Chocolate Cocktail Recipes
By Peyton Whittington Published January 2024
Willy Wonka has absolutely NOTHING on us. We’ve rounded up 10 of the richest, most decadent and cocoa-liscious chocolate cocktails we could find just for the true chocoholics.
Keep scrolling for the most delicious chocolate cocktail recipes, ranging from subtle chocolate flavor to chocolate overload. No golden ticket required.
Baileys Chocolate Raspberry Martini
Chocolate and strawberries are a top tier duo, but don’t sleep on a raspberry and chocolate pairing, like this luscious tequila and Irish cream martini.
![Baileys Chocolate Raspberry Martini](https://images.salsify.com/image/upload/s--_UXe-bH---/w_450,h_680,c_pad/waduamb98bjjlfmhgxp3.jpg)
The Recipe:
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Berry jelly
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2 ounces Baileys Chocolate Irish Cream
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1 ounce Don Julio Blanco Tequila
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½ ounce simple syrup
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5 fresh raspberries
In a glass, swipe berry jelly inside and set aside. In a shaker, add 2 raspberries and muddle. Add ice, Irish cream, tequila and simple syrup. Shake and double strain into prepared glass. Garnish with a skewer of remaining raspberries.
Three Olives Cocoa Bliss
Isn’t it kind of messed up that we enjoy hot chocolate during the holidays but mostly ditch it after the new year? Get cozy with this spiked hot chocolate recipe all year long. If “bliss” is in the cocktail name, you can’t go wrong.
![Three Olives Cocoa Bliss](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-threeOlivesCocoaBliss1.jpg)
The Recipe:
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Chocolate syrup
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2 ounces Three Olives Vodka
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5 ounces hot chocolate
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Grated cinnamon
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Chocolate chips
Line the inside of a mug with chocolate syrup. Add vodka and hot chocolate. Gently stir to combine. Garnish with whipped cream, grated nutmeg and chocolate chips.
Elijah Craig Chocolate & Cherry Manhattan
If you’re more of a “hint of chocolate” person than a “chocolate overload” person, this chocolate cherry Manhattan is the way to go. The kiss of chocolatey richness from the chocolate bitters complements the drink’s dark cherry flavors perfectly.
![Elijah Craig Chocolate & Cherry Manhattan](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-elijahCraigChocolateCherryManhattan.jpg)
The Recipe:
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2 ounces Elijah Craig Straight Rye Whiskey
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¾ ounce Martini Sweet Vermouth
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¾ ounce Filthy Black Cherry Syrup
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5 dashes chocolate bitters
In a mixing glass with ice, add whiskey, sweet vermouth, cherry syrup and chocolate bitters. Stir until well chilled. Strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with a cherry.
Ruby Alexander
For the adventurous sippers, try this creamy, intriguingly flavorful cocktail with elderflower rose gin, white creme de cacao and port wine. Go ahead, tell your guests you came up with the recipe yourself. We won’t tattle.
![Ruby Alexander](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-rubyAlexander.jpg)
The Recipe:
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½ ounce Croft Reserve Ruby Port
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1 ounce half and half
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Grated cinnamon
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Grated chocolate
In a shaker with ice, add gin, white cream de cacao, ruby port and half and half. Shake and strain into a chilled glass. Garnish with grated cinnamon and chocolate.
Cold Brew Velvet Mudslide
Alright, it’s time to kick it up a notch with some caffeinated cocktails. This delectable whiskey-based cocktail with amaretto cream and cold brew liqueur is creamy, bitter, rich and right on time.
![Cold Brew Velvet Mudslide](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-coldBrewVelvetMudslide.jpg)
The Recipe:
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Chocolate syrup
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1 ounce Busker Irish Whiskey Blend
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1 ounce Disaronno Velvet Cream Liqueur
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Cinnamon stick
Rim a glass with chocolate syrup. Add ice, Irish whiskey, cream liqueur and coffee liqueur. Garnish with a cinnamon stick.
Disaronno Velvet Chocolate Espresso Martini
Keeping with the caffeinated cocktail theme, give this recipe a try if you’re mad about espresso martinis (and chocolate, of course)!
