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Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe

ByLucy
Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 6 reviews

Oh my goodness, if you’re on the hunt for the ultimate cozy treat this season, you need to try my Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe. It’s not your usual hot chocolate — think creamy white chocolate meets fun, festive green vibes, topped off with fluffy whipped cream and those adorable sprinkles that just scream celebration. Trust me, once you make this, it’ll be your go-to drink for chilly days or St. Patrick’s Day fun!

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Why This Recipe Works

  • Creamy & Luxurious Texture: The combo of milk and heavy cream gives this hot chocolate the perfect silky mouthfeel.
  • Balanced Sweetness: White chocolate chips add richness without overwhelming sweetness, so it’s smooth and inviting.
  • Festive & Fun Presentation: The green color plus whipped cream and sprinkles make this treat as delightful visually as it is taste-wise.
  • Quick & Easy Prep: Ready in just 10 minutes — perfect for when you want something special without fuss.
A clear glass mug filled with two layers of drink, the bottom layer a solid light green and the top layer a lighter green foam, topped with a swirl of white whipped cream sprinkled with small round and stick-shaped green candies; the mug sits on a white marbled surface with some green sprinkles scattered around; in the blurred background are an orange cloth and green shamrock shapes. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7 this …

Ingredients & Why They Work

This Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe uses simple but flavorful ingredients that blend beautifully. Each plays an important part in balancing flavor, texture, and that lovely festive green glow. Here’s a quick breakdown of why I pick these ingredients every time.

  • Milk: Provides the base and body, making the drink smooth and comforting.
  • Heavy Cream: Adds extra creaminess that makes this hot chocolate feel decadent.
  • Sugar: Sweetens just enough to highlight the white chocolate without overpowering.
  • Salt: A pinch balances the sweetness and enhances flavors overall.
  • White Chocolate Chips: Melt beautifully to create a rich, velvety chocolate flavor without the bitterness of dark chocolate.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract: Deepens the flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
  • Green Gel Food Coloring: Gives you that bright, fun green color that’s perfect for St. Patrick’s Day without affecting taste.
  • Whipped Cream: Creamy topping that brings extra indulgence and texture contrast.
  • St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles: Cute and festive – adds a crunch and seasonal flair that’s bound to impress.
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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the best parts about the Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe is how easy it is to customize. Whether you’re tweaking it for your preferred sweetness, or adding your favorite festive toppings, it’s all about making it feel like your own cozy celebration.

  • Variation: Sometimes I swap white chocolate chips for white chocolate chunks for a gooey twist. It melts slower, giving you those luscious pockets of creamy chocolate.
  • Dairy-free option: Use coconut or almond milk and coconut cream instead of dairy for a delicious vegan-friendly version.
  • Extra minty: Add a drop of peppermint extract for that fresh holiday vibe that pairs surprisingly well with white chocolate.
  • Spicy kick: Sprinkle in a pinch of cinnamon or cayenne pepper for some unexpected warmth.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe

Step 1: Gather and Measure Your Ingredients

I always start by measuring everything out. It keeps the process smooth and lets you focus on the fun part — mixing it all together. Having your white chocolate chips, milk, cream, sugar, salt, and vanilla ready to go saves time and prevents scrambling mid-way.

Step 2: Heat Gently & Stir Constantly

Pour the milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, vanilla, and white chocolate chips into a medium saucepan. Heat this mixture over medium heat. Here’s the key: stir constantly while it’s warming so the white chocolate melts evenly without clumping or sticking to the pan. You’re looking for the mixture to get steamy and smooth — it usually takes about 5-7 minutes.

Step 3: Add the Green Color

Remove the pan from heat and start adding green gel food coloring a little at a time — a drop per stir works well. Keep adjusting until you get that vibrant, shamrock-worthy shade. Gel food coloring is best here because it doesn’t thin the drink like liquid coloring can.

Step 4: Pour and Garnish to Impress

Pour your luscious green hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. Top generously with whipped cream and then sprinkle those St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles on top. Fun tip: I love using a mix of clovers, gold coins, and tiny rainbows to really amp up the festivity.

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Tips from My Kitchen

  • Gentle Heat: I always melt the chocolate slowly over medium heat, never high — it prevents burning or separation.
  • Use Gel Coloring: Gel food coloring gives you bright, stable color without watering down the drink.
  • Whipped Cream Finish: Adding whipped cream while the drink is hot makes it soften into a creamy cloud — it’s heavenly.
  • Sprinkle Smartly: I avoid adding sprinkles too early, or they’ll melt into the whipped cream; adding them last keeps them crunchy and pretty.

