White Russian Hot Chocolate

December 26th was always my least favorite day of the year. The injury of the let down after all the wonderful holiday festivities was only insulted further by having to work on the 26th. Fortunately, those years are over and I don’t go into an office to work anymore, so the 26th isn’t as awful as it once was. But this year it stinks again! Why? Because, as if 2020 could get any worse, we had a vicious storm rip through our area on Christmas Eve that knocked out the power lines around our home. It was 2 days before we had power back, and another day after that until we had internet and cable. It’s amazing how much you realize you rely on these things when you don’t have them at your fingertips. And how grateful it makes you once you get them back.

We decided that the “real” Christmas was postponed until we got our power back, and the first thing I did when the house was warm and we could turn on a movie again was whip up a batch of this White Russian Hot Chocolate drinks. They satisfy two very important requirements – warmth and booze. It all comes together in a simmering pot of chocolatey deliciousness that’s simply perfect for Christmas break. We make virgin ones for the kids, of course.

What is a White Russian?

If you like White Russians, you’ll love these warm, cozy bevs. There’s Kahlua (a coffee-flavored liqueur), a bit of vodka and that creamy, dreamy chocolate I mentioned. It’s my favorite kind of drink to sip by the fire. White Russians are an alcoholic beverage, but barely. More of a slightly boozy cup of coffee. They’re traditionally made with Kahlua, vodka and cream.

We’re only changing the originally recipe slightly with the addition of homemade, stovetop hot chocolate. Which, in my humble opinion, makes all the difference.

Making hot chocolate on the stove

Making hot chocolate on the stove is really a special treat. I’ll admit, I’ve always been a powdered envelope kind of mom. Kids want hot chocolate all the time in the winter! I never had the time to actually make it on the stove. A packet of hot cocoa mix was what they got. But I always noticed it was kind of weak.

The stove top version is head and shoulders above anything that comes out of an envelope. And it only takes about five minutes. You’ll bring water, sugar and cocoa powder to a boil on the stove. Then, just reduce the heat and stir in the milk.

Any kind of milk will work. I usually use skim because that’s what we keep in the house, but the fuller fat versions will surely yield an even creamier and more indulgent White Russian Hot Chocolate.

Whichever type of milk you use, just don’t skip the whipped cream on top. How could anyone dream of doing that? Sacrilege. I wish you warmth, coziness and lots of electricity and cable! Enjoy!

White Russian Hot Chocolate

A stove top version of creamy hot chocolate with a touch of vodka and coffee-flavored liquor

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Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 10 mins

Total Time 15 mins

Course Drinks

Cuisine American

Servings 2

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1/4 cup cocoa powder
• 4 cups milk
• 2 shots vodka
• 1 shot Kahlua
• whipped cream for garnish

Instructions

 

• In a small saucepan, bring the water, sugar and cocoa to a boil. Stir constantly for 2 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in the milk.
• Remove from heat and pour into individual mugs. Add the vodka and Kahlua. Top with whipped cream.

Keyword cocktail, easy

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