Learn how to make the Best Vegan Hot Chocolate EVER! Even readers agree! Just 6 ingredients and ready in 5 minutes! This is better than the dairy versions I used to drink. Semi-sweet chocolate and cocoa powder are what gives a rich chocolate flavor!
Today I’m sharing the absolute best hot chocolate I’ve ever had, vegan or not! It is so creamy, so rich and so decadent and nobody would guess it’s vegan. The same goes for my Homemade Vegan Chocolate Milk.
This recipe is the dairy-free chocolate of my dreams and very exciting to share today.
I haven’t posted here in about a month and I don’t think I’ve ever done that since I started this blog in 2013. However, I had been working nonstop and posting new recipes weekly and was feeling a bit tired. Then I got into a really bad car wreck and got pretty bruised up and really sore. I’m completely healed and fine now, but my car was totaled. I’m truly the most thankful that my daughter was in school and not in the car with me!
I also am back with this delicious best vegan hot chocolate recipe! This dairy-free hot chocolate recipe was a creation from last year and shared a snap of it on this Instagram. I never got around to sharing it on my blog, but now that the weather is cold again and I’m drinking it again, now is the time.
WHY THIS IS THE BEST VEGAN HOT CHOCOLATE
I’m very, very picky when it comes to hot chocolate. Too many recipes are too watery, too bland, not chocolatey enough or sweet enough for me. I’ve tried so many. I don’t want my hot chocolate cloyingly sweet, but I don’t like it too bitter either.
Well, this dairy-free hot chocolate is my favorite ever.
It’s rich, creamy and a rich, decadent chocolate flavor, as well as perfectly sweetened. It’s not too thick, in other words, it’s not a French hot chocolate, haha. I’ve had a French hot chocolate in Paris many years ago and it’s VERY thick and rich and like drinking straight chocolate. Yummy, yes, but a bit too much for when I want to sit down and enjoy a full cup of hot chocolate.
THE BEST INGREDIENTS FOR VEGAN HOT CHOCOLATE
So, to achieve my perfect Vegan Hot Chocolate, I used:
- semi-sweet chocolate
- unsweetened cocoa powder
- maple syrup
- canned “lite” coconut milk (forget almond milk, not creamy enough and too strong of a flavor)
- ground espresso
- vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
Lite coconut milk leaves no flavor whatsoever of coconut, but is the perfect creamy base for this.
The need for chocolate chips is because they contain cocoa butter and that is what helps make this a rich chocolate flavor, as well as thicken it up when it heats up. My favorite brand is Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips, because they are vegan. Just cocoa powder is hot cocoa, but this is hot chocolate. It should be richer and creamier. I see many often get them confused, but they are definitely different.
See those delicious cookies in the photos? They are my DOUBLE CHOCOLATE FUDGE CRINKLE COOKIES and are to die for! Get them here!
The Best Vegan Hot Chocolate!
Ingredients
- One 13.5 oz can "lite" coconut milk this truly is the best milk to make hot chocolate, I would advise against subbing as others I've tried were not good. Lite leaves NO coconut taste!
- 2 tablespoons 12 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 heaping tablespoons 40 g semi-sweet dairy-free chocolate chips (I used Enjoy Life)
- 1-2 tablespoons 20 g maple syrup, depending on your sweet-o-meter, I did 2
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon ground espresso or instant coffee you can leave out if you want, but it makes the chocolate flavor stronger
- 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt
- Optional: whipped cream shaved chocolate, marshmallows, etc.
Note:
- I recommend Thai Kitchen brand for the lite coconut milk. It is amazing and always so smooth and creamy not watery. Many brands can be rather watery and not smooth.
Instructions
- If you have a Vitamix, then add all of the ingredients to the blender and blend for a few minutes on high until completely smooth and frothy. If you don't have a high-speed blender, then add all of the ingredients, except the chocolate chips, to a blender or food processor and process until smooth and frothy. It will only get frothy on a high speed and after a few minutes.
