Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

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posted by Amy Johnsonon January 24, 2022 29 comments »

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Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate is super simple to make with only four ingredients. A little lighter, but oh so decadent, this Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe will warm you right up.

As soon as the thermometer begins to drop, the leaves fall, and winter creeps in, it means it’s hot chocolate season. And what a wonderful season it is! To celebrate the season, I’m sharing a recipe for Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe. I’ve been making hot chocolate this way for a while now and cannot believe how incredible it tastes, especially for being a lower carb and lower-calorie version. Every time, every single time, I go back to the refrigerator to check to make sure I’m not reading the coconut milk carton wrong. But no, it does have less carbs and calories than regular milk, and it tastes so luscious in hot cocoa.

Why I Like Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate

When Starbucks and several other coffee shops started carrying coconut milk as a dairy-free alternative to regular milk a few years ago, I had to try it. It turned out to be a fabulous substitute in a mocha. I don’t really care for the word “substitute” in this case. It sounds negative as if you’re missing out on something by substituting. In this case, with the coconut milk? Nope. Not at all.

Each time I requested a mocha with coconut milk, I thought they botched my order. Instead of mocha with espresso, I thought I was being served a really expensive hot chocolate. But no. It’s just that the coconut milk adds so much richness, and it cuts the bitterness of the coffee. Once, after leaving the drive-thru at Starbucks, my husband, Randy, actually got out of the car and walked in to make sure they didn’t give us both hot chocolates instead of mochas, but they said the drinks were definitely mochas with espresso. Crazy is what it is. Crazy good.

How to MakeCoconut Milk Hot Chocolate

ThisCoconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe is super easy and quick to make. In about 20 minutes, you’ll be sipping this chocolatey goodness. It really is that easy.

  1. Begin by warming the coconut milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat, then whisk in cocoa powder (I like to use dark cocoa powder), sugar and cinnamon until thoroughly combined. The cocoa powder needs a bit of persuading to mix in. Be patient it will combine.
  2. Continue to cook until warm throughout.
  3. If desired, top with fresh whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon, or more cocoa powder. That’s it! Grab a mug and enjoy.

Tips and Toppings for Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate

  • This recipe calls for refrigerated UNSWEETENED coconut milk that comes in a carton, NOT canned coconut milk.
  • Any other type of milk may be substituted in the same amount for coconut milk.
  • As mentioned before, combining the cocoa powder takes some patience. Just keep whisking, it will eventually combine. You can also put the cocoa powder in a small cup or bowl, then add a bit of the warmed coconut milk and stir to make a paste, then stir that into the pot of warming goodness.
  • While you do not have to add toppings, it is a simple addition that makes hot chocolate a bit fancy. Some topping ideas you can use for this hot chocolate are regular whipped cream or coconut whipped cream (whipped from the creamy part of the canned coconut milk), with a light dusting of ground cinnamon or cocoa powder, or chocolate shavings. Or even a few candy sprinkles (jimmies, hundreds and thousands) would be great on top of the whipped cream.
  • Is it warm in your neck of the woods? Serve thisCoconut Milk Hot Chocolate over ice or blend it up a make a frozen hot chocolate. Or would that be a frozen cold chocolate? Anyway, whatever you want to call it, I call it good.

More tasty beverages to warm you right up:

  • Mocha Coffee Punch
  • Lemon Ginger Tea Recipe
  • Hot Buttered Rum
  • Spiced Cranberry Hot Toddy Recipe
  • Mocha Frappe Recipe
  • White Hot Chocolate Recipe from Small Town Woman

Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe

Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe (4)

Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe

A delicious butlighter hot chocolate recipe made with coconut milk.

Ingredients

  • 4 cups unsweetened coconut milk (refrigerated in a carton)
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened dark cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar (adjust sweetness to taste)
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

  1. Warm coconut milk in a saucepan over medium-low heat.
  2. Whisk in remaining ingredients until thoroughly combined. Continue to cook over medium-low heat until warm throughout.
  3. Serve topped with fresh whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

Notes

This recipe calls for refrigerated unsweetened coconut milk, the kind that comes in a carton in the milk section. NOT canned coconut milk.

I like to buy coconut milk and almond milk that is Carrageenan-free. I don’t know about all the studies on it, but I can usually find it without it so that’s what I get.

Whisking the cocoa powder is a bit of a pain, but it will definitely eventually combine. Another trick is to add a bit of warmed coconut milk to the cocoa powder and stir to make a paste-like combo, then add that into the warming coconut milk.

Any other milk can be used as a substitute in the same amount.

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment on the blog or share a photo on Facebook

Originally published March 10, 2015.

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Appetizers Drinks Recipes

published on January 24, 2022

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29 comments on “Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe”

  1. JuhiReply

    Can’t wait to have it in my mouth 😛 looks so yummy 🙂

  2. sureshReply

    Hey, Dear
    This is great recipe chocolate. I love this chocolate and I like this your recipe. Thank you very much for this sharing recipe chocolate.

