Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (2024)

Published: · Modified: by Mamma C · This post may contain affiliate links

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Here's a Chocolate Liqueur Recipe from Italy that you'll love! Pour this chocolate alcohol over cheesecake or ice cream, add it to your coffee or drink it straight! This homemade liqueur makes the perfect gift!

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (1)

Just in time for the holidays, I give you homemade chocolate liqueur. To pour over your cheesecake, ice cream, homemade waffles or strawberries. To drizzle into your coffee, hot cocoa or shot glass.

Can I get an Amen?

This recipe is straight from Italy, my friends. It's a chocolate lover's dream, turning plain anything into a special treat with a little somethin' somethin' to warm you up.

We enjoy this every time we go to Connecticut to visit my in-laws. All of us, even the kids (the big ones), giddily pour it on our dessert every night.

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (2)

It's a great way to cap off a delicious meal. Who cares if it takes us a little longer to get up and do the dishes?

This chocolate cello would make a great host/hostess gift or present for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years...oooh, and Valentine's Day is not far away. But anyone who loves chocolate and alcohol would enjoy this all year.

What's chocolate liqueur?

It's heaven in a bottle, Baby. Seriously, it's a sweetened, chocolate-flavored alcoholic beverage that has a rich consistency. Think of it as chocolate sauce for adults.

This chocolate liqueur recipe calls for just five ingredients:

  • granulated sugar
  • unsweetened cocoa
  • whole milk
  • grain alcohol (we use Everclear 151)
  • vanilla extract

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (3)

This yields about 12.5 cups of liqueur (100 servings), so don't be alarmed about the quantity of sugar. The drink will be pleasantly sweet, but you'll mostly taste chocolate with alcohol.

What can you substitute for Everclear?

For homemade chocolate liqueur, it's important to use a clear, unflavored, grain alcohol with a high alcohol content (proof). If you can't find Everclear 151, use plain, 100-proof vodka.

Liquor vs. liqueur

Liquor usually refers to a distilled alcohol without any flavoring. Think vodka, whiskey or rum.

Once that base alcohol is mixed with sugar and strong flavoring, it becomes liqueur. Liqueur is usually enjoyed after dinner with dessert.

It's important to note that chocolate liquor actually contains no alcohol. Chocolate liquor is the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) term used in chocolate manufacturing. It refers to the pure cocoa mass produced from finely grinding cacao nibs.

How to make chocolate liqueur

  1. Whisk cocoa and sugar in a large pot.
  2. Gradually whisk in whole milk.
  3. Stir constantly over medium heat. Chocolate foam will form on the surface.
  4. Continue stirring until the foam disappears. The consistency will be thick like pudding that hasn't set.
  5. Let the chocolate mixture cool, then refrigerate it for 12 hours before stirring in the vanilla. Wait an hour, then stir in the alcohol.
Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (4)

Your chocolate liqueur will be ready to transfer to bottles!

Bottles & equipment needed

Here are the types of items you'll need to make this recipe. All of these are affiliate links. As an Amazon associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Storage

This chocolate liqueur contains milk and will need to be stored in closed bottles or jars in the refrigerator or freezer. It can stay in the refrigerator for up to six months.

For longer storage, you can freeze the chocolate liqueur and thaw it in the refrigerator when you're ready to enjoy it. In any case, shake the bottle before pouring.

Final thoughts

This is a great recipe to start in the evening, so you can let the chocolate mixture chill overnight. Then you can finish making it the next day.

This really is the best chocolate liqueur, whether you want to use it as a cheesecake topping, drizzle it over easy fried ice cream or sip it in a stemmed glass! I hope you love it as much as we do.

Salute!

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (5)

More drinks recipes

If you're looking for other holiday drinks, try Coquito or Cherry Amaretto Sour. You also might enjoy my hubby's Apple Pie Moonshine Recipe and his Lemonade Moonshine Drink, both made with Everclear.

And don't miss this iced tea cocktail!

Enjoy!

