Boozy Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

2 cups whole milk

6 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

3 ounces liquor of choice, such as bourbon, rum, or a cream liqueur

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 pinch kosher salt

Optional toppings: mini marshmallows or whipped cream, chocolate shavings, sprinkles.

Method

Warm the milk:

Warm the milk in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat until it begins to barely simmer but not boil (watch for small bubbles around the edges).

Add the chocolate:

Add in the chopped chocolate and whisk until combined and smooth, about 5 minutes. There should be no remaining specks of chocolate, the color should turn from a pale tan to a milk chocolatey brown, and the bottom of your pan should be coated with the mixture.

Remove from the heat and add the remaining ingredients:

Remove from the heat and stir in the liquor, vanilla extract, and salt.

Cool slightly and serve:

Let sit to cool to a safe drinking temperature for about 5 minutes (still hot but not burning). Pour into heatproof mugs. If a skin forms while cooling, just whisk it for a few seconds to reincorporate.

Enjoy as-is or topped with desired toppings.