Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with Tequila
I have admittedly gone a bit nuts with tequila and warm drinks. This one might be the best yet and for me it seems perfect for sharing it with those you love…warm, chocolate, bit of fire…am I right? I concocted it last Friday night and knew it was a winner so asked some friends over Saturday night to share a mug with me. I now know the response to expect when I mention what I’m making if it’s a warm drink where I include the addition of tequila. To a person, the notion is foreign; even sounds almost bad. That’s how ubiquitous our association of tequila and citrus is…we think it has a citrus taste all the time so it sure doesn’t sound compatible with hot chocolate to most folks.
So…to imagine this drink; you have to disassociate the two. Remove the citrus component and think of tequila by itself; it certainly has a bite to it and it’s that bite that makes it perfect with warm drinks. It’s another level of warmth. The flavor of tequila is not as prevalent as is a very subtle burn…I think you can feel it almost more than taste it. Not a fiery burn but a nice warm tingle that serves to elevate both coffee and hot chocolate drinks substantially. I LOVE it…and so have my friends and family that braved through their notion and discovered a whole new world of warm, tequila based cocktails with me.
I crafted this cocktail with some surefire winners. Maestro Dobel Tequila is a Single Estate, 100% Agave tequila. The crystal clear spirit comes packaged in a heavily embossed bottle that’s simply beautiful. I’ve long lauded the superior quality of a Reposado tequila and this one is no exception.
Dobel Tequila is one of the United States’ fastest growing ultra-premium tequilas; recognized for its superior smoothness and iconic packaging which includes a stopper and a modern twist on a vintage apothecary-style bottle; a heavily embossed design that’s inspired by vintage laboratory glassware used by the Maestro Tequileros (master distillers) in the early part of the last century.
It’s clean tasting, super clear and if you’re not familiar with Reposado tequila, a great one to try. Aged for one year or less, that time is enough to smooth out some of tequila’s rough edges…the difference is evident in all of my cocktails but even more so in this sweet treat. You must try it…and when you do? Gold will be passé, I promise.
I’ve long been a fan of Scharffen Berger chocolates; I can’t deny I was thrilled when they sent me a package of assorted products as a gift; enough that I was able to share some with friends even! I used their Bittersweet chocolate bar for the hot chocolate which made it ultra rich and thick and beyond what you would think of most hot chocolate concoctions; we really almost needed a spoon!
A friend was spot on when he called this dessert; it is super rich chocolate milk combined with cajeta (goat milk caramel), tequila, whipped cream and finished with some Maldon salt flakes. So good. So warm. So you must make it!
I made the caramel a few weeks ago and shared the recipe last week. I used goat milk so it’s called cajeta but use Dulce de Leche or any good caramel sauce; perhaps one you’ve made yourself? This was such a treat; make one for your love sure, but hey…if you’re celebrating the ‘V’ Day alone…certainly make one for yourself!
Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with Tequila
Ingredients
- 2 cups milk at least 2%
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Half of a vanilla bean split or 1 tsp of vanilla or vanilla bean paste
- 5 oz dark chocolate chopped
- 1 Tbsp cocoa
- 2 Tbsp cane demera or brown sugar
- 3 oz caramel sauce
- 3 oz reposado or anejo tequila
- Whipped cream
- Caramel for garnish
- Maldon sea salt
Instructions
- Pour milk into medium saucepan and heat until steaming.
- Remove from heat and add the cinnamon stick, vanilla, chocolate, cocoa and sugar. Turn off heat and let steep for fifteen minutes; allowing time for chocolate to melt.
- Remove cinnamon stick, whisk mixture and return to low heat; continue whisking until hot and frothy.
- Add caramel sauce and whisk until incorporated and warmed.
- Pour the caramel hot chocolate into 2 large mugs.
- To each mug, add 1.5 oz of tequila.
- Top with whipped cream, shaved chocolate, drizzle with caramel and sprinkle with salt.
Now that’s a drink for the cold of winter! Tequila is my alcohol of choice but I never dreamed of putting it in hot chocolate. After looking at your photos, though, it doesn’t take much to win me over! Looks absolutely delicious!
You and a lot of others…including me. I was very apprehensive but you just have to try it. The warmth of the tequila is a great compliment to the warm temp of the cocktail. Try it; you’ll like it!
Yum, freaking YUM! Awesome combonation. Warm tequila….apprehensive….add chocolate….totally on board! Awesome recipe. Thanks for posting this. Will definitely follow you on Pinterest.
Thanks Kathy. I have learned to appreciate tequila in warm drinks; it adds a whole different dimension of warmth!
This seems like the perfect cocktail for a cold evening in February.
