Jump to Recipe

Candy Cane Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

If there is one drink that feels like Christmas in a mug, it is this Candy Cane Hazelnut Hot Chocolate. It is warm, creamy, chocolatey, a little nutty from the Frangelico, and finished with just enough peppermint to give it that classic candy cane flavor.

I love making cozy drinks like this during the Christmas season, especially when I want something that feels more like dessert than a traditional cocktail. If you love festive chocolate drinks, you should also try my Dirty Snowman Hot Chocolate Cocktail or my Peppermint Espresso Martini. Both are perfect for holiday entertaining.

A Cozy Christmas Hot Chocolate Cocktail

This is definitely not your basic hot chocolate.

The combination of rich hot chocolate, hazelnut liqueur, vanilla vodka, and peppermint creates such a delicious holiday flavor. The hazelnut gives the drink a warm, almost Nutella-like flavor, while the peppermint keeps everything tasting festive and Christmassy.

Then, of course, I top the whole thing with whipped cream and crushed candy canes because Christmas drinks should always be a little extra!

This would be such a fun drink to serve while decorating the tree, watching Christmas movies, hosting a cookie exchange, or having friends over for a holiday night at home.

Why You’ll Love This Candy Cane Hazelnut Hot Chocolate

One of my favorite things about this recipe is how easy it is.

You do not need a cocktail shaker or any special equipment. Make your favorite hot chocolate, stir in the peppermint syrup, Frangelico, and vanilla vodka, and you’re basically done.

The toppings are where you can really make it look special. I love a big swirl of whipped cream with crushed candy canes sprinkled over the top. You could even add a whole mini candy cane to the mug for serving.

If you’re putting together an entire Christmas cocktail menu, this would be so pretty served alongside my Christmas Rose Spritz for guests who want something lighter and bubbly.

The Hazelnut and Peppermint Combination

Hazelnut and chocolate are already such a good combination, but adding peppermint completely transforms this into a holiday drink.

Frangelico has that sweet toasted hazelnut flavor that blends perfectly into hot chocolate without overpowering it. The vanilla vodka adds a little extra sweetness and warmth, while just a teaspoon of peppermint syrup gives you that candy cane flavor.

I wouldn’t go too heavy on the peppermint. You still want to taste the chocolate and hazelnut underneath it.

Perfect for Christmas Parties

This Candy Cane Hazelnut Hot Chocolate would be adorable for a Christmas party or holiday girls’ night.

Set up a little hot chocolate station with whipped cream, crushed candy canes, mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and extra candy canes. Guests can decorate their own mugs after you prepare the hot chocolate.

For an adults-only holiday cocktail night, you could serve this later in the evening alongside a dessert cocktail like my Chocolate Hazelnut Espresso Martini. The chocolate and hazelnut flavors tie the two drinks together perfectly.

What Kind of Hot Chocolate Should I Use?

Use whichever hot chocolate you already love.

You can make homemade hot chocolate or use your favorite hot cocoa mix. I prefer something rich and creamy for this recipe because it balances the alcohol and gives the drink more of that dessert-cocktail feel.

Just make sure the hot chocolate is nice and hot before adding everything together.

Can I Make It Without Alcohol?

Absolutely. For an alcohol-free version, leave out the Frangelico and vanilla vodka.

You can add a little hazelnut coffee syrup along with the peppermint syrup to recreate that chocolate-hazelnut flavor without the alcohol.

That also makes it easy to create one hot chocolate station for everyone and keep the alcohol on the side for the adults.

The Ultimate Cozy Christmas Drink

This Candy Cane Hazelnut Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy, warm, and loaded with some of my favorite holiday flavors.

Between the chocolate, hazelnut, vanilla, peppermint, whipped cream, and crushed candy canes, it tastes like Christmas dessert in a mug.

Make one for a cozy night at home or serve them to friends at your next holiday party. Either way, this is definitely one of those Christmas drinks you’ll want to make more than once during the season.