Homemade Happy Hour

  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Cocktails
  • Mocktails
  • Recipes
  • My Book
  • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • Cocktails
    • Mocktails
    • Recipes
    • My Book
    • Etsy Store
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Sweet Treats

    Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe for Rich, Creamy Hot Chocolate

    Modified: May 13, 2025 · Published: Feb 18, 2021 by Katy McAvoy

    This post contains affiliate links (paid links). Advertisements displayed on this website do not reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Skip to Recipe
    Hot Cocoa Mix

    Keep this easy, four ingredient hot cocoa mix recipe in your pantry, and you’ll be sipping a warm mug of rich hot chocolate within minutes of coming in from a chilly, snowy day. 

    Hot Chocolate Mix
    Jump to:
    • Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients
    • How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix
    • To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate
    • Recipe Tips
    • Make a DIY Hot Chocolate Gift
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Print the Recipe Card
    • Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

    Is there any better than a hot, decadent drink on a cold winter day? There’s a good six months in Michigan - especially the winter months - when I crave hot chocolate.

    And not just milk with some chocolate syrup in it or a packet of Swiss Miss in water, but the thick, rich hot chocolate you get with real sugar and 100% cocoa powder. The kind that tastes a little decadent and a lot like a treat. This recipe makes exactly that - just add hot milk.

    The best hot chocolate mixes are homemade with pantry ingredients, including real chocolate. They’ll beat out the single-serve packet hot chocolate powder full of artificial flavor you get at the grocery stores any day! 

    This hot cocoa mix stirs deliciously into ANY kind of milk (including soy milk, oat milk, and almond milk). If you’re using dairy milk, whole milk will give you a richer cup of hot chocolate, but nonfat milk works well too.

    Because this recipe is made without dairy-based powdered milk, it's perfect for your non-dairy/dairy free friends. It's also naturally gluten-free! 

    True chocolate lovers know that the best hot cocoa mix is a combination of cocoa powder and real sugars. There’s no substitute for the strong chocolate flavor that comes from real chocolate.

    Want more of a dark chocolate flavor? Increase the amount of cocoa powder in this recipe by 1-2 teaspoons.You can also decrease how much sugar is in the recipe to make it taste less milk chocolate and more dark chocolate. Making your own hot chocolate mix lets you adjust the recipe to your personal preferences and let your taste buds guide you! 

    Hot Chocolate Mix Ingredients

    Ingredients in hot cocoa mix.
    • Brown sugar - Add sweetness and a depth of flavor to the hot cocoa mix.
    • White sugar - Your basic sweetness for this mix.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder - Choose your favorite, just make sure it's unsweetened. Dark cocoa powders will get a richer, deeper chocolate flavor.
    • Vanilla extract - Use 100% vanilla extract. Nothing artificial.

    How to Make Homemade Hot Chocolate Mix

    In a small dish, combine white sugar and vanilla. 

    Mix with a fork until vanilla is evenly incorporated into the sugar. The mixture will resemble sand. 

    Vanilla and sugar mixed together

    In a medium bowl, add vanilla/sugar mixture, brown sugar, and cocoa.

    All ingredients for hot chocolate mix in one bowl.

    Whisk until everything is well combined and no lumps remain. 

    Hot Chocolate Mix whisked together

    Store covered in a cool, dry place until ready to use. 

    Hot Cocoa Mix will keep for 6-9 months.

    To Make Homemade Hot Chocolate

    Whisk 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix into 8 ounces of your favorite hot milk until the sugars are dissolved.

    1 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix

    Top with mini marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy! 

    Hot Chocolate

    Recipe Tips

    • Make sure your milk is hot enough to dissolve the sugars. The milk doesn't have to be scalding, but you do need to make sure the hot milk you're using is warm enough to melt and dissolve the sugars in the hot cocoa mix.
    • This mix makes a great, easy gift! Package hot cocoa mix in a mason jar, with a pretty ribbon, and attach a note telling the recipient to stir this hot chocolate mix into their favorite hot milk.

    Make a DIY Hot Chocolate Gift

    This hot chocolate recipe makes the quickest, easiest DIY gift ever! You probably have all of the ingredients for this hot cocoa mix in your pantry right now.

    Just mix up a batch, pour it into a mason jar, and add a fun bow. Then write "Add 2 tablespoons to 1 cup hot milk" on a tag and attach it to a jar. You now have a delicious hostess gift (or teacher appreciation present or colleague thank you gift)!

    Or download my Hot Cocoa Gift Tag Canva template. (Requires a free Canva account to use.)

    Download the Gift Tag Template
    A mug of hot chocolate topped with lots of mini marshmallows.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What kind of milk should I use?