- Add the mixture to a pot over medium heat and then add the chocolate chips. Once it begins to bubble, whisk continuously for about 4 minutes until well heated and has thickened just a bit. You don't want to overcook it, or it will get too thick. I found this to be the perfect level of sweetness, but if you want yours a tad sweeter, add a little more maple syrup. Remove and pour into mugs and add whipped cream, shaved chocolate, marshmallows, cinnamon, etc. Enjoy!
- This makes enough for 2 mugs. If you are just wanting 1 serving, then place the rest in the fridge and when you are ready to use it, give it a good whisk and reheat on low.
Sadly, this recipe keeps getting stolen and posted on other sites. If you make this recipe, please do not re-post it on your site, please link to me instead giving proper credit. If you are inspired by this recipe, again, please give proper credit and do not simply post it on your site.
sorry about your car, SAME happened to my kiddo the day after Thanskgiving. Still waiting on insurance to settle and she is healing. Thankful you both are alive and well
Oh, thank you so much for saying that. Very scary for sure. So sorry to hear about your kid getting into a wreck, too! Glad to hear she is healing though, so thankful for that!
Hi! I am a big fan and this recipe looks amazing. I will definitely try it soon as we get in the Christmas spirit, nothing is better than hot chocolate and cookies. Could you please tell me what kind of whipped cream you use. I am very wary of unhealthy ingredients even in vegan products. Thank you.
Thank you so much Natasha! I actually don’t use whipped cream very often and when I do, I buy the So Delicious “lite” whipped cream that comes in a container called “CocoWhip”. I wouldn’t call it healthy, but I rarely use it. I honestly don’t believe you are going to find a healthy whipped cream, unfortunately, because they will all use some type of ingredients to preserve it and flavor it. For this post though, I tried this soy whipped cream that sprays beautifully from a can. It is my first time trying it and I wanted to use it for the photos since the other whipped cream I can never get to spray nicely and it melts instantly. The soy whipped cream tastes pretty good, but I wasn’t crazy about it and likely won’t buy it again. For the healthiest version of vegan whipped cream, it is best to make your own from a can of full-fat coconut milk. Chill in the fridge for a couple of days at least, so the fat cream part separates, then just scoop out the hardened cream and whip that for about 10 minutes until fluffy. Add sugar and vanilla to sweeten. That is why I use for my pumpkin cupcakes in this recipe here:
It’s absolutely delicious, thick and creamy, it just won’t work too well for photographing hot chocolate, lol.
https://thevegan8.com/2014/10/28/gluten-free-pumpkin-spice-latte-cupcakes/
Hope all that helps and let me know when you make this hot chocolate, come back and leave me feedback!
Thank you for such a quick response. You are awesome!! I have actually tried making whipped cream that way but I totally understand the need for good pics and yours are always amazing. I will definitely come back to give feedback once I make your recipe. And glad you’re ok btw. Sometimes it is a sign from the Universe to slow down and take care of one’s self. Much gratitude your way…
Totally agree with you Natasha….thank you so much 🙂
Made your hot chocolate for the kids this morning and they absolutely loved it! Thanks again for another amazing recipe 😊
That is so wonderful! So happy to hear the kids loved it! Yay!
You are back!!!!! I certainly have missed you but I am glad you took a break because you needed rest. You need to look after yourself first. I am glad you are all healed up and I am certainly so glad you are still with us. The accident sounded bad with your car being totaled. Wow. I am glad you got your insurance money and were able to get a new car already. It is a horrible way to get a new car but at least a n new car is a little exciting. 😛
Oh my and yassss vegan hot chocolate. Girl you freaking rock!!!!! I miss hot chocolate and I have no doubt this will be the best hot chocolate ever. I am so excited to try it. And I am going to try to get my roommate to try it because she loves loves loves hot chocolate especially this time a year but hers are not vegan unfortunately. If she likes this maybe she will switch. I am so excited can’t wait to make it. I am dong my grocery shopping on Saturday so I will be making it this Sunday when my roommate is home, it works out perfect 😀
Thank you so much Christina! Glad to be back posting again and even more grateful to all of you being so kind and showing your care and love! It was a bad accident, but thank God for seatbelts is all I can say! That seatbelt saved my life.
