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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Desserts

    Published: Dec 6, 2023 · Modified: Jan 5, 2024 by Petra · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Creamy Hot Chocolate with Water (No Milk!)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This Hot Chocolate with Water will be your new favorite cozy drink: It's rich, creamy, and so chocolaty. Made without milk and naturally dairy-free, vegan, and ready in just 5 minutes!

    Two clear glasses filled with hot chocolate and topped with whipped cream. A cinnamon stick pointing out of each one of them.

    On a chilly day, pour yourself a big mug of hot chocolate for the ultimate cozy vibes!

    It's sweet, creamy, decadent, and perfect for the holiday season.

    This dairy-free hot chocolate is easy to make, featuring 5 simple ingredients only. It uses real chocolate, cacao powder, brown sugar, salt, and water.

    Top it with coconut whipped cream for even more indulgence and enjoy it with vegan churros dipped in!

    Looking for home cozy warm drinks? Check out my hot bubble milk tea!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients and Substitutions
    • How to Make Hot Chocolate with Water
    • Expert Tips
    • Hot Chocolate FAQs
    • Optional Add-ins
    • Storage
    • More Delicious Drinks
    • 📖 Recipe

    Ingredients and Substitutions

    • Hot water. You won't need any kind of milk for this recipe. Hot, filtered water is the only liquid you'll need.
    • Unsweetened cocoa powder. I use Dutch-processed cocoa powder for a rich chocolaty flavor. Cacao powder can work, but it's more acidic and not as rich. For hot chocolate and chocolate desserts in general, such as vegan chocolate pudding, zucchini brownies, and double chocolate cookies, I always use cocoa powder.
    • Vegan chocolate chips. Make sure to use high-quality dark chocolate for the best results.
    • Brown sugar. Feel free to use any type of sugar you have on hand- white sugar, coconut sugar, etc. You can also use a liquid sweetener like maple syrup or honey or even my brown sugar syrup for boba.
    • Pinch of salt: A small pinch of salt enhances the rest of the flavors.
    • Vanilla extract: A little vanilla goes a long way and adds a nice aroma, but it's optional.

    See the recipe card below for full measurements.

    How to Make Hot Chocolate with Water

    In a small saucepan, add hot water, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and vanilla. Whisk well, until no clumps of cocoa powder remain.

    Let it heat on medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, stirring often to prevent it from burning.

    Whisking hot chocolate mixture in a sauce pan with a stainless steel whisk.

    When the mixture is warm enough to your liking, remove it from the heat.

    Then, pour the vegan hot chocolate into two mugs. Add your favorite toppings and serve right away!

    We like to add a dollop of coconut whipped cream, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for the perfect winter drink!

    If you're feeling extra, top with vegan marshmallows.

    Pouring hot chocolate into a clear glass.

    Expert Tips

    • Use high-quality chocolate. This is the biggest thing that will impact the taste of your hot chocolate. Most dark chocolate bars have a high percentage of cocoa powder and real cocoa butter, which gives you that creamy texture without the need for cream or milk. Consider using a chopped chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips.
    • Taste and adjust as you go. You can add more brown sugar, cocoa powder, or salt to taste. Some days I want my hot chocolate sweeter than others, so I adjust it as I go.
    • Don't let it simmer. Warm up the mixture until it's hot and the chocolate has melted, but if it starts to simmer, lower the heat or take the saucepan off the stovetop completely.
    • Make your own homemade hot chocolate mix by adding all of the dry ingredients to a small jar. Then, simply pour hot water and mix! Most hot chocolate mixes contain milk powder, so this is an easy way to save money, and avoid dairy!

    Hot Chocolate FAQs

    Is hot chocolate with water good?

    Yes, this hot chocolate is delicious, rich, and SO chocolaty! Truly, you wouldn't know there isn't any dairy in it.

    Can you use water instead of milk for hot chocolate?

    Absolutely! Water is the best substitute for hot chocolate without milk. It's slightly less rich than if you'd use whole milk, but it's just as delicious.

    How do I make this recipe refined sugar-free?

    I recommend using using a natural sweetener such as pure maple syrup. Keep in mind that the chocolate chips have added sugar too, so you may need to use sugar-free chocolate.

    Does hot chocolate have caffeine?

    Yes, hot chocolate does have a small amount of caffeine. However, it's much less than coffee, tea, and energy drinks. It won't impact you significantly unless you're very sensitive to caffeine.

    Scooping whipped cream from a glass filled with oat milk hot chocolate.

    Optional Add-ins

    • Peppermint extract. ¼ to ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract will brighten up this recipe.
    • Cayenne Pepper. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper for some spice and kick.
    • Coffee. You can add either a shot of espresso or mix instant coffee with hot water.
    • Peanut Butter. Add 1-2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter to add nuttiness and creaminess without using milk.
    • Spices such as ground cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, or ginger. Add ¼ to ½ tsp.