    I make my hot chocolate with dairy milk, but any kind of milk can be used with this mix, including soy milk, oat milk, almond milk or rice milk. If you’re going to be using a milk that's already been sweetened, reduce the brown sugar in the hot cocoa mix to ⅓ cup. 

    Can I use this hot cocoa mix with hot water?

    No. You MUST use some kind of milk when making hot chocolate with this mix because there is no powdered milk or dry milk powder in it. Do not use this hot cocoa mix with just hot water. It will not taste good.

    How long does hot cocoa mix keep?

    This mix will keep for 6-9 months in a sealed container stored in a cool, dark place (like your panty or a cupboard).

    Print the Recipe Card

    Hot Chocolate Mix

    Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

    Katy McAvoy
    Keep this easy, four ingredient hot cocoa mix in your pantry, and you’ll be sipping a warm mug of rich hot chocolate within minutes of coming in from a chilly, snowy day. 
    No ratings yet
    Print Recipe SaveSaved! Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 0 minutes mins
    Total Time 5 minutes mins
    Servings 8 servings

    Equipment

    • Pint Mason Jar
    • Medium Bowls

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup brown sugar
    • ¼ cup white sugar
    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a small dish, combine white sugar and vanilla. 
      ¼ cup white sugar, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Mix with a fork until vanilla is evenly incorporated into the sugar. The mixture will resemble sand. 
    • In a medium bowl, add vanilla/sugar mixture, brown sugar, and cocoa. Whisk until everything is well combined and no lumps remain. 
      ½ cup brown sugar, ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
    • Store covered in a cool, dry place until ready to use. 

    To Make Hot Chocolate: 

    • Whisk 2 tablespoon of hot cocoa mix into 8 oz hot milk until the sugars are dissolved. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and enjoy! 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 2tablespoonsCalories: 91kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.4gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.02gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 5mgPotassium: 102mgFiber: 2gSugar: 20gCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let me know how it was!

    About Katy McAvoy

    Katy is the author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, and Michigander behind MittenGirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour. Since 2017, she's been crafting recipes for easy-to-make cocktails and delicious snacks while sharing her love of all things Michigan (a.k.a. The Mitten)!

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Ruth Moore says

      December 13, 2024 at 11:52 am

      This is really good and so easy to have on hand. I will keep a jar in the cupboard all winter.

      Reply
      • Katy McAvoy says

        December 15, 2024 at 10:12 am

        Yay! It'll keep all winter when stored in the pantry.

        Reply
    Katy McAvoy, mixologist and photographer

    Hi! I’m Katy (she/her). I’m an author, photographer, home cook, mixologist, Michigander, and lover of all things food and drink. I never turn down a good happy hour and believe that everyone deserves a delicious drink. Follow me on Instagram to check out what I’m working on next!

    More about me →

    Search

    Buy Homemade Happy Hour, a Cocktail Book

    Most Searched Recipes

    • Cranberry Mocktail
      6 Easy Mocktail Recipes with Club Soda (Non-Alcoholic)

    • A glass of pineapple old fashioned garnished with a pineapple wedge.
      Pineapple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe 

    • Glass filled with mocktail drink and garnished with a cherry and orange slice.
      Easy and Delicious Mocktail for Kids (Without Sugary Soda)

    • BBQ Meatballs in a bowl, garnished with parsley.
      Easy Stove Top Barbecue Meatballs (No Grape Jelly)

    • A coupe glass of strawberry lemon drop martini cocktail with a white sugar rim and strawberry slice garnish.
      Strawberry Lemon Drop Martini Cocktail

    • Glasses filled with red drinks and fruit, with a pitcher of red drinks in the background.
      Easy Pitcher Drinks - Large Batch Cocktails and Mocktails for a Party

    • Tomato Rice and Beans
      Easy Tomato Rice and Beans on the Stove Top

    • Non Alcoholic Piña Colada Mocktails
      Piña Colada Mocktail (Without a Blender)

    • Pineapple Vodka Martini
      Bright and Refreshing Pineapple Martini with Citrus

    • A glass of coconut margarita.
      Creamy Coconut Margarita Recipe (On the Rocks)

    Footer

    Website

    Privacy Policy

    Disclaimer

    Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    Sign up for weekly emails

    Contact

    Work with Me

    Contact Me

    As an Amazon Associate and Amazon Influencer, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Mitten Girl LLC. All rights reserved.

    Advertisements displayed on this website do not in any way reflect endorsements or recommendations made by Mitten Girl LLC.

    Mittengirl.com and Homemade Happy Hour are properties of Mitten Girl LLC.
    All photographs, text, and recipes on this site may not be copied to social media, or used for any commercial
    or AI purposes without the express written permission of the site owner.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required