Oh yay, I hope you love it! Come back and let me know and I swear your roommate should love it! It tastes just like a rich dairy version, I swear. Don’t tell her it’s vegan, lol! I swear, sometimes people automatically will think something is different just because it’s technically vegan. I have a family member like that. Anyways, I hope she loves it!
Omg Brandi! I am so sorry to hear about your car accident and so relieved to know you’re alright! Sorry about your car but yay for a new one. Wishing you 350,000 miles of safe driving in it! And btw, this hot chocolate looks fantastic! Can’t wait to try it! ❤️
Thank you so much Diana! Let me know when you do!
Of course I have missed you and your posts!!! Way to come back with a chocolate bang, I was so excited to see a new recipe from you pop into my inbox 🙂 I’ve been working on a hot chocolate recipe too (fruit-sweetened of course, so different), but right now I just want a big perfect whipped cream-topped mug of yours! Light coconut milk is the perfect balance of creamy but not too rich for hot chocolate, and I love throwing in some actual chips for extra thickness/richness too. But the espresso and sea salt is what I am most curious about with this recipe! You are always adding in those little details that just put it over the top from delicious to perfect, I love it! Love the mug and photos too, especially the up close top shot with the fluffy white and sprinkle of shavings–total YUM!!
Thank you so much girl! So glad you love the photos!! Oh yes, the salt and espresso just really enriches that chocolate flavor. In fact, I’d even say 1/4 teaspoon would be even better! Salt is so necessary for me with chocolate!
I wondered where you went! I’m so sorry to hear that you were hurt, but glad to know you are OKAY and recovering/recovered. So, so scary. Coincidentally, I was rear-ended about 2 weeks ago but thankfully suffered nothing more than a sore neck afterwards. (My car was also rendered a junker.)
Hot chocolate pretty much gets me through winter. I couldn’t live without it! I’m also picky and find that most commercial (aka ones from coffee shops, etc.) varieties are over-the-top sweet. I guess that’s how most people like them. I think the ground espresso in yours is key – – balances the chocolate and the sweet. Absolutely stunning photos, too!
Thank you so much Annie! Yes, a definite mini break was in order. I feel much better now. So very sorry about you being rear-ended!! Wrecks are just so scary and it takes awhile to get over them, not just physically, but emotionally too. Glad you are ok, too!
I agree, coffee shops tend to add a bucket of sugar to them. This one has a nice balance of sweet and major chocolatey-ness. It is truly the perfect cup for me. It’s dangerous because I want to drink it all the time, haha!
Thank you so much, that is so kind of you! Pain to photograph whipped cream on hot chocolate though, it melts in mere seconds! Grrr!
Looks great! 🙂 Glad you are back and that you were not terribly hurt in the car wreck. Stay warm and safe out there.
Me too, thank you so much Kayla!
I was SO excited to see a recipe from you waiting in my inbox! OMG! I am SO sorry about the car wreck! That is so scary, but I am relieved to hear that you’re all healed up and OKAY! I’m also glad that you listened to your body and took a break…it’s amazing what some time away will do – I’m sure you’re coming back with LOTS of drool-worthy recipes. Um, like this one!!! Wow. This looks incredible!!! I looooooove hot chocolate and it’s pretty much a winter staple around here. I love that you added in chocolate chips and espresso powder…a dangerous, but delicious combo! Topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings takes this over the top – what a gorgeous mug of chocolate-y goodness. And that mug!!!! I LOVE it! Those cookies look like a perfect way to pair it, too. OK, rambling done! So wonderful to see you back here! Lots of love, my friend <3
Thank you so much my sweet friend!! I couldn’t remember if I told you about my wreck or not in our emails….I had talked about it so much that I was sick of talking about it, haha. I’m doing just fine now and just so happy that Olivia wasn’t with me! I was on my way to pick her up and was just a minute away, then this crazy fast teenager pulled RIGHT in front of me. It was sooo awful. My left hand is still screwed up and may be for quite awhile, but other than that, I’m fine now.
