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    Home » Drinks

    Delicious Hot Chocolate With Water (No Milk)

    September 19, 2022 by cookingwithelo 6 Comments This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video

    This hot chocolate with water is much richer and creamier than powder hot chocolates. Plus it's naturally vegan and dairy-free! The secret is using equal parts of semi-sweet and dark chocolate. I promise you'll never want to drink hot chocolate any other way.

    Glass cup filled with hot chocolate on a white marble background.

    If you like to sip on a cup of hot chocolate on a cold night, this easy recipe is for you. It's ready in less than 10 minutes and doesn't require milk or a hot chocolate mix. The consistency is similar to that of a French hot chocolate, which is thinner than its Italian counterpart.

    Hot chocolate with water is much lighter on the stomach than one made with whole milk or coconut milk. Although you could expect a watery consistency, it's not the case at all. The cocoa butter in the chocolate makes it really rich and silky.

    If you're looking for more warming winter drinks, try this non-alcoholic mulled wine or this lavender syrup coffee. Serve it with oat flour chocolate chip cookies or some vegan chocolate truffles.

    Jump to:
    • Key ingredients and substitutions
    • Elo's tips
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Watch the video!
    • Serving suggestions
    • Frequently asked questions
    • The recipe

    Key ingredients and substitutions

    Ingredients for hot chocolate in small bowls with descriptive labels.
    • Water is the base of this hot cocoa recipe and the easiest milk substitute. You could however replace it with almond milk or soy milk if you prefer.
    • Dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips taste incredibly delicious in drinks. If you don't like dark chocolate, you can replace it with more semi-sweet chocolate.
    • Semi-sweet chocolate prevents this hot cocoa recipe from being too bitter. You can chop a few squares of your favorite chocolate bar or use your favorite semi-sweet chocolate chips.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder enhances the chocolate flavor and adds depth.
    • Granulated white sugar lightly sweetens the drink and perfectly balances the bitterness of the dark chocolate. Use maple syrup or brown sugar for a subtle toffee flavor.
    • Vanilla extract is totally optional but I personally love it.

    Elo's tips

    1. Heat the water until it's warm but not boiling to allow the chocolate to melt slowly. I usually add the dry ingredients and reduce the heat when the water starts steaming.
    2. If you find the hot chocolate too watery add another tablespoon of semi-sweet chocolate.
    3. Add some of your favorite spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or cayenne pepper. Pumpkin spice works great, too. Remember to stir regularly when drinking your hot chocolate as ground spices sink to the bottom of the mug.
    4. Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract.
    5. Pour your hot choc in a Mason jar and close it with a lid to take it on the go. I really like these stainless steel lids with a straw hole.
    6. Make your own hot chocolate mix by adding the dark and semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder ad sugar to a small airtight container, small zip bag or mini paper bag. Store it in a dark space at room temperature. When you want hot chocolate, simply toss the mix into a saucepan with water and add a splash of vanilla extract.

    Step-by-step instructions

    Melted chocolate and water mixture in a saucepan on a black induction cooktop.

    STEP 1: Heat the water in a small pan if you're making hot chocolate on the stovetop. When it's warm, keep the pan over medium heat and add in the dark and semi-sweet chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and a quarter teaspoon vanilla extract.

    Whisked hot chocolate mixture in a small saucepan.

    STEP 2: Whisk until the chocolate has melted and everything is well combined. Give it a taste and adjust the sweetness if necessary.

    To make hot chocolate in the microwave, heat water in a cup until it's warm. Add in all the ingredients and stir until everything is melted.

    Hand pouring hot chocolate into a glass mug from a white ceramic pitcher.

    STEP 3: Pour the hot chocolate into your favorite mug.

    Glass mug filled with hot chocolate in front on a white tile background.

    STEP 4: Drink it as is or garnish it with your favorite toppings (see suggestion below).

    Watch the video!

