Quick answer: The best wines to pair with hot chocolate are Tawny or Ruby Port, sweet red wines like Brachetto d’Acqui, Banyuls and Moscato d’Asti for milk chocolate. You can also make red wine hot chocolate by stirring about 1/2 cup of a fruity red like Merlot or Zinfandel into 2 cups of rich hot chocolate. The rule of thumb: the wine should be at least as sweet as the chocolate.
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Hot chocolate is the ultimate cozy drink, and pairing it with wine turns a cold night into a little celebration. You can sip the two side by side, or mix them into one rich, grown up mug of red wine hot chocolate. Here is how to match the right wine to every style of cocoa, plus an easy recipe.
Why Does Sweet Wine Pair Best With Hot Chocolate?
Sweetness in food makes dry wine taste thin and sour. Hot chocolate is sweet and creamy, so it needs a wine with equal or greater sweetness and enough body to stand up to the richness. Fortified wines like Port are perfect because they bring sweetness, dark fruit and warmth.
Which Wine Goes With Each Type of Hot Chocolate?
| Hot Chocolate Style | Best Wine | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Classic milk hot chocolate | Tawny Port | Caramel and nut notes echo the creamy cocoa |
| Dark or bittersweet cocoa | Ruby Port or Banyuls | Rich berry fruit matches intense chocolate |
| White hot chocolate | Moscato d’Asti | Light, peachy sweetness keeps it fresh |
| Peppermint hot chocolate | Brachetto d’Acqui | Fizzy strawberry fruit balances the mint |
| Mexican spiced hot chocolate | Late harvest Zinfandel | Jammy fruit and spice love cinnamon and chili |
| Salted caramel hot chocolate | Madeira or Oloroso Sherry | Nutty, toffee notes match the caramel |
How Do You Make Red Wine Hot Chocolate?
This viral drink sounds unusual but tastes like a chocolate covered cherry. It serves 2.
Ingredients
- 2 cups whole milk (or half milk, half cream for extra richness)
- 3 ounces dark or semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar, to taste
- 1/2 cup fruity red wine, such as Merlot, Zinfandel or Pinot Noir
- Pinch of salt and a splash of vanilla
- Whipped cream and chocolate shavings for topping
Instructions
- Warm the milk in a saucepan over medium low heat until steaming.
- Whisk in the chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and salt until smooth.
- Reduce the heat to low and whisk in the red wine and vanilla. Warm for 1 to 2 minutes without boiling.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Use a fruity, low tannin red. Heavily oaked or tannic wines can taste bitter with chocolate. A good handheld milk frother makes it extra silky.
What Snacks Go With Hot Chocolate and Wine?
- Shortbread and biscotti for dunking
- Salted nuts and pretzels for contrast
- Aged Gouda or a creamy blue cheese with Port
- Fresh raspberries and strawberries
- Gingerbread and other holiday cookies. See our Christmas cookies and wine pairing.
Love chocolate pairings? Our wine and chocolate pairing guide covers chocolate bars and desserts. Shop Tawny Port or Brachetto d’Acqui at Wine.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
What wine goes with hot chocolate?
Tawny Port is the best all around match for classic hot chocolate. Ruby Port and Banyuls suit dark cocoa, Moscato d’Asti suits white hot chocolate and Brachetto d’Acqui is fun with peppermint hot chocolate.
Can you put red wine in hot chocolate?
Yes. Stir about 1/2 cup of a fruity, low tannin red wine like Merlot or Zinfandel into 2 cups of rich hot chocolate over low heat. It tastes like a chocolate covered cherry.
Does red wine hot chocolate have alcohol?
Yes. Gently warming the wine for a minute or two keeps most of the alcohol. Do not boil it, which would cook off more alcohol but can also make the drink taste bitter.
Why does dry wine taste sour with chocolate?
Sweet foods make dry wines taste thinner and more acidic. Choose a wine that is at least as sweet as the chocolate, such as Port, Banyuls or Moscato.