Thank you so much! Isn’t that mug the cutest?? I got it at Home Goods super cheap and the second I saw it, I knew it would be destined for my Hot Chocolate post, lol! I will email you soon! Love you!
So sorry to hear you were in an accident, very glad you have come through okay and are recovering from it and that you got some much needed rest! Enjoy the holiday season!
Thank you so much Kay!
This is gorgeous! And I love the ingredients, so healthy! Beautiful recipe, can’t wait to try!
So sweet, thank you so much Heather!
First, so glad you’re ok from the accident! Not a good experience.
I’ll be making this as soon as I finish sewing the last 18″ of binding on a warm, winter quilt!
And I have all Ingredients in the house!
Thanks for a wonderful holiday gift!
Sounds wonderful Marcy! Let me know what you think!
Hi Brandi! I’ve been following you for a couple years now, I’ve tried a lot of your recipes and I always love them! A year ago I finally went fully vegan and stopped eating wheat as well. I have always loved to cook and bake and it is so hard to find good recipes to fit my limitations now. Yours are always great and I really appreciate what you do so I just wanted to say Thanks! And also so sorry to hear about your accident and glad you are ok. This hot chocolate looks so delicious, I can’t wait to try it!!
That is so sweet Jillian, thank you so much for telling me that! I really do love hearing from readers and it gives me continued motivation, so, thank you! Thank you again. Be sure to come back and tell me what you think of this hot chocolate!
Both look irresistible to me. Have you a recipe for the chocolate cookies with the powdered sugar that you paired with your hot chocolate? Sure hope so, I make many of your recipes, keep them coming!!!!!
Thank you so much Judy! So glad to hear you are enjoying the recipes! 🙂 That cookie recipe is a Chocolate Powdered Crinkle Cookie! Super delicious, but I haven’t perfected the recipe for the texture yet, hoping to nail it this week! I’m enjoying the “failed ones” in the meantime, lol!
I did miss you Brandi!
Thankfully you are okay… love to see your creations. Take good care 🙂
You are so sweet, thank you Paula!
You need even more cozy hot chocolate after that!! O goodness!
To me, nothing will ever beat good old Swiss Miss hot cocoa mix (with the mini marshmallows that melted right when you added the hot water…so kinda pointless) but drinking that after coming back in the house from playing in a fresh snow fall with my brother…memories!
Oh yes, I remember that stuff too, great for hot cocoa! But for hot chocolate, this stuff is legit, haha! Thanks lady!
Oh my gosh, this looks so good! Rich, creamy, and way healthier than most of the cocoa recipes I’ve seen.
Thank you Becky!
This really does look like the best hot chocolate! I wish I had a mug of it right now!
Thank you so much Dianne!
Hello dear Brandi,
I am perhaps your fan who lives the furthest away–down under in Tasmania, Australia! I am thankful for the miracle of the internet that we can share our talents and goodwill with fellow human beings all around the planet. You have so much to give and have given to all of us; your enthusiasm for life and creativity are infectious! Thank you for everything you are and do. This is also a wonderful medium for connecting with one another in spirit, to increase our humanity and compassion for one another. I am so heartened to know that you are safe and secure after your accident, and trust that you know beyond doubt that you are loved and care for by so many–you have angels everywhere looking after you and your family and guiding your paths. You are meant to be here and share your love and light with all, and your little girl will always know her mother’s unconditional love and care. Please take good rest for yourself, and be gentle, tender, and patient with your body, mind, and emotions. Surround yourself with all life-affirming thoughts and things that bring you joy, comfort and peace. I know I speak for all your blog followers in sending you and your family our love and best wishes. I know you will share a joyous, meaning-filled Christmas and a bright and beautiful new year. You are blessed and a blessing!