    Serving suggestions

    • Vegan whipped cream and chocolate shavings – I really like this vegan aquafaba whipped cream that's light and airy.
    • Mini marshmallows – they are everyone's favorite topping! Make sure they don't use animal gelatin if you're vegan.
    • Coffee – add a teaspoon of instant coffee or a shot of espresso to the mix.
    • Cinnamon – add a dash of ground cinnamon or infuse the water with a few cinnamon sticks before adding the chocolate and cocoa powder.
    • Amaretto – add ½ ounce (15 ml) Amaretto liqueur if you like boozy hot chocolate.
    • Peanut butter or almond butter – whisk in 2 teaspoons of your favorite nut butter for a nutty flavor and an extra creamy texture.

    Frequently asked questions

    What's the best cocoa powder for hot chocolate?

    Unsweetened Dutch-process cocoa powder is my personal favorite as it has a more intense chocolate flavor. Since this recipe uses sugar and plain chopped chocolate, pure cocoa powder is best.

    Don’t forget to join the Cooking With Elo newsletter. You’ll get gluten-free and vegan dinner ideas sent right to your inbox.

    The recipe

    Glass cup with hot chocolate and an antique spoon on a white marble background.

    Delicious Hot Chocolate With Water (No Milk)

    4.42 from 17 votes
    This hot chocolate with water is richer and creamier than powder hot chocolates and much lighter on your stomach than ones made with milk. Plus, it's naturally vegan and dairy-free.
    Print Pin
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes
    Servings: 1
    Author: Eloïse Jennes

    Ingredients 

    • ¾ cups (180 ml) water
    • 1 tablespoon (10 g) chopped semi-sweet chocolate I use a vegan 50 % chocolate bar
    • 1 tablespoon (10 g) chopped dark chocolate I use Lindt 70% mild chocolate bar
    • 1 teaspoon unsweetened cocoa powder
    • 1 ½ teaspoons sugar sub maple syrup
    • ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Add the water, chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and vanilla extract to a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat.
    • Whisk until the chocolate has completely melted.
    • Pour it into your favorite mug.

    Video

    Notes

    1. If you don't like dark chocolate, simply replace it with more semi-sweet chocolate.
    2. If you find the hot chocolate too watery add another tablespoon of semi-sweet chocolate.
    3. Add some of your favorite spices, such as cinnamon, cardamom, ginger or cayenne pepper. Remember to stir regularly when drinking your hot chocolate as ground spices sink to the bottom of the glass.
    4. Replace the vanilla extract with peppermint extract from time to time.
    5. To make hot chocolate in the microwave, heat water in a cup until it's steaming hot. Add in all the ingredients and stir until everything is melted.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 205kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 15g
    Leave a rating and comment below! Thank you!Don't forget to mention @cookingwithelo on social media

    More

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    • Lavender Syrup Coffee

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    • Martini Fiero Spritz

    This site contains affiliate links which means that I may receive a commission if you purchase through that link, at no extra cost to you. However, please know that I only provide links to products that I actually use and wholeheartedly recommend! Please read out full disclosure here.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Camille

      September 19, 2022 at 9:02 am

      5 stars
      Best hot chocolate on earth! Super creamy and comforting, crazy when you realise it is a vegan recipe! Just try it out

      Reply
      • cookingwithelo

        September 21, 2022 at 1:43 pm

        So happy to read your feedback! I'm hooked, too!

        Reply
    2. Maia

      December 29, 2022 at 11:59 pm

      5 stars
      This was so decadent! I added a pinch of salt and some coconut cream for my kiddos and for the big Kids some cayenne 🙂
      Thanks for the recipe!

      Reply
      • cookingwithelo

        January 02, 2023 at 8:11 am

        I love that! I'll definitely try adding cayenne the next time I make it, too 😄

        Reply
    3. Rekha P

      January 07, 2023 at 9:00 pm

      5 stars
      So tasty

      Reply
      • cookingwithelo

        January 09, 2023 at 6:28 pm

        Thank you for your feedback! Glad you liked it.

        Reply

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