Instant Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Using Water | Milk Allergy Mom Recipe (2024)

As an adult with more sophisticated taste, I definitely prefer creamy hot cocoa.

But kids don’t bat an eye at this dairy-free hot chocolate made with water.

If you find yourself in a pinch, this coca recipe will work.

I know, hot chocolate with just water sounds a little iffy, doesn’t it?

I agree.

But when you are plum out of dairy-free milk and all the kids on the street are chanting in the snowy front yard for hot cocoa…

you find a way to make it happen.

And when they surprisingly love your emergency hot cocoa?

You pat yourself on the back for pulling this off…

and then make a blog post to brag about it, ha ha.

Plus, maybe you’ll be inspired to cheap out on hot chocolate, too.

CAN YOU MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE WITH JUST WATER

I knew making hot chocolate with just water was a gamble.

Google searches pretty much told me this would be disastrous,

who makes hot chocolate without milk?

But I was willing to take my chances.

Kids are easy to please, right?

So after a little trial and error,

I finally secured a decent hot chocolate with basic ingredients from the pantry…and water.

And shoot, this was so inexpensive to make that I’m willing to supply the neighborhood kids all winter long.

Here’s the secret.

Just make sure you add a splash of SOMETHING creamy.

And of course, make sure your “something creamy” is dairy-free if you have milk allergy like us.

HOW TO MAKE HOT CHOCOLATE CREAMY

To make your water hot chocolate creamy enough to please the kids,

just add a dash of one creamy ingredient.

By dash, I mean about 2 tablespoons.

If you have milk allergy, make sure it’s a dairy-free ingredient.

To give you some ideas, here are some creamy dairy-free ingredients we’ve used in our hot chocolate made with water.

CREAMY INGREDIENT OPTIONS

Of course, choose dairy-free versions for milk allergy.

Also be mindful if you’re choosing something sweet or unsweet.

The hot cocoa made with water is already going to be quite sweet.

milk

whipped cream

canned coconut milk

coffee creamer

ice cream

marshmallows

You get the idea.

A little something creamy will make this hot cocoa recipe work,

even though it’s made primarily with water. Just use what you have on hand.

That’s the whole point of this interesting recipe.

My own kids love marshmallows in their hot chocolate.

And marshmallows are your best bet for making this recipe into a pre-made hot chocolate mix…

which I will also explain how to do! See below.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Yes, since that successful day with the chanting neighborhood kids,

I was further inspired to make an on-the-go version of this simple hot chocolate recipe.

Because with milk allergy, it’s so hard to enjoy hot chocolate out and about. Drive through is a no-no for us.

All I have to do to make this ahead of time is leave out the extracts since they are liquid.

And I use two tablespoons of marshmallows for the creamy ingredient since it’s also shelf stable.

Just throw the ingredients into a baggie (cocoa, sugar, chocolate, salt, marshmallows), and you’ve got yourself an easy pre-made hot chocolate mix!

If you want to be extra savvy,

store individual servings of instant hot chocolate mix in coffee-to-go foam cups with lids…

and you’ll be out-the-door-ready for the pumpkin patch or Christmas light drives.

This is especially perfect for milk allergy families who can’t buy hot chocolate at festive events.

Now here’s that crazy recipe that the kids enjoy, and I hope yours enjoy, too.

INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX DAIRY-FREE RECIPE

Makes One Serving

INGREDIENTS FOR INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

2 Tbs. cocoa powder
2 Tbs. powdered sugar
1 Tbs. dairy-free chocolate chips
2 Tbs. of something creamy (see list above)
dash of salt
Splash of vanilla extract (don’t use if making mix ahead of time) (affiliate)
Splash of peppermint extract (optional, don’t use if making mix ahead of time) (affiliate)
extra marshmallows or whip for garnish.

HOW TO MAKE INSTANT HOT CHOCOLATE MIX

Heat enough water in your tea kettle (affiliate) for 6 oz. per serving.

Put 2 Tbs. cocoa, 2 Tbs. powdered sugar, 1 Tbs. chocolate chips, and dash of salt in the bottom of each mug(s).

Mix dry ingredients together.

Pour hot water (or hot milk of your choice) over mixture in the mugs and stir vigorously until chocolate chips are melted.

Add 2 Tbs. of one creamy dairy-free ingredient: marshmallows, milk, whipped cream, canned coconut milk, coffee creamer, or ice cream.

Top with extra marshmallows or whip (optional).

Enjoy your simple, instant, homemade hot chocolate using just water.

You may also like our favorite dairy-free hot cocoa packets we’ve found since creating this post!

This post was originally posted in December 2015.

Instant Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Using Water | Milk Allergy Mom Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Can you substitute water for milk in hot chocolate? ›

All you need to make hot chocolate at home is cocoa powder, sugar, and milk or water.

