Hot Cocoa is a creamy and chocolaty drink made by boiling a blend of cocoa powder, sugar and milk. Homemade Hot Cocoa is easy and quick to make, tastes so delicious. Learn to make Hot Cocoa with step by step pictures and video.
Hot Chocolate and Hot Cocoa are my favorite, my hot chocolate post talks volumes of my addiction towards it. A cup of hot cocoa is perfect for this chill weather. Hot Cocoa is a bliss during rain and a nice alternate to tea and coffee. Hot Cocoa is kids favorite and could be made in just few minutes and enjoyed.
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What is Hot Cocoa?
Hot Cocoa is made using cocoa powder, milk, sugar and vanilla essence. Hot Cocoa is a mild version of hot chocolate. The main difference is that hot chocolate is rich with the addition of chocolate in the drink whereas hot cocoa is mild with just cocoa powder as the main ingredient.
For hot chocolate we add chocolate which makes it more rich, thick and creamy but hot cocoa is just with coco powder as main ingredient so using good quality cocoa powder is mandatory.
Mittu loves both hot chocolate and hot cocoa so I make it often. I always make a batch of homemade hot chocolate mix which becomes very handy. I even made a batch and carried during our recent trip to Hong Kong, and we enjoyed it so much.
Whenever I need a quick fix and looking for a mild hot drink then hot cocoa is my go to drink as it is easy and quick to make with just few ingredients in hand. Both mittu and gugu are fond of this drink so I make it at least twice a month.
Hot Cocoa Ingredients
- Milk – Use full cream milk for best results. You can use farm fresh milk or packaged milk.
- Cocoa powder – Use good quality unsweetened cocoa powder which has an intense chocolate flavor.
- Sugar – I used white granulated sugar. Adjust sugar quantity according to your liking. You can alternatively use brown sugar or cane sugar too.
- Salt – Adding a tiny pinch of salt lifts up the sweetness.
- Vanilla essence – Vanilla essence is added for flavor.
Similar Recipes
Hot Cocoa topping ideas
- Whipped cream
- Chocolate shavings / Chocolate chips
- Marshmallows
- Cocoa powder
How to make Hot Cocoa Step by Step
1.To a sauce pan add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder along 1 and 1/2 tablespoon sugar, a tiny pinch of salt.
2.Whisk it well first.
3.Add 1/4 cup milk first.
4.Whisk well to a smooth mixture.
5.Now switch on the flame and boil in low flame. Once it starts to boil add 1 cup milk.
6.Whisk it well without any lumps.
7.Let it come to a boil then simmer for 3-5 minutes.
8.Simmer until thick. Simmer for 5 minutes if you want a slightly thick hot cocoa. Switch off and remove from flame.
9.Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence.
10.Mix it well and your hot cocoa is ready!
11.Pour into serving glass.
12.Serve hot topped with marshmallows.
Enjoy hot!
Expert Tips
- Don’t cook in high flame. Always simmer and cook.
- Reduce cocoa powder as per the variety , else it may taste bitter.
- The color depends on the variety of cocoa powder.
- Good quality cocoa powder is one of the important factors to get perfect hot cocoa.
- Hot Cocoa should be made and served immediately. Reheating will change the taste and flavor of the drink.
- Adjust sweetness according to your taste and preference.
- You can even mix everything and microwave it for a minute.
- If you like cinnamon flavor then add a pinch of it.
Serving & Storage
Hot Cocoa should be served hot. I would not recommend reheating as it changes the taste and flavor of this drink so make and consume it fresh. However you can make hot chocolate mix and store it for future use.
FAQS
1.What is the main difference between hot chocolate and hot cocoa?
The main difference is hot chocolate is rich, thick and more of chocolate flavor while hot cocoa is a mild version of hot chocolate. Hot cocoa uses just cocoa powder as the main ingredient for the chocolaty flavor.
2.Can I use cornflour to thicken hot cocoa?
Yes you can use around 1/2 teaspoon cornflour, do not add more as it might change the taste.
If you have any more questions about this Hot Cocoa Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, Youtube and Twitter .
Tried this Hot Cocoa Recipe? Do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.
📖 Recipe Card
Hot Cocoa Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
- 1 and 1/2 tablespoon sugar
- a tiny pinch salt
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence
Instructions
- To a sauce pan add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder along 1 and 1/2 tablespoon sugar, a tiny pinch of salt.
- Whisk it well first.
- Add 1/4 cup milk first.
- Whisk well to a smooth mixture.
- Now switch on the flame and boil in low flame. Once it starts to boil add 1 cup milk.
- Whisk it well without any lumps.
- Let it come to a boil then simmer for 3-5 minutes.
- Simmer until thick. Simmer for 5 minutes if you want a slightly thick hot cocoa. Switch off and remove from flame.
- Add 1/4 teaspoon vanilla essence.
- Mix it well and your hot cocoa is ready!
- Pour into serving glass.
- Serve hot topped with marshmallows.
- Enjoy hot!
rose
wow tempting me a lot .surely will try .thanks for sharing .how z little kid ?
Chitra C
Nice recipe. Ur strainer is good. Is it glass. How is lil one and mittu…
SHARMILEE J
Thank you! No No its plastic only.Both of them are fine 🙂
Sita Lavanya
I really didn't know this recipe is so easy.I tried once adding coco powder to hotmilk and sugar .it was a disaster.
Your recipe looks so good.must try recipe
Meena Srinivasan
Timely recipe for this climate. Very quick and tasty. I too like Hersheys for the colour and flavor… its really special, when we nake homemade chocolates. Your photographs says the yummy… tasty…feelings..that topping is really cute, try some letter or shape next time( M & G )
Uma Venkat
Yesterday made dis for my daughter she loved it and asked to make it daily…thank u
Ritu
Hi,
Can we make this recipe and allow it to chill in the fridge ? I am planning to make the cold version of it but not sure about the outcome and the taste difference.
Sharmilee J
Yes you can chill it and drink too.