12 Days of Drinkmas 🍫 Day 12: Drunken Hot Chocolate

French-style hot chocolate, often referred to as chocolat chaud à l’ancienne, is defined by restraint and richness rather than sweetness. Traditionally made with high-quality dark chocolate and milk — sometimes with a touch of cream, it’s thick, intense, and unapologetically grown. Unlike powdered or overly sweet versions, French hot chocolate is designed to be sipped slowly, coating the palate and lingering long after each mouthful. It’s less about comfort through sugar and more about indulgence through depth.

The Drunken Hot Chocolate takes that classic French approach and pushes it into cocktail territory. Real dark chocolate forms the backbone, supported by dairy and espresso to enhance bitterness and structure. Bourbon or dark rum is introduced not to sweeten, but to warm and elongate the flavour, adding complexity without distraction. Finished with alcohol-infused whipped cream, this drink stays true to its French roots while embracing winter indulgence — rich, deliberate, and meant to be taken seriously.

Ingredients

• 200ml Thick Drinking Chocolate

(90g Dark Chocolate, 150ml Whole Milk, 50ml Double Cream, Cocoa Powder, Espresso, Sugar)

• 40ml Bourbon or Dark Rum

• Alcohol-Infused Whipped Cream

Method

1. Gently heat the chocolate base over low heat, stirring until smooth and glossy.

2. Remove from heat and stir in bourbon or rum.

3. Pour into a heatproof mug.

4. Top with alcohol-infused whipped cream and a light dusting of cocoa or spice.

✨Moe’s Tip

French-style hot chocolate should feel almost excessive — if it’s easy to drink, it’s not rich enough.