OMG really? Omg…. I mean seriously. I can imagine drinking (eating?) one of these in front of a roaring fire with the snow falling outside. Valentine’s Day? Yeah, but even among girlfriends and gossip.
This hot chocolate should be in Webster’s as the definitio of ‘decadent.’ It is SO good. Girlfriends and gossip? Don’t tease me now…you know how much I would love that!
This has to be the most decadent and indulgent hot chocolate I’ve ever seen! I can only imagine how amazing it tastes!! Given how cold it’s been here (ok, not cold really, but cold for CA) I could definitely have gone for one these this weekend!!!
Oh my goodness! I’m thinking this is happening on Valentines Night after the kids are in bed!
Definitely a dessert and a scrumptious one at that 🙂
Yes, it was spoon worthy and at the bottom almost as thick and rich as a pudding. But oh what a FAB pudding. :O
I could go for a sip or two of this! Gorgeous photos.
Thanks so much Erika…my photography is most definitely a work in progress so your kind words are very appreciated.
This has to be the best looking mug of hot chocolate! I love the salted caramel and sea salt topping!
For me it all started with a salted caramel hot chocolate years ago at Starbucks…and there is no looking back is there. Just a great combo; though this might be a tad bit more decadent. 🙂
This has got to be one of the most enticing cups of hot chocolate I’ve ever seen! WOW! Perfect in every ingredient and in the sum of the parts.
Then I have done my job well! It truly is fabulous.
Whoa!! This looks amazing! I love the sound of salted caramel hot chocolate and when you mentioned associating tequila with citrus, I was right with your train of thought. I want to leave my preconceptions at the door and make this ASAP! I haven’t had tequila in a warm drink but it sounds like it’s time to make it happen. Lovely!
You definitely have to try it to see Kate. BTW saw the pic of your goat wellington…made me hungry for one all over and I have a half gallon of milk just waiting to be used! Hope you loved it too.
I have to admit that when I think of hot chocolate with booze that rum or brandy come first to mind. But you make a good case for the tequila – sounds like a fun drink. Maybe add a bit of dried, powdered chile to it too? Just to add heat of another dimension? Anyway, looks terrific – thanks.
Yes, a great idea but I’ve done a hot chocolate drink with heat so kept away this time…this one is fab too; one of my first forays! John – https://creative-culinary.com/mexican-hot-chocolate-with-tequila-and-cayenne-pepper/
What a yum idea to add salted caramel and tequila for a boozy hot cocoa! This would have been a great addition to my post dedicated to hot chocolate (and orange mugs).
Why yes it would have…it’s a truly decadent drink!
Wow -this looks fantastic Barb! It’s summer here and too hot to think about warming beverages, but it’s on my list for the first chilly night of autumn!
Do not forget it; you will not regret it, not one bit!
Since hubby and I rarely drink anything stronger than tea, it’s often hard for me to imagine the flavors of some of the cocktails you concoct, Barb. We are by no means tee-totalers, just almost never think of a cocktail, really. But this one…yeah, I can see this one. Especially for Valentine’s. Although, about a half of one and I’d be under the table 🙂
I think this one cocktail surprised the most folks. One is all you need at most; it’s not just got tequila but it’s SO rich; seems sharing it with your honey would be PERFECT!
This has my name all over it, Barb! I’m drooling over your photos. You’re right, I must make it!
Another great drink to welcome the weekend! Every time I read your posts I am convinced each drink is The BEST one ever…until the next Friday comes along and you continue to top you last creation. Looking forward to tomorrow. A little rain/snow shouldn’t stop us.
Hey if it’s snowing I’ll bring a thermos of these; that will keep us warm if we get stranded right? 🙂
B, love the idea of warm tequila drinks (with chocolate!) and it looks like you have a winning concoction here that I need to try before winter is thru. Reposado is the way to go and I usually purchase Sammy’s tequila, Cabo Wabo Reposado. (I’m totally enamored with the Red Rocker.) But, due to your recommendation, I will try the Dobel Tequila. LOVE the bottle design! Thanks for the recipe! xo
I get so many varieties and it’s been fun to discover brands that I had not previously heard of…this one was a winner.
Yum, and maybe even a toasted marshmallow on top, a good excuse to break out the torch (as if we really need an excuse to play with fire!) Well done!
What do you torch with Mick. I have a small flame thrower but it’s a pain, it’s too small! Is there a kitchen torch that’s bigger than this thing that’s about the size of a garlic press? I hope so; I’ll add that marshmallow in a heartbeat!
This sounds like the perfect little treat for a snowy weekend. It’s about time I crack out the tequila again. I used to be fun.
Perfect it is…let’s hope snow doesn’t spoil tomorrow. I need to get out. I need some fun. I need to see my friends and eat something other than a frozen pot pie. 🙂