Our Search for the Best Vegan Hot Cocoa

‘Tis the season to be jolly. Falalalala Lalalala.

It’ here!!! The culturally appropriate time for me to share my love of the holiday season! I generalize and typically lump it all into Christmas because that’s what I’ve always celebrated, but this magical time of the year is filled with goodness, and love, and is generally the best season of the year. For me the season starts the first of November and then can last all the way through May…it’s that magical.

Anywho, welcome to the first official sustainicle: the actual real-life sustainable chronicles of a busy millennial. 

In honor of the first official week of the Christmas season, the Boyfriend and I have started a 12 Days of Cocoa to find the best vegan hot chocolate to add to our holiday season. We’re two days in and loving the simple ingredients and the rich chocolate flavor that we are ending our nights with. It doesn’t hurt that we’re drinking our cocoa while slowly decorating our Christmas tree. 

There’s something undeniably comforting about a warm cup of hot cocoa on a chilly evening in front of the Christmas tree. But for those of us who follow a {mostly} vegan lifestyle, finding the perfect vegan hot cocoa can be a bit of a challenge. The quest for that rich, creamy, and satisfying experience led us to explore the world of vegan chocolate and hot cocoa mixes.

Does Vegan Chocolate Exist?

Absolutely! Vegan chocolate is a delightful reality. Traditional chocolate is made with milk and milk fat, but many chocolate manufacturers now produce dairy-free versions, often using plant-based milk alternatives like almond, soy, or oat milk. When looking for vegan chocolate, make sure to check the ingredients list for any traces of dairy products. Rest assured, there’s a wide variety of vegan chocolate bars, chips, and cocoa powder available in stores.

I like desserts as much as the next girl, but I actually don’t like a lot of sugar (or salt) added to my food. I’ll often make faces and tell the Boyfriend that something is too sweet and he will look at me like I’m crazy. So it’s perfect that dark chocolate is vegan (almost always) since it’s made without milk or milk fat. 

But it needs to be a high quality dark chocolate, with a high percentage of cocoa and limited additional ingredients for the flavor of the chocolate to shine in your cocoa. Be sure to check the label though for those shitty companies that add milk and try to ruin their dark chocolate. 

How to Make Vegan Hot Cocoa

Creating the perfect dairy-free hot chocolate involves a balance of quality ingredients and the right technique. Here’s what you need to make your delicious and rich hot chocolate:

Dark Chocolate

Start with a high-quality vegan dark chocolate bar, at least 70% cacao if you’re like me. Dark chocolate is naturally dairy-free and lends a deep, luxurious flavor to your hot cocoa. If you have a store that stocks dark chocolate blocks, that’s my favorite way to buy it: less packaging and better flavor (or maybe that part is all in my head). 

But packaged chocolate morsels like Enjoy Life chocolate chips (their dark chocolate is 69% cacao) are fantastic to utilize as well. I just find that chocolate chips don’t incorporate into the melted chocolate as fast as chunk chocolate, and I try to avoid adding even the littlest bit of worry to my life. 

Non-Dairy Milk

To make a creamy vegan hot chocolate, we opted for a plant-based milk. We used oat milk because it’s what I make at home super easily and cheaply, but you can use another dairy free milk instead like soy milk, cashew milk, or even coconut milk (but I, personally, would leave the coconut to the whipped cream). 

 When choosing a non-dairy milk, opt for unsweetened varieties or consider making it at home to control the sweetness level of your creamy hot cocoa. This combination of dark chocolate and non-dairy milk creates a luscious base for your vegan hot cocoa, making it an irresistible treat for your taste buds.

Whipped Cream or Vegan Marshmallows

The joy of indulging in hot cocoa is often elevated by the delightful toppings that make your hot cocoa look delightfully sinful. For a truly decadent experience, top your vegan hot cocoa with a dollop of vegan whipped cream or a handful of vegan marshmallows. Many stores now offer dairy-free whipped cream made from coconut milk or almond milk, providing a light and fluffy texture that melts seamlessly into your hot cocoa. Or you can make you own whipped cream with canned coconut milk, full-fat variety. We did this a couple years ago for a pumpkin cheesecake and it was fucking awesome. 