![Disaronno Velvet Chocolate Espresso Martini](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-disaronnoVelvetChocolateEspressoMartini.jpg)
The Recipe:
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1 ounce Disaronno Velvet Cream Liqueur
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1 ½ ounces cold espresso
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½ ounce Madagascar vanilla syrup
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2 dashes chocolate bitters
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Chocolate shavings
In a shaker, add coffee liqueur, cream liqueur, espresso, vanilla syrup and chocolate bitters. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
Tiramisu Espresso Martini
If your favorite dessert is tiramisu, this cocktail is an absolute must. There are a few extra steps involved but trust us: it’s SO worth it.
![Tiramisu Espresso Martini](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-818TiramisuEspressoMartini.jpg)
The Recipe:
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2 ounces 818 Reposado Tequila
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1 ¼ ounces espresso
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¾ ounce Cayman Reef Kona Coffee Liqueur
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2-3 dashes chocolate bitters
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Tiramisu whip*
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Cocoa powder, unsweetened
*Tiramisu Whip
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1 tablespoon mascarpone cheese
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1 ½ tablespoons heavy cream
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1 tablespoon powdered sugar
For the tiramisu whip: In a chilled bowl with an electric mixer, add mascarpone cheese, heavy cream and powdered sugar. Whip together until you get a dense consistency.
For the cocktail: In a shaker with ice, add tequila, espresso, coffee liqueur and chocolate bitters. Shake vigorously and strain into a glass. Top with tiramisu whip and dust entire cocktail with a layer of cocoa powder.
Opera Cocktail
This is another one that takes a little elbow grease to whip up, but it’s well worth the effort. Why is it called an Opera Cocktail? Because after tasting this drink made with high quality rum and topped with Dalgona coffee, you’ll be singing its praises.
![Opera Cocktail](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-operaCocktail.jpg)
The Recipe:
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2 ounces Ron Añejo Carúpano 12 Year Rum
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2 ounces cocoa syrup
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Dalgona whipped coffee*
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Dark chocolate shavings
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Pound cake, toasted and cubed
*Dalgona Whipped Coffee
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2 tablespoons granulated sugar
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2 tablespoons instant coffee
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2 tablespoons cold water
For the Dalgona whipped coffee: In a bowl with a hand mixer or whisk, add sugar, coffee and water. Vigorously whisk until the mixture turns silky smooth and holds its foamy shape.
For the cocktail: In a shaker with ice, add rum and cocoa syrup. Shake and strain into a martini glass. Top with Dalgona coffee, dark chocolate shavings and toasted poundcake.
Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini
Ok, but back to chocolate covered strawberries — they’re a classic for a reason. Make the drinkable version with this decadent bourbon and white chocolate Irish cream martini.
![Chocolate Covered Strawberry Martini](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-chocolateCoveredStrawberryMartini.jpg)
The Recipe:
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Hershey’s Dark Chocolate Shell Syrup
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2 strawberries
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1 ½ ounces Michaels White Chocolate Irish Cream Liqueur
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1 ounce half and half
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½ to 1 ounce simple syrup (depending on your sweetness preference)
Rim the edge of a glass in chocolate syrup and swirl it on the inside. Set aside in the freezer to chill. Dice one strawberry and place in the bottom of a shaker. Muddle, then add bourbon, white chocolate liqueur, half and half and simple syrup to taste. Shake vigorously. Strain into prepared glass and garnish with an upside-down strawberry slice.
Carolans Chocolatini
Rounding out this round-up is this true chocolate lover’s dream; a grown-up chocolate milkshake, if you will. The more chocolate sauce, the better.
![Carolans Chocolatini](/file/general/chocolate-cocktail-carolansChocolatini.jpg)
The Recipe:
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Chocolate syrup
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1 ½ ounces Carolans Irish Cream
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¾ ounce Alpine Blu Vodka
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¾ ounce Charles Regnier Creme De Cacao
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Chocolate shavings
Rim a glass with chocolate sauce and set in the freezer to chill. In a shaker with ice, add Irish cream, vodka and cream de cacao. Shake and strain into chilled prepared glass. Garnish with chocolate shavings.
So, chocoholics: which recipe caught your eye? Whichever you pick, we’re certain you’ll like it a choco-lot. Pick up everything you need to mix up these cocktails and more at your local ABC Fine Wine & Spirits or online at abcfws.com.