buffalo Trace Bourbon Cream is handcrafted with Buffalo Trace Kentucky Straight Bourbon and real cream. It’s rich and sweet on the palate, smooth and delicious. The creamy vanilla flavor of this bourbon complements the richness of hot chocolate.

It also has a low alcohol percentage, making it a suitable partner for an easy-drinking, delicious hot chocolate drink.

When this bourbon is topped with a dollop of whipped cream, it will surely be a decadent treat you’ll love to drink over and over again.

3. Bird Dog Bourbon Whiskey

ABV: 44% ABV

Average Price: Around $22

What We Liked: We liked that this bourbon whiskey has light undertones of honey and raisins. It’s smooth and light, making it perfect for spiking the cozy hot cocoa drink. It’s not too sweet, yet it tastes amazing in hot chocolate. 

However, if you want a little sweetness, we recommend adding chocolate shavings and marshmallows to your hot chocolate. We also like that it is affordable. 

The Bird Dog Small Batch Bourbon 7-Year-Old is masterfully crafted using traditional methods and is aged in hand-selected barrels combined in small batches.

Read: Penelope Bourbon Price Guide

2. Bulleit Bourbon

ABV: 45% ABV

Average Price: Roughly $33 

What We Liked: Bulleit bourbon is made from a unique mash bill composed of rye, barley malt, and corn. This bourbon whiskey is smooth with a distinctive spiciness due to its high-rye content. The spicy character gives the hot chocolate a kick that invites another sip.

This affordable bourbon has 45% ABV, so a Bulleit Bourbon Hot Chocolate will warm you up from the inside out! It also has tasting notes of toffee, nutmeg, maple, and oak.

The subtle and complex flavors of this bourbon blend well with the rich and creamy notes of the chocolate. But what’s the best liquor for hot chocolate?

1. Jim Beam Bourbon Cream

ABV: 15%

Average Price: Roughly around $19

What We Liked: Jim Beam Bourbon Cream is rich and velvety, making it ideal for spiking hot chocolate. It’s sweet on the palate and has vanilla, oak, and caramel notes. Its flavors mix beautifully with hot chocolate.

This affordable cream liqueur [2] also gives a warm and fuzzy feeling during cold winter nights.

Aside from being the perfect pair for hot chocolate, you can also enjoy this delicious treat over ice. 

Read: Our Top Bourbons For Boulevardier

Popular Bourbon Hot Chocolate Recipes

Bourbon Hot Spiked Chocolate Recipe

Prep Time: 3 mins

Total Time: 7 mins

Ingredients: 

• 1 cup milk
• 1 tsp. cornstarch
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 2 tsp. brown sugar
• 1 tbsp. cocoa powder
• A dash of salt
• 2 oz. semi-sweet chocolate
• 1 ½ oz bourbon

Instructions: 

In a saucepan, combine cocoa powder, cornstarch, sugar, and salt, and mix them thoroughly until combined—heat on medium-high. Mix until the chocolate is completely melted. 

Next, remove from heat when the chocolate reaches your desired drinking temperature. Stir in vanilla and bourbon. Pour it into a mug. To garnish, you can add whipped cream and a caramel drizzle on top. Serve immediately.

Servings: 1

Salted Bourbon Hot Cocoa Recipe

Prep Time: 5 mins

Total Time: 10 mins

Ingredients: 

• 3 cups of milk of choice
• 1 cup half and half (whole milk and cream)
• ⅓ cup sugar-free sweetener
• 6 oz dark chocolate
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp Kosher salt
• 4 oz bourbon of choice

Instructions: 

In a small pan, heat heavy whipping cream and milk until warm. Stir in chocolate and whisk until it is completely melted. Stir in cinnamon, vanilla, sweetener, and Kosher salt. 

Remove from the heat when it reaches your desired drinking temperature. Stir in the bourbon and transfer to a mug. To garnish, add whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate and salt. Serve and enjoy!

Servings: 1

FAQs

Does bourbon whiskey taste good in hot chocolate?

Yes, bourbon whiskey tastes good in hot chocolate. The flavors of bourbon brilliantly mingle well with the richness and sweetness of the hot chocolate. Most bourbon has strong vanilla notes that pair well with darker chocolates. 

What chocolate type is best paired with bourbon?

Darker chocolate is best for rich and strong bourbon because it provides a counterpoint for robust and sweet bourbons. Meanwhile, milk chocolate goes well with spicy bourbons because their sweetness balances the spice.

So, What’s the Best Bourbon For Hot Chocolate?

Our team chose the Jim Beam Bourbon Cream as the best bourbon for hot chocolate. It’s a limited-edition product that combines sweet, velvety cream liqueur with the world’s finest Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey [1].

We like that the bourbon is light and adds just the right amount of booze for a hot chocolate. It has tasting notes of vanilla, oak, and caramel, creating perfect harmony with the richness and creaminess of the hot chocolate. 

However, while there are a lot of bourbons to choose from, the best bourbon to spike your hot chocolate is the one that matches your taste. So, which bourbon did you like best? Tell us in the comment section below!

References:

1. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jim-beam-releases-limited-edition-bourbon-cream-just-in-time-for-the-holiday-season-301441351.html
2. https://www.britannica.com/topic/liqueur