How to Serve Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe

Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe - Recipe Image

Garnishes

I’m all about topping this green wonder with plenty of light, fluffy whipped cream — it balances the richness and gives that perfect cold-creaminess contrast. For sprinkles, seasonal St. Patrick’s Day ones are a must: little green clovers, gold coins, and rainbow shapes add a festive crunch and make the drink extra Insta-worthy.

Side Dishes

I love pairing this hot chocolate with simple, buttery shortbread cookies or even some toasted Irish soda bread. The crunch and slight saltiness complement the creamy drink perfectly, making it a complete little celebration on your palate.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party, I’ve served this drink in clear glass mugs to show off the vivid green color and snowy whipped cream. Adding a small pretzel rod or candy cane as a stirrer is a fun touch that guests love. You can even rim your mug with colored sugar crystals for that extra sparkle.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you happen to have leftover green hot chocolate, store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 days. Just give it a good stir before reheating, since it might thicken as it cools.

Freezing

I generally don’t freeze this drink because the dairy and white chocolate can separate when thawed, changing the texture, but if you freeze it, do so in small portions and be ready to whisk vigorously when reheating.

Reheating

When reheating, warm the leftovers gently in a saucepan on low heat. Stir constantly to keep the white chocolate smooth and avoid scorching. If it’s a bit thick, just add a splash of milk to get it back to silky perfection.

FAQs

  1. Can I use regular cocoa powder instead of white chocolate chips for this Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe?

    While you can use cocoa powder, this recipe is specifically designed to take advantage of the creamy sweetness of white chocolate. Using cocoa powder will give you a more traditional chocolate flavor but won’t deliver the same silky texture or the light green color as effectively. If you want a matcha flavor, for instance, you could add matcha powder, but for this exact recipe, white chocolate chips are key.

  2. Is the green color safe to eat and does it affect the flavor?

    Absolutely! Gel food coloring used in the recipe is food-safe and does not affect the taste. It’s concentrated, so you use less compared to liquid coloring, which helps keep the hot chocolate’s flavor intact while giving that perfect festive green hue.

  3. Can I make this recipe vegan?

    Yes! Substitute dairy milk with your favorite plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk. Replace heavy cream with coconut cream or a vegan alternative, and use vegan white chocolate chips. Keep in mind, the texture and richness might differ slightly, but still delicious and festive!

  4. How long does this hot chocolate stay fresh?

    It’s best enjoyed immediately, but leftover hot chocolate can be stored in the fridge for up to two days. Just give it a good stir and gently reheat before serving. The whipped cream and sprinkles are best added fresh for that perfect texture and look.

Final Thoughts

This Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe has become a cherished favorite in my kitchen, especially when I want to make ordinary moments feel special. It’s easy, playful, and so indulgently creamy — more than just a drink, it’s a little celebration in a mug. I really hope you’ll give it a try and make it your own festive tradition too. Trust me, once the whipped cream melts into that cozy green chocolate, you’ll never look back!

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Green Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 6 reviews
  • Author: Lucy
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Total Time: 20 minutes
  • Yield: 3 servings
  • Category: Beverage
  • Method: Stovetop
  • Cuisine: American
Print Recipe

Description

A festive Green Hot Chocolate perfect for celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with a creamy, sweet, and colorful twist on traditional hot chocolate.

Ingredients

Milk and Cream

  • 3 cups milk
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Flavorings and Sweeteners

  • ¼ cup sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • ¼ tsp pure vanilla extract

Chocolate and Decoration

  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • Green gel food coloring
  • Whipped cream
  • St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Combine Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, combine milk, heavy cream, sugar, salt, vanilla extract, and white chocolate chips.
  2. Heat Mixture: Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it becomes steamy and the white chocolate chips have fully melted and blended.
  3. Add Color: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in green gel food coloring, adjusting the amount to achieve the desired shade of green.
  4. Serve and Garnish: Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mugs. Top each serving with whipped cream and St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles for a festive touch.

Notes

  • Use whole milk and heavy cream for a rich and creamy texture, but you can substitute with alternatives like almond or oat milk for a dairy-free version.
  • Adjust the amount of sugar according to your sweetness preference.
  • If you don’t have green gel food coloring, you can use natural matcha powder as an alternative to achieve a green hue and add an earthy flavor.
  • Stir constantly while heating to prevent the white chocolate from burning or sticking to the bottom of the pan.
  • Serve immediately for the best experience.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 cup
  • Calories: 300 kcal
  • Sugar: 25 g
  • Sodium: 120 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 11 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 28 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 55 mg

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