Level up your Christmas cocktails with Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur. One sip and the smooth, creamy sweetness will make you reach for it in every holiday drink.
Italians like to make things at home. This includes tomato sauces and preserves, pasta, sausages, smallgoods, and, of course, liqueurs. Homemade things are better on many levels. You know exactly what went into your food, and food prepared with care always tastes better.
I have always liked homemade liqueurs, and I tasted quite a few while living in Italy. Since moving to Australia, though, I have had a hard time finding the alcohol needed to make them. Now that I have access to it again, I am happy to share these recipes.
Homemade liqueurs make excellent Christmas gifts. They are much easier to prepare than most people expect, although some do need a brief resting period before they reach their best flavour. This homemade White Chocolate Liqueur fits perfectly into that tradition and works well for gifting or enjoying at home.
Why We Love White Chocolate Liqueur
- Makes a great base for simple cocktails with coffee, chocolate, or vanilla flavours.
- Doubles easily for bigger batches when you want to prepare bottles for family and friends.
- Adds charm to homemade gift baskets alongside biscuits, chocolates, or panettone.
Key Ingredients for White Chocolate Liqueur
White Chocolate
Gives the liqueur its sweet, creamy flavour and smooth texture. Good-quality white chocolate melts evenly and produces a cleaner finish, so choose a brand you would enjoy eating on its own.
Milk
Helps soften the chocolate as it melts and keeps the base light enough to blend well with the cream. Fresh milk gives a cleaner, more balanced taste.
Cream
Adds richness and creates a silky mouthfeel. Regular dairy cream works best because non-dairy alternatives warm in a different way and may affect the texture after the alcohol is added.
Condensed Milk
Sweetens the mixture and contributes to the velvety consistency that makes this liqueur smooth and pleasant to drink.
Find the complete list with measurements in the recipe card below.
How to Make Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur
Step 1: Put the white chocolate and milk in a saucepan and heat gently until the chocolate melts.
Step 2: Add the cream and condensed milk and cook on low heat for 8 minutes.
Step 3: Let the mixture cool, then chill it thoroughly in the fridge.
Step 4: Add the alcohol and mix well, then strain through a sieve and pour into a bottle.
Step 5: Keep it in the fridge for a couple of days and shake well before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
A neutral, high-proof alcohol works well. It blends smoothly with the cream and chocolate and helps the liqueur keep for longer in the fridge.
You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate. The flavour and sweetness change slightly, so the result will be richer or deeper depending on the chocolate you choose.
Yes, cooling helps the texture stay smooth. Adding alcohol to a warm base can create small lumps and affect the final consistency.
It pairs well with simple desserts such as biscotti, almond biscuits, panettone, or chocolate truffles. You can also drizzle it over vanilla gelato for an easy treat.
Extra Help from the Kitchen
Use a Heavy-Bottomed Saucepan – Keep the heat steady and reduce the chance of the milk catching on the bottom while the chocolate melts.
Keep the Heat Moderate – Maintain gentle heat while cooking the dairy mixture to prevent separation and keep the final texture stable.
Stir With a Silicone Spatula – Scrape along the base and sides of the saucepan to stop any chocolate from sticking or scorching.
Cool the Mixture at Room Temperature – Let the mixture cool naturally before placing it in the fridge to prevent graininess from sudden temperature changes.
Dry the Bottles Completely – Air-dry clean glass bottles so no water remains, as moisture can affect both texture and shelf life.
Variations and Twists
Add Coffee for a Mocha Finish – Stir 1–2 tablespoons cooled espresso into the mixture before adding the alcohol to deepen the flavour and give the liqueur a gentle mocha finish enjoyed after dinner.
Infuse With Vanilla Bean – Warm the milk with a split vanilla bean and scrape the seeds into the pot to bring soft vanilla tones that blend well with the cream and chocolate.
Use White Rum Instead of Neutral Alcohol – Replace the neutral spirit with mild white rum to add a warm, rounded flavour that works well with the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Add Peppermint Extract – Add a few drops of peppermint extract to the cooled base before mixing in the alcohol to introduce a cool mint taste ideal for winter gatherings.
