Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate, made with real pumpkin puree, and your choice of dark or white chocolate, is an indulgent sip for fall. Spike it with bourbon for a decadent adult treat.

pumpkin spice hot chocolate with white and dark chocolate

Confession: I’m not always the biggest pumpkin spice fan.

Don’t get me wrong: I do enjoy the warm aroma of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves paired with pumpkin. It’s cozy. It makes me want to put on a chunky knit sweater and take in the foliage.

It’s just that there’s so much of it, and I can’t help but find myself in burnout mode early in the season. I also feel like it’s so often a headliner in products where it’s far more of a novelty than anything that actually benefits from pumpkin spice.

That said, one of the ways that I do absolutely love to enjoy this hallmark flavor of fall is in a steamy mug of Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate. Especially when it’s spiked with a little bit of bourbon and topped with a dollop of brown sugar whipped cream.

Now we’re talking.

pots of white and dark chocolate with pumpkin spice

Making Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

The first time I heard about Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate was on my friend Sarah’s blog, Champagne Tastes. Her photos looked so decadent and her description so cozy that I knew this would be a pumpkin spice concept I could embrace.

Of course, once I realized Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate existed, I started seeing it everywhere. In coffee shops, in canisters as mixes in my favorite gourmet stores, on towering displays at the grocery store.

I must’ve been living under a rock in autumns past!

Making Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate at home couldn’t be easier. It takes less than 10 minutes from start to finish with a single pot on the stove and a whisk. Made with real pumpkin puree and quality chocolate, it’s an extra-rich, indulgent sip to warm you up on a chilly night.

(And, I do mean rich, on many nights, I’m satisfied after half a mug!)

pouring dark chocolate pumpkin spice hot chocolate with a ladle

Choosing a Chocolate for Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

As I started playing with this hot chocolate in my own kitchen, I tried out different types of chocolate, from extra dark to semisweet, milk, and white.

I loved semisweet chocolate paired with light brown sugar for a hint of toffee flavor. Milk chocolate wasn’t quite chocolatey enough for me, and as much as I love bittersweet, I found that it overpowered the delicate flavor of the pumpkin in the background.

For a lighter drink, white chocolate really allowed the pumpkin and spices to shine through. It was warm and sweet, and so comfortingly drinkable.

They’re two very different-tasting beverages from the same theme.

Whether I’m using white or semisweet varieties, I like to use a quality chocolate since there are so few ingredients in homemade hot chocolate and it’s a predominant flavor. My preference is to use blocks of chocolate that I’ve chopped myself, but for convenience, I have made this a few times with chocolate chips.

pumpkin hot chocolate in mugs with brown sugar whipped cream

Bourbon Spiked Pumpkin Hot Chocolate

And then, came the splash of bourbon. If you’re looking for a decidedly grown-up treat for fall, Bourbon Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is about as good as it gets. The bourbon pairs perfectly with either of the chocolate choices, pumpkin, and the warm spices.

Spiked Pumpkin Hot Chocolate is ideal for sipping in front of the fire or serving at your adult Halloween Party. It’s a match made in heaven!

More Pumpkin Recipes for Fall

5 from 11 votes

Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate

This pumpkin spice hot chocolate is an indulgent treat for fall. Make it with your choice of semisweet dark or white chocolate for two different beverages!
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 1 large or 2 small mugs

Ingredients

Dark Chocolate

  • 1-1/4 cups milk (whole or 2% for best results)
  • 1-2 tablespoons pumpkin puree (depending on how rich you like it)
  • 1-2 tablespoons light brown sugar (depending on how sweet you like it)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
  • pinch ground cloves
  • pinch kosher or sea salt
  • 3 ounces semisweet chocolate finely chopped (or about 1/2 cup chips)

White Chocolate

  • omit brown sugar
  • 2 ounces white chocolate finely chopped (or about 1/3 cup chips), instead of semisweet chocolate
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Instructions 

  • In a small pot, whisk together all ingredients except for the chocolate you're using. Heat over medium low flame until bubbles start to form around the side of the pan. 
  • Reduce heat to low, add chocolate, and stir or whisk until melted, glossy, and thickened slightly, 1-2 minutes.
  • Pour into a mug and top with lightly-sweetened whipped cream and a dusting of ground cinnamon. Serve immediately. (Instructions for Brown Sugar Whipped Cream and bourbon spike in the recipe notes.)

