30 Chocolate Cocktails You Need To Try At Least Once

For those who have a sweet tooth, there is a whole slew of delicious chocolate cocktails out there. Whether they include a dash of crème de cacao, a sprinkling of chocolate shavings, or a shot of chocolate whiskey, many of these mixed drinks will have that rich cocoa flavor mixed in somewhere. While some of the recipes are chocolatey takes on classic cocktails, like the martini and the mint julep, others are unique creations that almost qualify as desserts.

For drinkers who would rather go easy on the creamy, indulgent taste of chocolate in their after-dinner drink, but still want a hint of cocoa, there are also chocolate cocktail recipes that choose to highlight interesting citrus or berry notes in their flavor profile. Whether you prefer to drink a glorified spiked milkshake or a smoky cocoa concoction, one of these chocolate cocktails is sure to be perfect for your palate. 

Add bourbon, créme de cacao, Frangelico liqueur and ice into a shaker, mix the ingredients well and strain them into a cocktail glass to make your own Bourbon Ball. The Frangelico adds a touch of hazelnut flavor that perfectly complements the cacao. To enhance the créme de cacao's flavor, sprinkle some chocolate shavings on top of the cocktail for a tasty, aesthetically satisfying finish. 

Though anytime is a good time to drink a Bourbon Ball, it's a drink typically served on special occasions like holidays or other celebrations. If there is no Frangelico on hand, switch in another hazelnut liqueur like Bailey's Hazelnut Cream.

For those who love the taste (but not texture) of milkshakes, and would love them more with a splash of alcohol, the Brandy Alexander may be the ideal chocolate cocktail. Mix in a generous pour of Cognac, dark crème de cacao, cream, and ice into a shaker. Be sure to shake well until the ingredients are thoroughly blended, then strain and serve it in a cocktail glass. 

Since this drink tends to be on the boozier side, with the taste of alcohol expertly covered by the cacao and other ingredients, drink a Brandy Alexander responsibly. It can also be garnished with some grated nutmeg for an extra kick of flavor. 

Similar to the dessert of the same name, the Death by Chocolate cocktail boasts a rich, indulgent chocolate taste that stops just short of overpowering the palate. With a consistency more akin to a chocolate shake, the crushed ice in Death by Chocolate makes it an especially thick concoction.

To build this cocktail, blend vodka, crushed ice, Irish cream liqueur, crème de cacao, and three scoops of chocolate ice cream. As one could imagine, this alcoholic drink is as high in calories as it is rich in taste, so it's best consumed as a special treat.

For chocolate lovers who feel the flavors of a Death By Chocolate cocktail (or even a chocolate martini) may be overwhelming, the white chocolate martini is an equally delicious yet more subtle and smoother alternative. One of the best tips for serving this cocktail is to place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes before serving, until it is thoroughly chilled. 

Though the martini can be personalized by making it with a flavored vodka of choice, most recipes call for vanilla vodka. Mix it with white chocolate liqueur, half-and-half, crème de cacao, and of course ice, in order to make this strong yet smooth cocktail.

Frozen Mexican Hot Chocolate may seem like an oxymoron, but thanks to ingredients like cinnamon and cayenne, the warm, spicy accents of the cocktail come through, even in its frozen version. This drink utilizes both reposado tequila and Grand Marnier, so it tends to be on the strong side.

The key to making it well is to freeze the mixture after preparing it. Some people prefer to use ice cube trays to freeze the mixture in chunks, which can then be easily blended into a slushie. Others use a baking dish; however, this method requires stirring the cocktail approximately every half hour while refrigerated to achieve a granita-like texture.

Spicy flavors and chocolate go surprisingly well together. Specifically, chiles and chocolate are often paired because of their complementary flavors, as the acidity of the chili and the rich, earthy flavor of the chocolate balance each other out. This may not be surprising, as they are both derived from tropical plants originating in the Americas. 

The chocolate chili martini itself has just two ingredients: chocolate chili liqueur and vodka. The best part of this cocktail to play around with is what to use on the rim. Some people dip the rim in cayenne pepper, others cocoa, and still others a combination of the two, along with some sugar.

All that is needed is eggnog, milk, whipped cream, and chocolate syrup to make a Chocolate Eggnog during the holiday season and surprise guests with something a little different. Pick up a ready-made eggnog at the local supermarket, as most places will start selling them in wintertime, or whip one up at home.

