Creamy Red Velvet Hot Chocolate

If you love red velvet cake, this one’s a no-brainer. Red Velvet Hot Cocoa is rich, creamy, and has that classic hint of chocolate with a subtle vanilla sweetness. It’s basically hot chocolate leveled up—smoother, a little fancier, and absolutely perfect for a cozy night in, Valentine’s Day, or a fun Galentine’s get-together.

The best part? No complicated ingredients, no melting chocolate on the stove for an hour. Just a few simple ingredients, one pot, and about five minutes of effort.

Why You’ll Love This Drink

• Tastes like red velvet cake in a mug. Creamy, chocolatey, with just the right amount of vanilla.
• Looks gorgeous. That deep red color makes it perfect for holiday vibes or a cute Instagram post.
• So easy to make. One pot, one whisk, and you're good to go.

Tasting Notes

• Flavor: Rich cocoa with a smooth vanilla and buttermilk-like sweetness
• Texture: Thick, creamy, and silky
• Sweetness Level: Just right—not too sugary
• Best Served In: A big cozy mug with whipped cream on top

Ingredients

• 2 cups milk (whole or oat milk for extra creaminess)
• ¼ cup white chocolate chips
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• 2 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp red food coloring
• Pinch of salt
• Whipped cream & red velvet cake crumbs (for garnish, optional but highly recommended)

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Heat the milk. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk until it’s hot but not boiling.
2. Melt the chocolate. Add the white chocolate chips and whisk until melted and smooth.
3. Whisk in the good stuff. Stir in cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and red food coloring until everything is well combined.
4. Serve it up. Pour into a mug, top with whipped cream, and sprinkle red velvet cake crumbs on top if you’re feeling fancy.

Tips & Tricks

• Want it extra thick? Replace half the milk with heavy cream.
• No food coloring? Skip it! It won’t be red, but it'll still taste amazing.
• Dairy-free version? Use oat milk and dairy-free white chocolate chips.
• Make it boozy. A splash of Baileys or vanilla vodka turns this into a next-level winter cocktail.

Variations to Try

• Dark Chocolate Red Velvet Cocoa: Use dark chocolate instead of white chocolate for a richer, deeper flavor.
• Iced Red Velvet Cocoa: Cool it down and pour over ice for a fun twist.
• Mocha Red Velvet: Add a shot of espresso for a caffeine kick.

Your Burning Questions Answered

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Just keep it warm on the stove and whisk occasionally. If it thickens too much, add a splash of milk before serving.

What’s the best milk to use?
Whole milk makes it super creamy, but oat milk is a great dairy-free option. Skim or almond milk works too, but won’t be as thick.

Can I use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate?
Absolutely! It won’t be as true to the "red velvet" flavor, but it'll still be delicious.

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Made this for a movie night, and let’s just say it disappeared fast. It’s cozy, rich, and feels like a warm hug in a mug. Pairs perfectly with cookies, brownies, or just a fuzzy blanket and a good rom-com.

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