Why do people make hot chocolate with water instead of milk? ›

Additionally, there's an appeal to using water for its potential to create a truer hot chocolate experience. Milk, with its white base, can dilute the brown color of the hot chocolate. In contrast, water's clear base allows the cocoa to appear much darker.

Should I make instant hot chocolate with milk or water? ›

Although hot chocolate doesn't necessarily need an even more creamy, decadent taste, using milk certainly enriches the experience. We suspect that milk adds a creamier taste than water alone, and when combined with the notes of chocolate, the smooth undertones of the milk simply add a delicious backdrop.

What dairy free milk is best for hot chocolate? ›

Almond milk – adds a subtle nutty flavour to beverages and is less thick than oat milk. Soya milk – rich and creamy with a subtle yet distinctive taste. Hazelnut milk – adds a chocolatey hazelnut undertone to your drink, extra creamy. Coconut milk – offers a fragrant coconut flavour.

Can you have hot chocolate with just hot water? ›

No, it is not necessary to add milk to hot chocolate. You can make it using water, or another liquid of your choice, such as almond milk or soy milk. The traditional recipe is made with milk, but you can experiment with different liquids to find the taste and consistency that you prefer.

Can you use water for chocolate milk? ›

Combine some of the chocolate powder with a little bit of warm water. When you are ready to make some chocolate milk, measure out 1 to 2 tablespoons (7.5 to 15 grams) of your chocolate powder, and put it into a glass. Stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons (15 to 30 milliliters) of warm water to help dissolve the powder.

Can you make abuelita hot chocolate with water? ›

Instant: Dissolve 1 packet of Instant Hot Chocolate Mix in 1 mug of hot water and enjoy.

What is the difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa? ›

Hot Chocolate is made using solid chocolate melted in warm milk or cream. Hot Cocoa, however, is made from a powdered base of cocoa with added sugar and dissolved in hot water or hot milk.

Is Swiss Miss hot chocolate better with water or milk? ›

Interestingly, regardless of the type of liquid used, the Swiss Miss flavor came through nice and strong, even with the milk. The presence of milk didn't hinder the hot chocolate in any way, nor did it significantly amplify the flavor.

Can you make Nesquik hot chocolate with water? ›

Can you make NESQUIK with water? You can mix NESQUIK powder with any beverage of your choice - milk, water or plant-based milk. Do NESQUIK products have any caffeine? Strawberry, Vanilla and Banana Strawberry flavored NESQUIK are 100% caffeine free and the Chocolate and Fudge Brownie flavors are 99% caffeine free.

How to make hot cocoa with water taste good? ›

Pour in a tiny bit of hot water and try to make a paste out of it so the chocolate is dissolved. You can microwave it for a few seconds to help the process. Once it is a paste pour in a bit more hot water and stir well. Add more hot water till you have your desired amount and stir well.

Which dairy free milk tastes most like milk? ›

The test made a few things clear: soy milk, at its best, tastes closest to cow's milk. Oat tastes like a sweetly nutty cereal milk while almond tastes like the water left in your sink after washing the breakfast dishes.

What is the best non-dairy milk to heat up? ›

Our Favorite Dairy-Free Milk Substitutes for Cooking
Dairy Milk SubstituteWhat Is It Best For?
Cashew MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert
Hemp MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert
Soy MilkCooking or baking any dish or dessert Performs well in hot liquids such as coffee or sauces
3 more rows
Jun 15, 2023

What is the creamiest vegan 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.

Why does hot chocolate not mix with water? ›

If the water is lukewarm, the hot chocolate will become lumpy and hard to dissolve even when stirred. Pro-Tip: Try adding a small amount of water to the hot chocolate powder to make a paste, mixing it well until all the lumps are dissolved before filling the cup up the rest of the way with hot water.

Do you put milk or water in options hot chocolate? ›

For a perfect mug of Options, boil water and let it cool slightly. Put 3 teaspoons (11g) of Options into your favourite mug, fill with hot water and stir well. For a creamier drink try adding a dash of milk.

Is hot chocolate originally made with water or milk? ›

To make the chocolate drink, which was served cold, the Maya ground cocoa seeds into a paste and mixed it with water, cornmeal, chili peppers, and other ingredients. They then poured the drink back and forth from a cup to a pot until a thick foam developed.

How do you thicken hot chocolate without milk? ›

3 Ingredient Hot Chocolate:

Cornstarch: As discussed above, this is what thickens the whole thing, so this is a must. I use a big heaped tablespoon, make sure to whisk it in well to dissolve it, and then let it boil a little. Chocolate: This is the most important thing, so use quality chocolate.

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