There are slight variations on eggnog, but one of the most delicious eggnog recipes calls for eggs, milk, heavy cream, rum, sugar, and nutmeg. The key to successfully making the eggnog is to temper the eggs by very slowly adding the milk and cream to them, and whisking them consistently so they don't start turning solid before finished.

Named after the indulgent, chocolate-and-cherry-flavored dessert that shares a lot of ingredients with this drink, the Black Forest Gateau Cocktail is meant to be enjoyed after a meal. The original recipe for this drink, conceived in London's Hush restaurant, leaves out the deep chocolate and cherry flavors. Add them back in by using Kirschwasser eau-de-vie (which adds a note of cherry) and a chocolate liqueur.

As a final finishing touch, it helps to float the cream on top of this decadent concoction. Drink responsibly, as the alcohol content of this cocktail is nearly equivalent to two full drinks.

Though the Golden Cadillac contains both white crème de cacao liqueur and Galliano L'Autentico liqueur, it has a surprisingly low alcohol content, clocking in at just 13%. This makes it a perfect choice for a smooth nightcap that won't result in a headache in the morning.

The drink's unique name reflects its gold color. Supposedly, the first Golden Cadillac was created by California bartender Frank Cline in 1952. A happy, newly engaged couple wandered into his bar and asked him to make them something special. Frank put together a signature dessert drink and the couple named it after their new Cadillac.

The Peppermint Patty is one of those cocktails where it really pays to use a proper garnish — in this case, a Peppermint Patty candy — to help bring out the drink's special chocolate and peppermint flavor combination.

One way to make this drink is to combine chocolate vodka, cream liqueur, and peppermint schnapps. Alternatively, use crème de cacao and either Irish cream or crème de menthe instead of the original vodka and liqueur combination. This makes the Peppermint Patty a relatively easy drink to make at home with whatever happens to be kicking around the bar. The resulting drink may be white or chocolate-like in color, depending on the ingredients.

Combine gin, crème de cacao, and half-and-half in a shaker with ice to make this cocktail. Some people choose to add pasteurized egg whites; though optional, it adds a smooth texture and frothiness to the drink that greatly amplifies the flavor and sipping experience. If looking to add the egg whites, be sure to mix the ingredients in the shaker thoroughly, so as to combine everything. 

The Alexander cocktail was a precursor to the Brandy Alexander, before the latter eclipsed the former in popularity and the Alexander cocktail was all but forgotten. Though the exact origins of the drink remain unknown, it was already being served in bars by 1915.

Create a spiked chocolate milk at home by whipping up the easy yet delicious Lumumba cocktail, made with one part brandy to ten parts chilled chocolate milk. A delicious hot version of the drink can also be made easily, simply substituting hot chocolate or cacao instead of chocolate milk.

If an extra chocolate nuance is desired, sprinkle in a dash of cocoa powder. The Lumumba cocktail is great to serve at celebrations, and unlike other indulgent chocolate cocktails, is relatively light and appreciated by everyone. Even those who don't particularly like desserts or chocolate should appreciate a good Lumumba.

Try a favorite childhood treat in cocktail form with the Snickers Martini Cocktail. In order to make this drink well, be sure to shake the mix of ingredients vigorously in order to completely blend in the peanut butter used in the recipe. The resulting drink should have a completely smooth texture.

To significantly up the ante, use a small piece of an actual Snickers bar as garnish, wedging it on the rim of the glass to provide a little dessert with the drink. Giving a nod to the origins of this particular cocktail, it might just feel like Halloween night for grown-ups.

The Chocolate Rye takes a lot of patience to make, as creating the infused rye that forms its base means swirling a whole bunch of ingredients together, sealing them in an airtight container, then leaving it on the counter for two days. During those two days, one must occasionally shake the mixture to make sure everything is properly blending together.

After this first part of the cocktail mix has been completed, stir the infused rye together with sherry, lemon juice, cherry syrup, and a whole lot of ice to blend and chill the drink. The chocolate taste is derived from the cacao nibs used in the infused rye mixture.

A very close cousin of the Brandy Alexander, the Panama cocktail uses white crème de cacao instead of dark crème de cacao to complement its cognac base. Like the Alexander line of drinks, the Panama cocktail was served in bars throughout the U.S. in the beginning of the 20th century, but while the Brandy Alexander has only grown more ubiquitous, the Panama's popularity has waned over time.

For those who prefer a lighter white chocolate taste instead of the Brandy's traditional flavor, a Panama may be the perfect solution. Sprinkle a little nutmeg on it to accentuate the drink's chocolate flavor.