(Recipe Source: My sister-in-law Flora, who got it from her sister Maria in Italy. Originally published on December 18, 2014 and updated now with new photos and text.)

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (6)

Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe

An easy recipe for luscious chocolate liqueur to enjoy as a drink or drizzle over your ice cream, cheesecake, crepes, etc. Try it in coffee too! Note that when making it, you'll need 12 hours to chill the chocolate mixture, so overnight works well.

4.30 from 31 votes

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: Italian

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 30 minutes minutes

resting time: 13 hours hours 30 minutes minutes

Total Time: 13 hours hours 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 100 (Makes about 12.5 cups)

Calories: 87kcal

Author: Mamma C

Ingredients

Liqueur

  • 3 ¼ pounds granulated sugar (7 ⅓ cups)
  • 10 ½ ounces unsweetened cocoa powder (3 ½ cups; see notes)
  • ½ gallon whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 17 ounces grain alcohol (such as Everclear 151 proof)

Equipment

  • 6-quart pot
  • whisk
  • funnel
  • ladle
  • glass bottles (12 (8.5 -oz) or 6 (16-oz)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • In a tall pot, combine the cocoa and sugar with a whisk. Add milk a little at a time, stirring as you go.

  • Place the pot over medium heat on the stove, stirring constantly. After a few minutes, foam will form on the surface. (If you still don't see foam, increase the heat a bit.)

  • Continue stirring constantly until the foam disappears. It will take about 25-30 minutes from the time you first placed the pot on the stove. (If the foam hasn't disappeared completely after 30 minutes, you can use a slotted spoon to scrape off the foam and discard it.) The mixture will look like chocolate pudding that hasn't set.

  • Turn off the heat and set the pot on a different burner to cool for 30-60 minutes before placing it, covered, in the refrigerator for 12 hours.

  • After the chocolate mixture has chilled, stir in the vanilla. Then, after one hour (the pot can stay out during that time) stir in the alcohol.

  • Have your clean glass bottles next to the pot. To fill each bottle, place a funnel in it and ladle in enough liqueur to fill it almost to the top. Cap or cork your bottles and store them in the refrigerator for up to six months or in the freezer for longer. Thaw frozen liqueur in the refrigerator.

  • To serve, shake the bottle first and then pour in your glass, coffee, or over your dessert.

Video

Notes

If you can't find Everclear, substitute 100-proof vodka.

Dry ingredients like cocoa are measured by weight, and this ingredient has a different conversion rate to cups. 10 ½ ounces of cocoa equals 3 ½ cups.

Nutrition

Calories: 87kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 9mg | Potassium: 70mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 31IU | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 1mg

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Amazing Chocolate Liqueur Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between chocolate liquor and chocolate liqueur? ›

Chocolate liquor: Thick paste-like mass made of pure cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Made from cocoa beans. Doesn't contain alcohol. Chocolate liqueur: Beverage made from a base liquor like whiskey or vodka (containing alcohol) to which chocolate is added.

Does chocolate liqueur need to be refrigerated? ›

Storing Your Chocolate Liqueur

But no matter the liquid, there are similar factors that will impact the quality of your drink, including light, temperature, and air, so selecting a spot that will remain consistently cool and dry (room temperature is totally fine) will prevent flavor degradation.

What happened to Godiva chocolate liqueur? ›

And while Godiva may be the name that comes to mind when you think of chocolate liqueur, we would like to take this opportunity to remind you that while it remains in the market in some places, Godiva discontinued it's chocolate liqueur years ago.

What is chocolate liqueur good for? ›

While chocolate liqueur or crème de cacao function frequently in dessert cocktails, many modern cocktails also employ them as an ingredient to add depth, or to riff on non-chocolate, non-dessert classics.

Why is Godiva discontinued? ›

Sad news: Godiva will close all its shops in the United States and Canada by March. The company said sales dropped due to a decline of in-person shopping and a change in buying habits during the pandemic. Nurtac Afridi, Godiva's new CEO, was appointed in December 2020.

