Introduction

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a fun and festive twist on classic hot cocoa. This creamy white chocolate hot cocoa gets a vibrant green hue and is perfect for cozying up on a chilly day.

A clear glass mug filled with a smooth, light green drink takes center focus. The drink fills most of the mug, topped with a thick layer of white whipped cream that is swirled in soft peaks, adorned with small round and rod-shaped green sprinkles. Two green straws with white polka dots stick out from the whipped cream on a white marbled surface background, with faint green decorations blurred in the back. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

3 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
¼ tsp. vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring
Whipped cream for topping
St. Patrick’s sprinkles for topping

Instructions

Step 1: In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, and white chocolate chips.
Step 2: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes steamy and the chocolate has fully melted.
Step 3: Remove the saucepan from the heat.
Step 4: Stir in the vanilla extract and a few drops of green gel food coloring.
Step 5: Continue adding green food coloring drop by drop until you reach your desired shade, stirring well after each addition.
Step 6: Pour the hot cocoa into mugs, then top with whipped cream and festive St. Patrick’s sprinkles before serving.

Tips & Variations

For a richer flavor, substitute some of the milk with half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm spice twist.
Use dairy-free milk and cream alternatives to make this recipe vegan-friendly.
Adjust sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your taste.

Storage

Store any leftover hot cocoa in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, stirring frequently to keep the chocolate smooth. Add whipped cream and sprinkles fresh before serving.

How to Serve

A clear glass mug filled with a smooth, bright green drink forms the base layer, topped with a thick swirl of white whipped cream. The whipped cream is decorated with small green, yellow, and gold sprinkles scattered on top. The mug sits on a white marbled surface with scattered sprinkles around it. In the background, a soft-focus black and white checkered cloth and green and gold shiny decorations add a festive feel to the scene. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular chocolate instead of white chocolate chips?

Yes, you can substitute white chocolate chips with regular or dark chocolate, but keep in mind it will change the color and flavor of the drink.

What if I don’t have green gel food coloring?

You can use liquid green food coloring, but gel tends to provide a more vibrant color without altering the texture of the cocoa.

St Patrick’s Day Hot Cocoa Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.5 from 79 reviews

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with this rich and creamy green hot cocoa, infused with white chocolate and topped with festive whipped cream and sprinkles. A perfect comforting treat to enjoy during the holiday season.

Author: Cleo
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Beverage
Method: Stovetop
Cuisine: Irish-American

Ingredients

Scale

Hot Cocoa

3 cups milk
½ cup heavy cream
¼ cup sugar
Pinch of salt
1 cup white chocolate chips
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Green gel food coloring

Toppings

Whipped cream for topping
St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles for topping

Instructions

Combine ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, and white chocolate chips to start building the base of the hot cocoa.
Heat mixture: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until it becomes steamy and the white chocolate chips have completely melted into the milk.
Remove from heat: Once heated and melted, take the saucepan off the heat to prevent the mixture from scorching or boiling.
Add flavor and color: Stir in the vanilla extract and then gradually add green gel food coloring, starting with a few drops. Continue adding until you achieve your desired shade of green, stirring thoroughly to blend it evenly.
Serve: Pour the green hot cocoa into mugs, then generously top with whipped cream and festive St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles for a fun and celebratory finish.

Notes

Use medium heat to avoid scorching the milk or chocolate.
Adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to get the perfect shade without affecting taste.
For a non-dairy version, substitute milk and cream with almond or oat milk and coconut cream, respectively.
White chocolate chips are preferred for creamy sweetness; avoid baking chips as they may not melt smoothly.
Can be made ahead and reheated gently on the stovetop or in a microwave.

Keywords: St Patrick’s Day, hot cocoa, white chocolate, green hot chocolate, holiday drink, festive beverage, Irish holiday recipe