Red Wine Hot Chocolate Recipe - Non Alcoholic Wine Version
/This recipe is sponsored by St. Regis Dealcoholized Wines. All opinions are our own. Recipe copyright of Some Good Clean Fun.
Every year at the holidays, my good friend Yvonne Langen inspires me with one recipe from her holiday cocktail collection that I can’t resist making into a mocktail version. This year, when the book landed in my inbox, I was immediately intrigued by her Red Wine Hot Chocolate recipe. For one, even after all of my years drinking red wine by the gallon, I never considered adding it to hot chocolate. But as Yvonne says, if you’ve ever had a glass of good red wine with a square of premium chocolate, you’ll understand the appeal. Challenge accepted!
Cozy up with a mug of this rich, velvety Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Hot Chocolate—a decadent twist on traditional hot chocolate that combines the flavors of non-alcoholic red wine with the creamy indulgence of dark chocolate. It’s perfect for chilly evenings, holiday gatherings, or simply treating yourself at home!
This mocktail recipe starts with making hot chocolate from scratch, which was a lot easier than I expected. It’s simply warmed cream and milk with melted dark chocolate and I added salt to give it some umami appeal. And then simply stirring in the wine - easy peasy!
Highlighting St. Regis Cabernet Sauvignon
When choosing a non-alcoholic red wine for this recipe, St. Regis Cabernet Sauvignon stands out as an excellent option. Known for its full-bodied flavor and notes of blackcurrant, plum, and subtle oak, this dealcoholized wine offers the flavour hit we need to complement the rich, dark chocolate. Plus, it’s widely available and perfect for those looking to enjoy the essence of red wine without the alcohol.
Ingredients In Red Wine Hot Chocolate Mocktail
1/4 cup Half & half cream: this helps to thicken the hot chocolate and make it creamy and rich.
3/4 cup 2% milk: some people use whole milk, but I find the cream and the lighter milk are just right for the non-alcoholic version, and it won’t separate once it’s cooled.
1/4 cup dark chocolate: You can use dark chocolate chips or pieces of 70% dark chocolate or dark chocolate chunks, it doesn’t matter. As long as it can melt and be integrated into the milk mixture. You can also use milk chocolate if you really desire, but I find the dark chocolate pairs better with the non-alcoholic red wine.
1/8 tsp sea salt: Enhances the chocolate’s flavor and balances the sweetness.
4 oz non-alcoholic wine: For this recipe, the St. Regis Cabernet Sauvignon was the perfect option for several reasons. I could pick it up at the grocery store quickly and easily with the rest of the ingredients. The flavour profile is also juicy and slightly sweet, and has enough ‘red wine’ taste to stand out in the chocolate.
Note: No Added Sugar
Yvonne’s recipe uses a gingerbread simple syrup, which I’m sure tastes fabulous, but since non-alcoholic wine is slightly higher in sugar than your regular bottle of red, you don’t need to add any sugar to this recipe. It will be sweet enough from the chocolate and the wine.
Preparation
Step 1: Heat the Dairy
Add the half-and-half cream and 2% milk to the saucepan.
Stir gently and heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling. Keep an eye on it to prevent scalding.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate
Reduce the heat to low.
Add the dark chocolate chips and sea salt to the saucepan.
Whisk continuously until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Combine the Non-alcoholic wine
Slowly pour in the non-alcoholic red wine.
Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, for roughly 1 minute and then remove from heat.
Step 4: Serve
Pour the hot chocolate into mugs.
Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or grated dark chocolate for an extra-special touch.
Serve immediately and enjoy!
For Batching Larger Quantities
If you’re making this recipe for a party or function, it’s alright to multiply the quantities as needed. The only consideration is not to “keep it warm” on the stove for too long. This is meant to be served fairly soon after it’s been prepared, or the wine cooks too much and the dairy can start to curdle.
Variations to Try
1. Spiced Red Wine Hot Chocolate
Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a splash of vanilla extract for a warm and spiced version of this drink.
2. Vegan Option
Substitute the half-and-half cream and 2% milk with coconut milk for a rich creamy texture. Try and use chocolate chips that are dairy-free.
3. Peppermint Twist
Add a few drops of peppermint extract for a festive, holiday-inspired twist.
4. Extra Chocolatey
Melt an additional ¼ cup of chocolate chips for an even richer hot chocolate experience.
Conclusion
This Non-Alcoholic Red Wine Hot Chocolate is the ultimate comfort drink, combining the richness of dark chocolate with the body and taste of red wine—all without the alcohol. Whether you’re looking for a unique holiday treat or a cozy indulgence, this recipe is sure to do the trick.
Red Wine Hot Chocolate Mocktail
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup 2% milk
- 1/4 cup half and half cream
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- Pinch of sea salt
- 4 oz St. Regis non-alcoholic Cabernet Sauvignon
- Whipped cream
Instructions
- Add the half-and-half cream and 2% milk to a saucepan.
- Stir gently and heat until the mixture is hot but not boiling. Keep an eye on it to prevent scalding or curdling,
- Reduce the heat to low.
- Add the dark chocolate chips and sea salt to the saucepan.
- Whisk continuously until the chocolate chips are fully melted and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Slowly pour in the non-alcoholic red wine.
- Warm over low heat, stirring occasionally, for roughly 1 minute and then remove from heat.
- Pour the hot chocolate into mugs.
- Garnish with whipped cream, a sprinkle of cocoa powder, or grated dark chocolate for an extra-special touch.
- Serve immediately and enjoy!