Alternatively, vegan marshmallows made from plant-based ingredients are becoming increasingly popular, offering the same soft and gooey goodness without the use of animal-derived gelatin. These toppings not only enhance the visual appeal of your hot cocoa but also add a satisfying contrast in texture, making each sip a heavenly delight. 

Don’t hesitate to get creative with your dark chocolate, non-dairy milk, and toppings (maybe some semisweet chocolate shavings over that whipped cream?), and discover the perfect combination that makes your vegan hot cocoa truly exceptional.

Vegan Hot Cocoa Mix

 If you prefer the convenience of a mix, there are excellent vegan hot cocoa mixes on the market. Look for options made with non-dairy ingredients like coconut milk powder or almond milk powder. These mixes often contain sugar and cocoa powder, making it easy to whip up a quick cup of hot cocoa by adding hot water or your favorite plant-based milk.

One easily found powdered hot cocoa brand is Good & Gather. They have a bunch of vegan friendly mixes like Sea Salt Caramel, Double Chocolate, or Peppermint Mocha for a delicious peppermint hot chocolate. I’ve never tried any of them, but they have been recommended by friends…we went straight for the do it yourself route.

Another method we’ve been playing around with is mixing cocoa powder with powdered sugar. We add our steamed oat milk and stir like crazy. It’s made with simple ingredients and truly satisfies any chocolate craving that might pop up. 

Best Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

Well, that’s what we are searching for, I don’t know if we’ve found it quite yet. For those who enjoy the process of making homemade hot chocolate, as a tradition or just to spend time with loved ones (while decorating, perhaps), here’s the simple process we’ve learned so far:

Simple Vegan Hot Cocoa

Here's the simple process we've learned so far that we intend to expand with our 12 Days of Cocoa

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Ingredients

  

• 2 cups homemade oat milk or your preferred plant-based milk
• 1/4 cup vegan dark chocolate chopped
• 1 teaspoon brown sugar optional
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract optional
• Vegan whipped cream or marshmallows for topping optional

Instructions

 

• In a saucepan, heat the oat milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling–this takes forever. If you think you might want more cocoa later, make sure you make enough now.
• Add the chopped dark chocolate to the hot milk and whisk until completely melted and well combined.
• Add the brown sugar and/or vanilla extract, if using, adjusting the sweetness to your taste.
• Keep whisking to prevent the milk from burning, but simmer for 2-3 minutes. We like our vegan cocoa to be a thick and creamy.
• Remove from heat and pour the hot cocoa into mugs.
• Top with vegan whipped cream or marshmallows, if desired. Adding a little cinnamon on top the whipped cream will change your life (TRUST ME!)
• Enjoy your rich and creamy homemade vegan hot cocoa!

Notes

The whipped cream pictured is NOT vegan. It’s just the normal spray whipped cream from the can that the Boyfriend picked up when we started our 12 Days of Christmas. It does make for waaaaay prettier pictures than than homemade coconut milk whipped cream, but I wanted to be fully transparent. 

Plus, the dogs looove this stuff. I’m sure somewhere along our 12 Days of Cocoa, will make our own whipped cream…we’re just basic with shit like that. 

Making Vegan Hot Chocolate Mix

If you love the idea of having hot cocoa on hand whenever the craving strikes, consider making your own vegan hot chocolate mix. Here’s a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cocoa powder
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and salt until well combined.
2. Store the hot chocolate mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place.
3. To make a cup of hot cocoa, mix 3-4 tablespoons of the mix with some delightfully steamed oat milk (or your favorite plant-based milk), stirring until smooth and creamy.

Is Vegan Cocoa on your Holiday Wish List this Year?

Indulging in a delicious cup of hot cocoa doesn’t mean compromising your vegan principles. With the availability of dark chocolate, vegan chocolate, and hot cocoa mixes, you can enjoy a cozy, satisfying mug of vegan hot cocoa anytime. Whether you choose to melt dark chocolate for a luxurious experience or whip up a batch of your own hot chocolate mix, the options are endless. So, grab your favorite mug, gather your ingredients, and treat yourself to a delightful and dairy-free indulgence.

I’ll report back on our favorite methods and best hot cocoa recipe after our 12 Days of Cocoa are finished. Until then, happy sipping!