All love from Terry
This really is the best hot chocolate ever! I did not use the coffee, and I used coconut milk from a cartoon, (so delicious) I will be making this a lot this winter. It was amazing!!!! LOVED IT!!!!! Can you tell I really liked it a lot?
Yay!! So happy you loved it AND that you agree it’s the best, haha! Thank you so much for making it so fast and leaving feedback!!!
Sorry to hear of what happened to you. Good to know that you are back on track. Love your recipes. Is it possible to use Carob instead of cocoa, just to avoid the caffeine?
Thank you Jeyam for your kind words! I’m afraid I am not sure of how carob would work. I’ve never tried it like this and since there is 3 tbsp of chocolate chips in addition to the cocoa powder, which is needed for the thickness and richness of the hot chocolate, I don’t know how you would achieve that with just carob. I just can’t give advice without knowing if it would work well or not, I’m so sorry!
Glad you are back! This looks wonderful. Hope you continue to feel better and better.
Thank you so much Laurel!
Who doesn’t love a huge cup of amazing hot chocolate! Looks so indulgent and good. And I love that mug!! I’m putting my suit on and going in for a dip!
Thanks! It really is so indulgent and good!
So glad you are ok. Healing myself from spinal fusion in my neck. Down time is good for healing. Looking forward to some hot chocolate as soon as this neck brace comes off!
Oh my gosh, Linda, I’m so sorry to hear about that and your neck! I pray you heal well and quickly!
Oh car accidents are scary and it takes a while to get back to your happy place. Glad you are alright.
This recipe is a keeper.
Thank you Catt, so glad you like the recipe!
So sorry to hear about your accident..time and unforseen occurrences befall us all….unfortunately….but continue to get better each day….Love your recipe..
Thank you very much Linda. Yes, I completely agree with you 🙂
Glad you are ok! <3
Thank you so much Stephanie!
I’m sorry about the accident but glad you’re okay now. This recipe looks pretty amazing and I haven’t had a good hot chocolate in decades!
Thank you so much Mary, give it a try!
Brandi, I am so sorry to hear about the car accident! I am so glad you and your family are safe! I hope your aches heal soon. How scary!! Glad to see you are staying cozy with hot cocoa, that’s one of my faves too!
So sweet of you to say that Karissa, thank you very much!
I’ve been chugging hot chocolate here in the frigid Chicago area. I can’t wait to try your recipe. I’ve made it with coconut milk before but I could taste the coconut. That’s not a bad thing, but I have to be in the mood. It looks delicious!
Thanks, Linda! That’s precisely why I use “lite” coconut milk because it leaves NO coconut taste at all, unlike the full fat kind. It is creamy and rich like dairy milk, but no off taste to take away from the hot chocolate. I’ve tried pretty much all the non-dairy milks and it is the best. I definitely don’t want to taste coconut either in my hot chocolate!
This seems like the perfect balance of chocolate and sweet flavors, I’m with you many chocolate recipes are to intense, or bland so this is a new amazing blend. And with that topping, so delicious!
I’m so glad that you are recovering! That must have been terrifying.
I’ve been working on a hot chocolate recipe too! ‘Tis the season for it, right? Yours looks so creamy and indulgent!
oh bajeezers! I just read your post about your car accident! I am so sorry to hear and I feel like an assjack for not sending my thoughts to you when I commented on your IG post of this incredibly irresistible mug of love . So Glad to hear you are healing and feeling better and all is well. So Crazy, I was hit by someone a month ago with my 2 kids plus the 3 I transport after school. It has been quite the ordeal considering it was her fault. We are just now getting money as they totaled the van, but no new car for us. All will work out, just tough when there is a time crunch and not much available in our price range. Those unforeseen things happen in life sometimes and we just have to keep moving forward. But what is most important is that no one was hurt!