Storage and Shelf Life
Store Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur in clean, sealed glass bottles in the fridge. It keeps for a couple of months when chilled and handled with care.
Shake the bottle before serving to bring the mixture back together, as natural separation may occur during storage. This recipe is not suitable for freezing.
More Homemade Liqueurs to Try
Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur Recipe
Level up your Christmas cocktails with Homemade White Chocolate Liqueur. One sip and the smooth, creamy sweetness will make you reach for it in every holiday drink.
Ingredients
- 250 g – 9 oz white chocolate – chopped
- 500 ml – 2 cups milk
- 500 ml – 2 cups cream
- 300 ml – 1 ¼ cups condensed milk
- 150 ml – ¾ cup high-proof alcohol 95% OR 151-proof grain alcohol, OR the strongest available
Instructions
-
Put the white chocolate and milk in a saucepan and heat gently until the chocolate melts.
-
Add the cream and condensed milk and cook on low heat for 8 minutes.
-
Let the mixture cool, then chill it thoroughly in the fridge.
-
Add the alcohol and mix well, then strain through a sieve and pour into a bottle.
-
Keep it in the fridge for a couple of days and shake well before serving.
Recipe Notes
This liqueur keeps in the fridge for a couple of months, though it never seems to last that long once made.
For whatever reason pieces of my white chocolate solidified. could you please tell me what I did wrong. The flavor. Was amazing though
Thanks for the recipe
How many ounces does this make?
Hi Chelsey
This will make about 55 oz.
Hi Manu,
I really want to make this recipe, but have a few questions;
I have read that when you can only use less alcohol (mine is 28%, but no flavour like vodka) you need more.
Do you use less milk or cream when that happends? otherwise it would probably be not as thick?
Hi Julia! I have never tried it with a 28% alcohol. When you make it with Vodka (about 40%) it does get a little less thick. If you make it with a 28% then it will definitely be more liquid. Try and adjust the milk and cream proportions. You may have to experiment… Make a small batch at first and see what proportions work best for your taste. Let me know if I can help!
Ha Manu,
Found the 96%! just bottled it, it taste amazing!
Thank you!
One thing; in the instructions it said “Add the cream and condensed milk and cook on a low flame for 8 minutes”. it is not clear if cook means boiling or just heating on low flame?
Klaas & Julia
Just want to say how great this recipe is .. so easy and tastes great..left for a week and it separated a little so give it a good shake, it was very thick and creamy
Everyone loved it
I changed the white to dark choc and added a spoon of chilli
Alcohol I used white rum 😉
Is ot evsporated or sweetened condensed milk?
Hi Mildred, it’s sweetened condensed milk. 🙂
Hi Manu what kind of cream do you use? Heavy cream or light cream
Hi Debra
I use fresh cream, the one the you can whip to make whipped cream. It’s called pure cream in Australia. 🙂
Hi, I have a question on your white chocolate liquor recipe. What kind of alcohol did you use?
Hi Matt, I have used alcohol 95%. You can also use vodka, but you need more of it (for this recipe it would be about 190-200 ml), as it is less strong.
Just wondering what alternative you would use for the alcohol as a lot of liquor stores will not sell anymore…
Hi Bianca! I know… it’s such a pain. I still find it online, but not at the stores… You can use Vodka, though the taste won’t be 100% the same (still tasty though!). You need more Vodka, so for 1 lt (4 cups) of alcohol 95% or 151 proof grain alcohol, you need 1 1/4 lt (5 cups) of Vodka. 🙂
Hi Manuela, where can I buy this alcohol in Sydney because its hard to get that high level of alcohol?
Hi Naz
I buy it at Dan Murphy’s (https://www.danmurphys.com.au/product/DM_905095/polmos-spirytus-rectified-spirit-95-500ml)… you may need to ask in the shop, as they do not keep it out with the rest of the stuff. It’s a bit expensive, but 500 ml goes a long way! Hope it helps! 🙂
Thanks Manuela, can’t wait to try this 🙂
oh my, you have made my day. i love liqueurs, let alone homemade ones! I can;t wait to read more recipes and of course make them. Grazie, Manuela!
Love it, Manuela… a very decadent indulgence!
Im sure is amazing Manu! I love this recipe
Grazie cara!:)