3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Mix
This post may contain affiliate or sponsored links. Please read our disclosure policy.
Did you know you can make homemade hot chocolate with only THREE ingredients? Skip the generic brand (made with highly processed, sugary ingredients) and make your own hot chocolate at home! You can even make this in bulk and use our tag to give it as a gift.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
- Only 3 Ingredients – You likely have them in your pantry!
- It comes with a free gift tag – Download, print, and attach it to a jar of the mix for the perfect gift!
- Save money – No need to buy expensive packets or mixes from the store.
- It’s healthier – Whenever possible, we try to make things from scratch. You’d be surprised at how easy it is to make your own things like pizza sauce, croutons, BBQ sauce, and even breadcrumbs.
- You can customize it. See ideas below.
Make Hot Chocolate a Gift
Make your hot chocolate extra special by gifting it to friends and family!
Simply portion out the ingredients, add them to a cute jar, and finish it off with our free printable tag.
This tag includes instructions, so all they’ll need to do is add warm milk and enjoy a cozy, homemade treat. It’s a perfect gift or even Stocking Stuffer Idea.
Hot Chocolate Gift Tags
Ingredients
You likely have the ingredients to make hot chocolate mix RIGHT now. All you need is:
Instructions
To make a batch of mix for 10 servings: Put 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of cocoa powder into a 16-ounce mason jar (standard size) and give it a good shake.
To make a single serving: You’ll use 3 tablespoons of this powder per 1 cup of hot milk.
Variations
While this recipe is super simple, there are many ways you can customize your hot chocolate. Here are some ideas:
- Spice It Up: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or a dash of cayenne pepper for a cozy warmth or mild heat. Try a bit of cardamom for a unique twist!
- Flavor Boosts: Stir in a drop or two of extracts like vanilla, peppermint, or almond. Peppermint especially gives it a holiday feel!
- Chocolate Depth: Mix in a small piece of dark chocolate, a sprinkle of espresso powder, or a spoonful of chocolate syrup for an extra chocolatey depth.
- Make It Creamy: Top it with our Homemade Whipped Cream (so fast and easy) or add a spoonful of heavy cream or half-and-half to make it even richer.
Recipe FAQs
I learned from a Taste of Home article (which referenced a taste test that America’s Test Kitchen did with expired cocoa) and a Simply Recipes article about sugar, both cocoa powder and sugar have an indefinite shelf life when it comes to safety. Be sure to store the hot chocolate mix in a dry, cool place in a container with an airtight lid. As long as it’s not moldy and it doesn’t have an unpleasant odor, there’s no reason to toss the hot chocolate mix…even years later!
Absolutely! Use the amount of sugar that tastes best to you.
No, you don’t. But, we like Ghirardelli because it’s one of the best-powdered cocoas you can get. It rivals specialty high-end products but is much cheaper. Its flavor is deep, rich, and velvety.
Tasty Tip!
The Best Ever Homemade Popcorn is our favorite snack to enjoy with this hot chocolate. Have you tried it yet?
Other Recipes That Make Great Gifts
Did you make this? Snap a photo and tag us on Instagram at @thrivinghome so we can see your creations and cheer you on!
3-Ingredient Hot Chocolate Mix
Avoid all the junk in store-bought hot chocolate mix by using just 3 simple ingredients to make your own. This recipe makes the best homemade hot chocolate ever!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk (sub: your favorite milk)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons 100% unsweetened cocoa powder (We recommend Ghirardelli brand.)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- Optional for serving: mini marshmallows or Homemade Whipped Cream
Before You Begin! If you make this, please leave a review and rating letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business thrive & continue providing free recipes.
Instructions
Microwave Method: Add the milk to a microwave safe mug. Heat in 30 second increments until very hot. Use a fork to whisk in the cocoa powder and sugar until fully combined.
Stovetop Method: Pour all three ingredients into a small saucepan and heat over medium to medium-low heat. Whisk constantly until the ingredients are fully combined and the milk is hot.
Serve warm and top with marshmallows or Homemade Whipped Cream, if desired.