Well I can’t wait to try this recipe, staring at it isn’t going to get it in my hands 🙂
Oh Brandi I just got around to reading your post and I’m so sorry to hear about your accident. How awful but I’m so glad you’re feeling better. I can’t wait to hear about this exciting new project. As for the hot chocolate, you already know I’m digging it. European hot chocolate is way too thick for me and I’m more inclined to go this route. xo
Thank you Nissrine. Revealing details in a few days!!! 🙂 🙂 I totally agree, I love chocolate as much as anybody, that’s no secret, but yeah, I don’t want to drink a chocolate bar…the French hot chocolate is just a bit too much.
ooooh, that action shot of the hot chocolate is heavenly! Our girls just finished hot chocolate, and now I want this one, lol!
Thank you so much, Dreena! Action shots are so tricky, but sometimes it’s super exciting when they do work out!
Brandi this is the BEST hot chocolate! It is so rich and decadent. I love it and will be making it a lot this winter! 😊
Yay! I’m so thrilled you loved it so much Debbie! Thank you so much for coming back and letting me know!
This sounds like such a wonderfully rich hot chocolate, just how I like it! Beautiful presentation, too.
Aww, thank you Alisa!
It’s -37 C with the windchill here today. It’s pretty easy to feel down after days and days of this freezing weather but this hot chocolate is just the kind of cheering (and warming) up we needed. So rich and creamy! I have some really dark cocoa powder so I only used 1 Tbsp of it and it is just right. Thanks for another stellar recipe!
So wonderful to hear that Genevieve! So glad this hit the spot. Thank you very much for taking the time to leave feedback!
You just cannot beat a steaming mug of hot chocolate! Yours sounds so delicious and rich and I love the espresso addition. It’s just perfect for bringing out the chocolate flavour even more!
Thank you so much, Mel!! Espresso makes everything better!
My 15 yr old said its the BEST hot chocolate he’s ever had. I let him read the recipe when I picked him up from school and he bugged me all night to make it. Definitely worth the wait.
Woohoo! Love hearing that, especially from a teenage boy, haha! Thank you so much for the feedback Estee!
I made this hot chocolate this afternoon and it was so yummy! Thanks for the recipe!!!
So glad you loved it Giulia, thank you so much for taking the time to come and leave feedback here!
Wow! This hot chocolate looks so delicious. I really need to try this soon. 🙂
Yet another great recipe! Loved it!
Glad you are ok as well!
Thank you so much Gina, I’m so happy you enjoyed it!
This was hot chocolate was the BOMB.COM!!! ❤❤❤
Haha, so glad you loved it! Thank you for making it!
Ok, I made this for me and my teenage boys last night and we were all in heaven! It was so delicious! I used full-fat coconut milk though because that is what I had. (A coconut taste is never a bad thing to me.) I made one batch and it made three small (sake cup size to be exact, lol) servings which was all we needed. It was so decadent. I had mine plain and the boys with a few mini vegan marshmallows. Honestly, it reminded me of the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had in my life which was in Lausanne, Switzerland. 🙂 I will be making it again. (What’s also great is that I always have these ingredients on hand.) Thank you for the delicious and simple recipe. Happy holidays!
So so wonderful to hear Nicole! Thank you so much for the amazing feedback!
This recipe is freaking delicious. You are right about adding the coffee. It really intensifies the chocolate and I love that the recipe is not too sweet.
Awesome Robin!! Yes!! Thank you for the feedback!
Thanks so much for posting Brandi! We will totally have to use this recipe and share it with our peeps! It still amazes us how many people don’t know that there are great vegan hot chocolate alternatives! Tis the season!
Wonderful! Let me know what y’all think of it!