  3. trendingeraReply

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  4. Linda HReply

    Thank you for this wonderful recipe! My boys and I LOVE it! I don’t even have to include the cinnamon and it’s still delicious!

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Coconut Milk Hot Chocolate Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What milk alternative is best for hot cocoa? ›

The best type of milk for making hot chocolate is whole milk. This is because the higher fat content in whole milk creates a creamier and richer hot chocolate. However, if you are looking for a healthier option, almond milk or oat milk can also work well as they add a subtle nutty or oaty flavor to the hot chocolate.

Can you make hot chocolate with coconut milk at Starbucks? ›

from Starbucks. * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

Can I heat coconut milk? ›

Coconut milk: Coconut milk is a popular ingredient in many Asian and Indian dishes, and it can be heated without issue. However, it's important to note that coconut milk has a high fat content, which can make it thicker and creamier than other types of plant-based milk.

What are the benefits of drinking coconut milk? ›

Coconut milk may fight against bacterial, viral, and fungal infections. It may act as a quick source of energy. Coconut milk may enhance digestion. It may also protect against breast cancer.

How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›

You can also make a rich and creamy hot chocolate by using water and adding a thickening agent like cornstarch or arrowroot powder. Another option is to use a non-dairy hot chocolate mix or make your own mix using cocoa powder, sugar, and spices.

What is the creamiest vegan milk? ›

Oat Milk. Oat milk is perhaps the creamiest of all the plant milks. Its thick creamy texture means it's one of the closest plant-based milks to resemble dairy milk. Oat milk is quickly becoming a favorite non-dairy alternative to milk with popular brands like Oatly disrupting the traditional milk industry.

Does Starbucks add sugar to coconut milk? ›

A couple key things to keep in mind: Starbucks' coconut milk contains added sugars (cane sugar is the third ingredient), and it's low-protein—a 16 oz coconut milk latte has just 2 g, while a 2% milk latte has 12 g.

What brand of coconut milk does Starbucks use in their drinks? ›

Since introducing it to their menu back in 2015, Starbucks has carried the same brand of coconut milk, which is specially crafted by Starbucks itself: Single Origin Sumatra Coconut Milk.

Is Starbucks coconut milk real coconut milk? ›

It's not just that Starbucks coconut milk is a watered down version (which would be perfectly fine if it was otherwise unadulterated), it's that it's basically sugar water with emulsifiers and a little bit of coconut product.

When not to use coconut milk? ›

For example, if consuming products that are low in fat is a priority, coconut milk may not be your best choice due to its high fat content, which contributes most of the calories of coconut milk. In addition, regarding protein content, cow's milk and soy milk have more protein than coconut milk and almond milk.

Can I drink coconut milk every day? ›

Coconuts are one of those foods that oscillate between the 'good' and 'bad' food camps. Coconut milk, especially the lower-fat variety, can be used in moderation (up to two times per week).

Does coconut milk burn belly fat? ›

Coconut milk contains small amounts of MCTs. Although MCTs may increase metabolism and help you lose belly fat, the low levels in coconut milk are unlikely to significantly affect weight loss.

Is coconut milk an anti inflammatory? ›

Coconut milk is rich in medium-chain triglycerides lauric acid, and other essential components and has anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties. This plant-based diet consists of nutrients necessary for keeping the body in good health.

Can coconut milk detox your body? ›

Of course, portion control is important considering the calorie count of coconut milk, but as a part of a healthy diet, it provides necessary fatty acids in addition to other minerals that support weight loss and detoxification.

Is hot cocoa better with water or milk? ›

In terms of ranking, we agreed that the cocoa made with milk provided an ultra-smooth experience and was our favorite. However, we were pleasantly surprised by how much we enjoyed the water-based cocoa. While it wasn't as creamy as the milk, it had its benefits.

Can I use water instead of milk with hot cocoa mix? ›

All you had to do was dump the Hot Cocoa mix in your mug, add water or milk and top with your favorite toppings! So easy, yet so nostalgic and cozy. I created my own super quick, hot chocolate with cocoa powder that requires just 3 simple ingredients!

What are some alternatives for chocolate milk? ›

Almond chocolate milk or coconut almond chocolate milk. Any nut milk will have added benefits and less hormones that we get from cows milk. There is also oat milk but with each there is a taste you have to adjust to but I've been on nut milks for awhile and to me almond and coconut milks taste closest to cows milk.

Which plant based milk doesn t curdle? ›

Oat milk's steaming capabilities are similar to dairy milk's. There's a slight learning curve for the barista using it, but in general it performs incredibly well for latte art. It has another benefit too: it won't curdle when added cold to a hot drink.

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