Cherry Cordial Hot Chocolate

Ingredients

• 5 1/2 cups milk
• 1 1/2 cups half-and-half
• 1 1/2 cups chocolate syrup
• 1/2 cup maraschino cherry juice, divided
• 1 3/4 cups whipping cream
• 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
• Maraschino cherries with stems (optional)

Preparation

1. Heat first 3 ingredients and 7 tablespoons cherry juice in a Dutch oven over medium-low heat, stirring often.
2. Beat whipping cream at medium speed with an electric mixer until foamy; gradually add powdered sugar and reserved cherry juice, beating until soft peaks form. Serve with hot chocolate; top each serving with a cherry, if desired.