Date-sweetened vegan hot chocolate (PlantYou)
Hot chocolate doesn’t need dairy to be creamy and delicious. Vegan hot chocolate can taste just as rich and comforting. Whether you’re avoiding animal products, have allergies, or just want to try something new, there are loads of ways to stir up a satisfying cup. Here’s how you can enjoy hot chocolate without compromise.
Avoid caffeine for pregnancy/nursing. Marshmallows are choking hazards for children. Keep chocolate, nuts and spices (esp. nutmeg) away from pets. Read more on food safety for people and pets.
Pick the Right Vegan Milk
Start with a creamy base. Oat works well for vegan hot chocolate. It gives the smoothest finish and creamy texture. Warm the milk slowly so it doesn’t scorch. Pick one you like to drink on its own, as the flavour comes through in every sip.
Use Fair Trade Vegan Chocolate
Choose quality vegan chocolate or cocoa powder that’s labelled Fair Trade. This supports better working conditions and fair prices for cocoa farmers. Many dark chocolates are dairy-free, so check the labels.
If you use cocoa powder, make sure it’s unsweetened. For a rich flavour, mix the powder or melted chocolate directly with warm milk, whisking until smooth.
Homemade Vegan Hot Chocolate
Almond Butter Hot Chocolate (The First Mess)
Making vegan hot chocolate at home is quick and easy. Heat your plant milk on the stove, whisk in vegan chocolate or cocoa powder, then add sweetener. Top with extras like marshmallows or coconut cream.
Experiment with flavours such as peppermint extract or a sprinkle of sea salt. Homemade hot chocolate always tastes fresher and lets you control the ingredients.
Sweeten Naturally
Most store-bought hot chocolates have lots of processed sugar. You can keep it vegan and tasty by sweetening your drink naturally. Maple syrup, agave nectar, or coconut sugar blend in well. Start with a spoonful, then add more to taste. These sweeteners enhance the chocolate, rather than masking it.
Spice it Up with Mexican Hot Chocolate
For a twist, try Mexican-style vegan hot chocolate. Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, and chilli powder while whisking your drink. This combination adds warmth and a touch of fire. A splash of vanilla makes the spice pop. Serve with a cinnamon stick for stirring, turning every mug into a treat.
Try Coconut Whipped Cream
Instead of dairy cream, top your vegan hot chocolate with coconut whipped cream. You can buy it ready-made or whip up your own, by chilling a can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight, draining off the liquid (use in smoothies) and blending the solid part with a little sugar.
Spoon it on thick, then watch it melt into your drink. The coconut flavour pairs well with chocolate, making it rich and satisfying.
Add Vegan Marshmallows
Top your mug with vegan marshmallows to make it feel special. They melt softly and add fun to every cup. Whether you choose large ones or mini marshmallows, make sure they’re labelled vegan. Most classic marshmallows contain gelatine, which isn’t plant-based, so always check the packet.
Dandies is a good organic brand (you can recycle packaging at supermarket bag bins, if your kerbside does not collect).
Harth Hot Chocolate Mixes
Harth is a brand that makes various hot chocolate mixes, sold in paper packaging. Made in Somerset, the range includes:
- Original
- Rose & Cardamom
- Winter Spices
- Cinnamon
- Ginger
- Smoky Chilli
This brand also makes two vegan chocolate milkshake mixes: original and vanilla. Sweetened with coconut sugar.
mindfully-made hot chocolate Mix
Calm Cocoa is a small Welsh artisan, creating high quality vegan hot chocolate mixes, sold in recycled glass jars or compostable packaging. Most hot chocolate mixes are just sugar with a bit of cocoa.
These take a bit longer to make, but you can enjoy the process (the founder is a mindfulness teacher!) and taste way beyond most brands in stores.
How to Prepare Calm Cocoa Hot Chocolate
Sprinkle around 3 heaped dessert spoons of Calm Cocoa into a small milk saucepan, then add a little boiled water and wait 30 seconds, for the chocolate to melt, then stir into a paste. Then measure out your oat milk (120ml for a double espresso size shot, 150ml for a small mug or 180 to 200ml for a medium mug.
Pour the oat milk into the chocolate paste on the medium-heat hob, stir and gently heat to a gentle simmer, whisking now and then. Once it’s thickened after a few minutes, remove from the heat. Then pour into your favourite mug.
To make directly in a mug, just add a splash of boiled water to Calm Cocoa in the mug, leave for 10 seconds to melt, then pour over your warmed oat milk, leaving a couple of minutes to thicken.
Choose from the following flavours:
- Original Mix – nutty roasted aroma, with hint of jammy berries
- Salted Madagascar – dark chocolate with smoked sea salt
- Gingery Jamaica – Christmassy gingerbread flavour
- Spicy Dark Ecuador – dark chocolate, coconut sugar and fruity chilli powder
- Vegan Mylk Chai – Indian-inspired with Madagascan cashews
- Mindful Mocha – a blend of chocolate and coffee