Video

Notes

The dark chocolate version is especially rich (reminiscent of a drinking chocolate), and a small serving is usually perfect for me. If you prefer your dark hot chocolate a little less intense, decrease chocolate to 2 ounces (about 1/3 cup chips).

Spike it for the adults: 

Stir 1 tablespoon of bourbon into the hot chocolate just before serving.

Brown Sugar Whipped Cream:

In a bowl, whip together 1/2 cup chilled heavy cream with 1/2 to 1 tablespoon light brown sugar (depending on your sweetness preferences) until soft peaks form. (Makes more whipped cream than you need for 1 mug of hot chocolate.)

Nutrition Estimate

Calories: 711kcal | Carbohydrates: 72g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 40g | Saturated Fat: 23g | Cholesterol: 29mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 897mg | Fiber: 8g | Sugar: 57g | Vitamin A: 7400IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 340mg | Iron: 6mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

About our recipes

Please note that our recipes have been developed using the US Customary measurement system and have not been tested for high altitude/elevation cooking and baking.

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11 Comments

  1. Marisa Franca says:

    This sounds absolutely amazing — including the bourbon. I love pumpkin pie spice although I don’t use it a lot. I can smell the rich aroma of the hot chocolate. Much better than a scented candle plus you get to sip on it. I’m saving this recipe for the cold evenings that are sure to come.

  2. Dana says:

    I’m the same with pumpkin spice! I’m much more of an apple cider gal, but my husband is obsessed with pumpkin-spiced *everything*. (He stocks up on seasonal cookies, teas, cereals, you name it.) But this recipe here excites me. I love that there’s actual pumpkin in it. It looks and sounds so rich and warming! Perfect for this time of year.

  3. Debra says:

    OMG…..I don’t drink coffee and I was looking for something to get in with this pumpkin latte craze without having to use decaf. Genius here with the chocolate. I’m going to make this for our halloween bash. Perfect.

  4. Tracy says:

    Girl, I am WITH you. I do not like the whole pumpkin spice craze…. eeek! It feels so good to say that outloud. Thanks for being a safe space to say that. ???? I LOVE that this has real pumpkin in it- thatโ€™s what I DO like!!

  5. Carmy says:

    I just saw this on Instagram and have decided I need a mug of this every night until Spring comes around! I’ll alternate between the regular, white chocolate, and spiked version and I’ll never get bored haha. It’s been pretty cold here in Toronto recently so this hot chocolate is calling my name.

  6. Tina says:

    Wow, this does look rich. I like the idea of toffee flavor, I think that really pairs well with the pumpkin and chocolate. What a nice treat for myself, I know my daughter would LOVE this, so I’m definitely bookmarking this. She should be home next month. Thanks so much for this recipe:)

  7. Traci says:

    I am all about this recipe! I love pumpkin spice and I love hot chocolate, so it’s a win-win! Makes me crave cooler weather and looks so easy to make. I’m loving your iron saucepans in the photo too. Just pinned…great recipe!

  8. Lisa says:

    Oh, Lord… I think this is going to be my downfall. Like you, I’m not crazy-into pumpkin spice and usually prefer to have it sparingly. But you’ve gone and mixed it with chocolate (white and dark — I like ’em both) and BOURBON. This is eyes-rolling-back-in-your-head GOOD, Amanda. I love that you can make it a virgin drink for those who prefer to keep it booze free, too.

  9. Donna says:

    Ok this is one pumpkin spice recipe I can get behind. I did not grow up in the US, in fact I only moved here in my late 20’s, so pumpkin spice is not something that comes naturally to me. Paired with dark chocolate and some bourbon….that comes naturally to me – YUM!

  10. Gloria says:

    I am ALL over this recipe. I cannot ever get enough pumpkin spice EVERYTHING!! Now the bourbon version is right up hubby’s alley too. What a nice drink to curl up with and watch a movie with.

  11. Sarah says:

    Aw yay! I’m so glad you loved the pumpkin hot chocolate as much as I did :D (Don’t tell, but I get a little pumpkin spice fatigue by mid-October too lol)
    And omg- your bourbon version is speaking to me!! (Of course it is!) I’m pretty sure I need the spiked version in my life!