Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Prepared with whole milk and dark chocolate, this red wine hot chocolate makes a rich and indulgent winter beverage.

What Inspired This Red Wine Hot Chocolate?

A few years ago, winter brought temperatures so frigid that even hardy New Yorkers retreated to the great indoors.

That New Year’s Eve, 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 2018. Instead I made a pot of homemade soup, then cuddled up with a cozy blanket and enjoyed the Times Square television coverage from the comfort of my couch, ringing in the new year with a mug of my homemade red wine hot chocolate.

Why Make Hot Chocolate with Red Wine?

Rich, creamy, and totally over-the-top, this red wine hot chocolate recipe turned out to be the perfect treat for celebrating the new year. But, it’s equally appropriate for warming up all winter long, whether you’re hosting a party or just relaxing in front of the fireplace on a cold evening at home.

Although it’s not the most conventional of pairings, I really enjoy finding ways to combine red wine with dark chocolate. (If you’re a wine-and-chocolate fan like me, you’ll probably also love my red wine truffles recipe!) That said, it’s definitely worth putting some thought into your wine and chocolate combinations. Consider factors like sweetness (overly dry wines can taste bitter when paired with sweeter chocolates), tannin levels (red wines with moderate tannins work best to complement the bitterness of dark chocolate), and acidity (more acidic wines balance out the chocolate’s richer notes).

Good chocolate also makes a big difference in the taste and texture of your finished beverage, so while grocery store chocolate chips will work in a pinch, it’s best to opt for a higher-quality chocolate. For this red wine hot chocolate, I used Grand Aroma dark chocolate from Santa Barbara Chocolate. I’ve also tested this recipe with Callebaut 54.5% dark, but a chocolate from a brand like Guittard or Valrhona will work, too.

One final note: If you do find yourself going the grocery store route, I’d recommend a higher-end supermarket brand like Lindt or Ghirardelli, rather than the chocolate chips you’d use for baking cookies.

Choosing the Best Red Wine for Hot Chocolate

I made my hot chocolate with a Cabernet Sauvignon, and have also tried this recipe with Malbec, but free to experiment to find the wine you like best. Some other ideas include:

• Merlot – Merlot’s smooth texture and flavors of plum and black cherry will enhance the chocolate without overpowering it, while the subtle cocoa undertones of this French wine will complement your chosen chocolate.
• Shiraz – The fruity and peppery notes of this full-bodied wine  pair well with bittersweet and dark chocolate. (This is also one of my favorites for drinking, so it’s easy to use up the rest of the bottle!)
• Pinot Noir – Pinot Noir’s lighter body and berry notes make it a great pairing for chocolates with lower cocoa percentages, while its higher acidity helps to balance out the sweetness.
• Zinfandel – Bold and fruity and a tiny bit spicy, zinfandel works great for this dark hot chocolate. In my grocery store, this is usually one of the more afforadable wines on offer, too.

Note that you might need to adjust the amount of sugar in this recipe, depending on the sweetness of your red wine, and how sweet you like your hot chocolate.

Red Wine Hot Chocolate Recipe Tips and Tricks

This hot chocolate recipe is very easy to make vegan-friendly. Just substitute your favorite non-dairy milk alternative (soy, almond, oat, or coconut milk) and make sure you’re using a dairy-free dark chocolate. (For another option for plant-based guests, try making my vegan hot chocolate recipe, too.)

You can also try this recipe with milk chocolate, or use white or ruby chocolate callets for a delicious pink treat for Valentine’s Day.

Serving and Garnishing Red Wine Hot Chocolate

For parties, I suggest making your red wine hot chocolate on the stovetop, then pouring it into a slow cooker. Place a ladle and mugs nearby, and allow guests to serve themselves throughout the evening. Serve alongside homemade red wine marshmallows

To garnish, you can add a big dollop of whipped cream, or coconut whipped cream; sprinkle with shaved dark chocolate or miniature chocolate chips, or dust your hot chocolate with unsweetened cocoa powder

Make-Ahead and Storage Suggestions

This recipe makes two small mugs of red wine hot chocolate, or one large cup. However, this chocolate red wine drink is very rich, so I recommend using espresso cups or teacups for smaller portions. You can also add more milk to decrease the overall richness of the drink.

While it’s best enjoyed on the day it is made, you can prepare red wine hot chocolate in advance and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.  To reheat, pour desired amount of hot chocolate into a small saucepan and warm over low heat until steaming, or, heat on medium power for 1-2 minutes in a microwave-safe mug.

Other hot chocolate recipes you might enjoy:

Vegan Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
White Hot Chocolate

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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