Notes/Tips
- To make a batch of mix for 10 servings: Put 1 cup of sugar and 1 cup of cocoa powder into a 16 ounce mason jar (standard size) and give it a good shake. You’ll use 3 tablespoons of this powder per 1 cup of hot milk.
- Free Gift Tags: Want to turn this into a gift? Print our free gift tags here with directions for how to package it and how the recipient should use it.
- You can pull back on the sugar if you want.
- I learned from a Taste of Home article (which referenced a taste test that America’s Test Kitchen did with expired cocoa) and a Simply Recipes article about sugar, both cocoa powder and sugar have an indefinite shelf life when it comes to safety. Be sure to store the hot chocolate mix in a dry, cool place in a container with an airtight lid. As long as it’s not moldy and it doesn’t have an unpleasant odor, there’s no reason to toss the hot chocolate mix…even years later!
I use Ghiradeli sweet ground cocoa and just eliminate the sugar – yum!
Thanks for the tip!
It was so good!
Thanks Zinnia!
I am 7 months pregnant. It’s 90 degrees out still at 8pm but I’m craving hot cocoa. Just found out I have gestational diabetes so a ton of sugar is a no go…this was perfect! I had Dutch process ghiradelli in the cabinet and 2% milk. SO good. Saving this and will not buy premade cocoa again.
Thanks for taking the time to share this and leave a review, Taylor!
Can I use heavy whipping cream instead of milk-
Oh that would be divine!
Can I just mix the cocoa powder and sugar together in the mug and then add hot milk ?
That’s a great idea!!
Can I use the white chocolate powder from Ghirardelli in place of the cocoa?
We haven’t tried that, but it sounds yummy!
I will definitely try this simple recipe for hot cocoa mix! I have made homemade hot chocolate mix years ago and it was good, but still contained a lot more ingredients. I always questioned how healthy it was, so this is a great alternative (and I’ve already memorized the recipe….bonus!)! Thanks for continuing to share your great ideas and love of cooking.
Hi K Ann! Nice to hear from you and I hope you enjoy this simple mix. My kids make it a lot over the winter! Such a fun and easy treat.
Ghiradelli is the only chocolate i use for baking, etc. i love
the taste better than lindt & any other chocolate.
i like to add this to coffee. makes coffee. taste much better.
i can’t offer a measurement, depends your individual taste.
Yum, such a good idea to stir it into coffee. I’m totally trying that!
We’ve made this many times this winter!! Kids always love it! I do 1tbsp cocoa and 1 tbsp of sugar to 1 cup of milk and they still think it’s delicious!
Can you add dried milk to the sugar cocoa mixture and then just add hot water?
so you use 3 TBSP of the mix per 8 oz of milk? seems like a lot of mix…am i misunderstanding?
Yes, 1.5 tablespoons cocoa and 1.5 tablespoons sugar per 8 ounces of milk. It’s the same for store-bought. I’ve made this recipe many, many times. You can try using less (1 T and 1 T), but it just won’t taste like the store-bought stuff. 🙂
Our kids love this recipe! Thanks for sharing!
So easy, isn’t it?!
I love hot chocolate! I’ll be having some when it gets out of the 80’s here. It does get down to 50’s at night which is great! Thanks for sharing!
Looks tasty & so simple! I can never find cocoa powder at the market though, just cocoa mix, which is very similar. I’ll be sure to make this one soon. We’ve had a cold snap lately so it’s perfect hot choc weather.
Made this last night for small group while we made gingerbread houses. So good and seasonal!
Oh yeah! Glad you enjoyed it!
Mmmm. This is just want I needed to find today as I do think I have all these things in the pantry. This will go great with our cookies and Christmas movie tonight! Thank you.
Would love for you to share this with my Season’s Best {Winter Bucket List} Monthly Link-Up. Homemade hot cocoa…what a great item for anyone’s list!
http://www.fullhands-fullhearts.com/2012/12/winter-bucket-list-ideas-and-link-up.html
Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy your blog and ideas!
Merry Christmas,
Holli