This hot chocolate recipe is amazing, the best hot chocolate I have ever had. Thank you so much for creating it. It is so much healthier then chemical filled hot cocoa powders and yet so much better. You can’t go wrong here. I haven’t gotten my roommate to try it yet but I have no doubt that everyone will love this recipe, vegans, non-vegans, everyone. I don’t think one person would be able to tell it was non dairy. So delicious best ever. Your recipes are always such a sure hit.
Yay! I’m so glad this is the best you’ve ever had! Thank you so much for the amazing feedback Christina! You really made my day!!
We are transitioning to a vegan lifestyle and this hot chocolate was a hit with our kiddos, 10 and 5 yrs old. Thanks so much for posting this. I’m so excited about getting healthy and feeling well.
That makes me so happy to hear Shannon, thank you so much for the wonderful feedback!
Why did I take so long to try this?! It is delicious, so gosh darn good! And of course I made it when I was alone so I had both cups ahahaha!!! Great job!
Haha! Awesome! More for you!
Thank you so much for this recipe!! I have been vegan for over 1 year now and it’s been pretty easy besides really missing a cafe mocha from Starbucks. Not only because of the dairy but they just have too much sugar in them. This cocoa is incredible, it’s exactly like a cafe mocha or when poured over ice an iced cafe mocha. I’m so grateful to all of the incredible vegans out there that share their talents and recipes with all of us, you make living cruelty free so much easier!!!!
Awww, thank you so much Tina for such a lovely comment! So very happy to hear how much you loved this and wow, that sounds heavenly over ice. I need to try that!!
I’m excited to try this. I am also very VERY picky when it comes to hot chocolate and I am the same way. So many vegan ones I’ve tried are watery, not chocolatey enough, etc. Can’t wait to give this one a go! 😀
I totally know what you mean, cannot stand those watery versions, but I promise you this one is thick, creamy and amazing!
This hot chocolate is so delicious! And full of fairly healthy ingredients, not crap! Lol
Haha, thank you so much Stephanie! I’m so glad you love it and yes, crap-free, lol!
My husband and I made this the other night and both agreed it’s the best hot chocolate we have ever had! Thank you!
Yay! Thank you so much for the lovely review and so glad you agree!
You weren’t kidding, this hot chocolate is perfect. I’m VERY picky with my hot chocolate too and yeah this is awesome. Thanks for such a great recipe.
I’m so glad to hear you feel the same as I do, haha! Thank you so much Shanna for the lovely review!
This is hands down the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had, and I’m a bit of a hot chocolate snob, lol. A google search led me to your blog, and now I’ll be back to check out your other recipes! I didn’t have any light coconut milk on hand so used Silk almond original. I think the coffee, salt and vanilla are what took it to a whole new level… brilliant!!! This will be a regular treat this winter. Thank you for sharing!
Woohoo! Love hearing that Karma! I’m a total hot chocolate snob too, which is why I said in the post I’m so picky about them. Don’t give me bland watery “hot chocolate”! Thank you so much for the lovely review and star rating, you are so very kind!
Brandi, I chose your Hot Chocolate recipe for Christmas morning. I couldn’t find appropriate chocolate chips but based on your comment about only using them for the cocoa butter, I added extra cocoa and a big chuck of cacao butter (not sure if product endorsements are appropriate here, if not just delete: Bulletproof brand) . I used alcohol free liquid stevia for sweetener. Thank you for your recommendation of Thai Kitchen lite coconut milk, it made shopping mistake free. So drum, roll….this was perfect, awesome and delicious. It truly is Hot Chocolate, not just hot cocoa.! Thank you so much!
Thank you so much Pat for the lovely review! So glad you loved it so much! And yes, the cocoa butter in the chocolate chips is what makes this so rich, so glad you were able to use those!
I hardly ever post comments on anything, but I had to here because this hot chocolate is the best I have ever tasted!! I can’t believe it’s vegan and has no refined sugars because it’s so good! Thank you.
Oh, thank you so much Brooke! So very happy it is the best you’ve ever had! It is for me as well, thank you for making it!
