Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate

Heaven in a cup! Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate is Paleo, vegan, and made with only a few simple ingredients. The perfect drink for a cold winter night!

I've been on a cocktail kick lately. This is the third drink recipe I shared in the last few months, and I'm not mad about it! I love sipping warm drinks when it's cold outside or when Huck turns down the air, and it's freezing in our house!

What is Hot Chocolate

Hot chocolate, hot cocoa, chocolate milk? What is the difference? Does chocolate milk come from brown cows? (<- Apparently, some people think that!)

Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, sugar, and milk. I always think of the little packs of cocoa mix with the marshmallows.

Hot chocolate, on the other hand, is actually made with melted chocolate. Using real chocolate gives the drink a slightly thicker and richer flavor.

How to Make Paleo Hot Chocolate

This drink is simple and comes together in minutes. You'll just need the following ingredients:

• Milk - Any milk will work for this recipe. For dairy-free or Paleo versions, choose nut or coconut milk. Almond and cashew are my favorite.
• Chocolate - The most important part of hot chocolate, of course. I used a mix of chocolates in this recipe, but you can stick with just one if you like. For Paleo and vegan chocolate, I like using Hu Chocolate Bars. The ingredients are clean, and they melt well in the milk. I also included Cocoa Powder for a different layer of flavor.
• Sugar - Honey is my favorite choice, but maple syrup or coconut sugar is a great option for a vegan hot chocolate. The chocolate already has some sugar in it, so this step is optional, especially if you do not want your drink super sweet. I'm a fan of dark chocolate and usually go really light on the extra sugar.
• Spices - Cinnamon, vanilla, nutmeg, and clove all pair well with the chocolate.
• Coconut Cream - This makes a great dairy-free whipped topping.

To start the hot chocolate, heat the milk over medium-low heat in a saucepan. While the milk heats, chop the chocolate bar into small pieces and gather the other ingredients. Once the milk starts to bubble around the edges of the pan, whisk in the chocolate. Continue whisking until the chocolate is completely melted - about 1 minute.

Remove from the stove and add the sugar, spices, or vanilla and continue whisking to dissolve fully. Pour the mixture into your favorite mug and serve with a scoop of coconut cream, extra cinnamon, or shaved chocolate over the top if desired.

Other Milks to Use

Not a fan of almond milk? This recipe works great with cashew, coconut, or oat milk! Cashew is a great choice as it adds a great richness to the drink!

Not dairy-free? The almond milk and coconut cream can be substituted with equal parts of whole milk topped with a dollop of whipped cream.

Make-Ahead and Storage

This recipe can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator until you're ready to serve. Once ready, heat on the stove until warm. You can also make this ahead in a crockpot for a larger group.

Store leftovers in the refrigerator for 1-2 days.

Other Recipes to Try

If you like this drink recipe, check out our recipe for Mulled Wine {Gluhwein} or the Cinnamon Old Fashioned.

Like this recipe? Don't forget to Pin it! Also, check out our Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube Channel for cooking demos and more. Plus you can also see what I am pinning on Pinterest for more Whole30 and Paleo recipe ideas!

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