When it’s cold outside and you want to feel cozy, nothing does the trick like a hot spiked beverage. But instead of forcing a decision between what are arguably the most popular winter options—creamy hot chocolate or spiced mulled wine—why not combine them? Case in point: red wine hot chocolate.
It may sound odd, but this crowd-pleaser has been making the rounds on social media for good reason. The hashtag has racked up 1.5 million views on Tiktok; one video posted last month by @nicoleleeanne6 currently has 52K likes and close to 800 comments. The user, a self-proclaimed weird snack expert, was skeptical of the combo at first. “I’m back to disrespecting my wines,” she says in the video. But after taking a sip proclaims, “10 out of 10 will make this again.”
Given the strange-sounding drink’s virality, we decided to whip up an elevated take worthy of a Wine Enthusiast-approved holiday gathering. From how to pick the right wine and chocolate to what makes the combo work so well, here is everything you need to know.
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Why It Works
Social media trends aside, this seasonally appropriate beverage is an ideal middle ground between mulled wine (which can be too boozy for some) and hot chocolate (which some find too rich). Plus, the bitter, tannic flavors in both wine and chocolate complement one together.
Our version relies on two
This Article was originally published on Wine Enthusiast
