Hennessy Hot Cocoa

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 01/3/23
Hennessy hot cocoa in mugs

The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
373 Calories
13g Fat
39g Carbs
3g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 373
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 13g 17%
Saturated Fat 8g 41%
Cholesterol 34mg 11%
Sodium 147mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 39g 14%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Total Sugars 34g
Protein 3g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 61mg 5%
Iron 1mg 8%
Potassium 236mg 5%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Brandy (or cognac, to be precise) does not make an appearance with hot chocolate often, and it's a shame because it is a fantastic combination. Of course, you could just pour hot chocolate over a shot of (Hennessy vs. cognac and call it done, but you would be missing out on a superior drink.

It is the spiced syrup and vanilla extract that take the Hennessy hot cocoa from average to outstanding. The cream top and nutmeg-chocolate garnish are just an added bonus that makes this drink indulgent and delicious.

Ingredients

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Hennessy hot cocoa ingredients in bowls

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  2. In an Irish coffee glass or coffee mug, pour the brandy, spiced syrup, vanilla extract, and hot chocolate.

    Brandy, spiced rum, vanilla extract and hot chocolate in a mug

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  3. Stir well.

    Hot chocolate mixture in the mug, with a metal spoon

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  4. Layer the cream on top by pouring it over the back of a spoon.

    Cream poured over a spoon, into the hot chocolate mixture in the mug

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

  5. Garnish with grated nutmeg and dark chocolate. Serve and enjoy.

    Hennessy hot cocoa in a mug, garnisheed with nutmeg and chocolate

    The Spruce Eats / Cara Cormack

Tips

  • You can find spiced syrup at some stores or online from syrup companies like Monin. It's often made with brown sugar and winter season spices like cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg.
  • It's also very easy to make your own brown sugar spiced syrup. This option can save some money, takes about an hour (including the time to let it cool), and you get the benefit of customizing the spice to perfectly suit your own taste.
  • Choose your favorite hot chocolate (or cocoa) for this drink. You can go with an old-fashioned hot chocolate made with melted chocolate and milk or a quick powdered cocoa packet. Try a few recipes and methods and enjoy the adventure of discovering which you like most.
  • Heat up your glass or mug before building this drink to ensure it stays warm to the last sip. To do so, pour hot water (from a teapot, for instance, not hot from the tap) into the glass and let it steam up while you make the cocoa. You can also place a water-filled glass in the microwave for about 10 seconds.

Recipe Variations

  • Mix up and chill the hot chocolate then build the drink to create a delicious iced chocolate cocktail. Make a little extra hot chocolate and freeze it in ice cube trays so ice doesn't water down the drink.
  • Rather than floating heavy cream on top, go ahead and use canned whipped cream if you like.
  • A cinnamon stick, ground cinnamon, and mini marshmallows can be used as alternative garnishes.
  • If you don't have pure vanilla extract at home, imitation vanilla will do just fine.

How Strong Is a Hennessy Hot Cocoa?

A perfectly relaxing spiked cocoa, this recipe creates a low-proof drink. It will vary depending on how much hot chocolate and cream you pour, but its alcohol content averages out around 7 percent ABV (14 proof). That's right between beer and wine, only this drink is far more delicious than both of those.