I made this using 12oz almond milk and 3 tbsp of maple syrup. Otherwise followed the recipe. It is DIVINE! Rich, chocolatey! Thank you so much!
Yay! Love hearing that Rosemary, thank you so much for the review!
Gorgeous! So rich and chocolatey. I’m in love 💘
I’ve just linked to it in my blog.
Thank you so much!!
Lady you NAILED IT! As a lover of hot chocolate – i am very particular. As I made the switch to vegan the one element that eluded me was the hot chocolate. The Almond milk was just not working for me. Winter is coming (Game of thrones reference for you) and I need my warm bevvie and you have come to my rescue. Basically my life is now complete so thank you!!
PS Drinking it right now and LOVING IT!
Yay, so very thrilled to hear that Terri! This is exactly how I felt too when I created it, it is just what I missed and the best part is it is just as good as the dairy kind!
Delicious chocolatey warmth in a mug. I have missed cocoa since going wfpb. Thank you for creating this yumminess, Brandi. This is the first recipe of yours I have tried. Now, I HAVE to buy your cookbook! 🙂
That’s so awesome to hear Michelle! So happy you loved it! Thank you for the review and book purchase!
Amazing recipe! Sorry to hear people are stealing it as their own. Just wanted to share our revisions since we didn’t have a creamy coconut milk. We ended up loving it, but I am looking forward to your recipe that you’ve worked so hard to perfect! Let me know if you try it! It may be on the sweeter side, but I wanted to ensure it was creamy enough 🙂 and it seemed to do the trick. Best hot chocolate I ever tasted! I’m sure yours will be even better!
12.5 oz unsweetened almond milk
2 tablespoons of cacao
4 heaping tablespoons of vegan semi-Sweet choc chips (to thicken it)
3 tablespoons of maple syrup, since we used a more bitter cacao
Same salt and vanilla amount
Sounds amazing Nichole! I’m so glad y’all loved it!!
This isn’t just the best vegan hot chocolate, it’s the best hot chocolate, ever. Oh my gosh, it is so creamy and rich and delicious. It was a perfect snack after shopping and gift wrapping. As always, Brandi, you are the best chef!
In the mood for hot chocolate and this only happens once or twice a year. I crave either white hot chocolate or dark hot chocolate and this time it’s the later.
It’s almost impossible to find lite coconut milk where I live though. Would diluting full-fat milk with a bit of water do the trick do you think? Or maybe trying to whip up a home made milk with a specific water/coconut ratio?
Hi Estelle! Yes, use half of the full fat milk (shake the can well first) and the other half water. That should work!
Reporting back 🙂
I made my chocolate before seeing your comment (too impatient ^^) and ended up doing 1/3 water and 2/3 coconut milk. My milk was 7.8g fat for 100ml according to the nutritional information.
The hot chocolate is super rich and creamy with no coconut taste. It’s super chocolaty because I used bitter-sweet dark chocolate. Delicious.
It could be a bit lighter though. I did half the recipe and it’s going to be too rich to finish all in one go so I’ll follow your recommendation of 1/2 water, 1/2 coconut milk next time. It should do the trick.
It’s definitely a keeper and I know I can make it kid-friendly by using a sweeter chocolate.
Next, I’m going to experiment and see if I can adapt a white chocolate vanilla version using cocoa butter and vanilla powder.
Thank you very much for another great recipe!
So glad you enjoyed it! Yes, it would be too rich because of too much of the coconut milk, it makes it so much thicker, so just use more water next time to even it out 🙂
AMAZING! The best vegan and refined sugar free hot chocolate I’ve ever tasted!
Wonderful to hear, thank you Phoebe!
We absolutely LOVE this hot chocolate! So rich! So creamy! I haven’t had a decent cup of vegan hot chocolate in years… until now! Thanks Brandi!
That is so wonderful to hear Cathrine, thank you so much for your awesome feedback!