What is Godiva chocolate liqueur made of? ›

Likely, it's a neutral grain spirit (similar to vodka) because the alcohol taste is very subtle. Obviously, Godiva chocolate is a key ingredient, and the milk and white chocolate liqueurs contain some dairy products.

Can you drink chocolate liqueur by itself? ›

Chocolate liqueur can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. It can be sipped on its own as a dessert drink, added to coffee or hot chocolate for a decadent twist, or used as a key ingredient in cocktails such as chocolate martinis or creamy chocolate-based drinks.

Can you drink Baileys 3 years out of date? ›

Does Bailey's Irish Cream go bad or expire? Generally as long as you don't subject it to temperature extremes it will last well beyond the official 2 year "best taste before" date. Over time the taste will change and the liquid tends to go a bit darker but only really noticeable if you do a side by side comparison.

Does Baileys go bad after opening? ›

How long does Baileys last? Baileys Original lasts 2 years from the day of bottling, opened or unopened when stored at the optimum temperature (0 to 25°C/32 to 77°F). For other Baileys products, shelf life varies depending on the flavour. See below for the full list.

What is closest to Godiva chocolate liqueur? ›

Mozart makes chocolate cream liqueurs that may be the best substitute for cocktails normally made with Godiva. Tippy Cow also makes a rum-based chocolate cream that may work in many recipes.

Why is there a lawsuit against Godiva? ›

Godiva didn't tell customers one of its dark chocolate products contains unsafe levels of lead, a new class action lawsuit alleges. Plaintiff Kamila Harkavy filed the class action lawsuit against Godiva Chocolatier Inc. on Jan. 10 in a California federal court, alleging violations of state and federal consumer laws.

Is baileys a chocolate liqueur? ›

Rich, luxurious, Baileys chocolate liqueur. Crammed with Irish dairy cream, fine spirits including smooth Irish whiskey, tasty Belgian chocolate flavour and other ingredients and flavours. Baileys Chocolat Luxe is a bottle of grown-up chocolate loveliness. Who said dreams can't come true?

What is the world's best chocolate liqueur? ›

The top chocolate liqueur was a two-way tie between two very different offerings that were awarded 98 points by the judges. They are: Mozart Distillerie's Mozart Coconut Chocolate Liqueur from Austria and De Kuyper Royal Distillers' Dutch Cacao Liqueur from the Netherlands.

What does chocolate liquor do to your body? ›

The flavonoids present in chocolate liquor have been linked to improved blood flow, reduced blood pressure, and enhanced vascular function. Additionally, these compounds exhibit antioxidant properties that can help protect against oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to a lower risk of heart disease.

Is chocolate liquor good in coffee? ›

Take your brew from coffee to mocha with one shot of chocolate liqueur. If you have a sweet tooth, butterscotch is a good addition to satisfy your craving. We can describe both coffee and bourbon as having complex and rich flavors, which makes them a match made in heaven.

Does chocolate liquor contain alcohol? ›

Chocolate liquor is one of the key ingredients in any bar of chocolate. It's made from the nibs of cocoa beans, and contrary to what the name suggests, it doesn't contain any alcohol. Despite the misnomer, chocolate liquor helps give chocolate its distinctive taste and texture.

What is the difference between a liqueur and a liquor? ›

Contrary to liquors, liqueurs contain much more sugar and are often used as flavoring agent in a cocktail. So simply said a liqueur is a liquor with added sugar, flavors, and often (though not always) has a lower proof. Examples of liqueurs are Curaçao Liqueurs, Disaronno, Bailey's, Amaretto, etc.

Is unsweetened chocolate the same as chocolate liqueur? ›

According to U.S. regulations, chocolate liquor may also be called chocolate, unsweetened chocolate, baking chocolate, or bitter chocolate. An essential part of dark and milk chocolate, this ingredient with the many names does not contain alcohol, or vegetable fat.

What is the liquid is called chocolate liquor? ›

Chocolate liquor, also called cocoa liquor, is pure cocoa in liquid or semi-solid form. It is produced from cocoa bean nibs that have been fermented, dried, roasted, and separated from their skins.

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