    Storage

    Let leftover hot chocolate cool to room temperature, then transfer it to a glass jar, and save it in the fridge for 2-3 days.

    To reheat, add to a saucepan and heat on the stovetop for 4-5 minutes, or until hot. Alternatively, you can heat it in the microwave as well.

    More Delicious Drinks

    • A glass of oat milk eggnog topped with ground cinnamon and a cinnamon stick.
      Oat Milk Eggnog (Vegan or Traditional)
    • Two glasses of oat milk matcha latte next to each other, topped with a sprinkle of matcha powder.
      Oat Milk Matcha Latte (Hot or Iced)
    • Two glasses filled with Oreo milkshake made without ice cream, and topped with whipped cream and cocktail cherries.
      Oreo Milkshake without Ice Cream
    • Coconut milkshake served in a glass and topped with whipped cream and coconut flakes.
      Creamy Coconut Milkshake (3 Ingredients)

    📖 Recipe

    Two glasses filled with hot chocolate, and topped with whipped cream and ground cinnamon.

    Creamy Hot Chocolate with Water

    This Hot Chocolate with Water will be your new favorite cozy drink: rich, creamy, and so chocolaty! It's made without milk and is dairy-free, vegan, and ready in just 5 minutes!
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert, Drinks
    Cuisine: American, Gluten-free, Vegan
    Prep Time: 0 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Servings: 2
    Author: Petra
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Ingredients

    • 2 ½ cups warm water
    • 2 tablespoon dark chocolate chips
    • 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips
    • 2 tablespoon vegan brown sugar
    • 2 tablespoon cocoa powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon salt
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
    Step-by-step imagesScroll back to find detailed recipe photos!

    Instructions

    • To a small saucepan add water, chocolate chips, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and vanilla. At this point, add the cinnamon if desired.
      2 ½ cups warm water, 2 tablespoon dark chocolate chips, 1 tablespoon semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 tablespoon vegan brown sugar, 2 tablespoon cocoa powder, ⅛ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • Whisk well, until no clumps of cocoa powder remain. Let it heat on medium heat for about 3-4 minutes, stirring often to prevent it from burning.
    • When the mixture is warm enough to your liking, and the chocolate has melted, remove it from the heat. Then, pour the hot chocolate into two mugs. Add your favorite toppings and serve right away!

    Foaming (optional)

    • Add hot chocolate to a blender and blend on high for 30-60 seconds, until foam has formed. The longer you blender, the more foam you'll have. Serve immediately!

    Notes

    Storage 
    • Fridge: Let hot chocolate cool to room temperature and transfer to a mason jar. Store in the fridge for 3-4 days.
    • Freezer: Let hot chocolate cool to room temperature and transfer it to a mason jar. Freeze for up to 3 months, and let thaw overnight in the fridge. 
    To reheat
    • Stovetop: Add hot chocolate to a saucepan and heat over medium, stirring occasionally. Remove from the heat once it's warmed through, after around 5 minutes. Don't bring it to a boil.
    • Microwave: Add hot chocolate to a mug and microwave on high for 30 seconds or until warmed through.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 141kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 2.2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 154mg | Potassium: 196mg | Fiber: 3.5g | Sugar: 15g | Calcium: 25mg | Iron: 2mg

    Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.

    Tried this recipe?Leave me a rating and a comment telling me how it went. Or tag me at @sunglowkichen and hashtag #sunglowkitchen on Instagram!

    More Easy Vegan Desserts

    • Vegan chickpea cheesecake topped with stewed strawberries.
      Vegan Strawberry Cheesecake (with a secret ingredient!)
    • Pumpkin chocolate mousse in a glass cup topped with cocoa powder and raspberries.
      Pumpkin Chocolate Mousse
    • Chocolate aquafaba mousse in a glass cup topped with whipped cream and raspberries.
      Aquafaba Chocolate Mousse
    • Lemon Blueberry Crisp (Gluten-free)

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Boris says

      January 30, 2022 at 6:21 pm

      5 stars
      I can’t stop drinking this hot chocolate… somebody help!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        January 31, 2022 at 10:31 am

        Haha, I agree! it's so good!

        Reply
    2. Emma says

      December 15, 2021 at 2:30 pm

      This hot chocolate was so creamy and indulgent, but not too sweet. I loved it!

      Reply
      • Petranka says

        December 16, 2021 at 11:15 am

        Yay! Happy to hear!

        Reply
    5 from 2 votes (1 rating without comment)

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    Hi, I'm Petra!

    I'm a professional chef and a certified nutritionist! Sunglow Kitchen is all about easy vegan and vegetarian recipes that anyone can make at home, even if you're a beginner. Learn more about me here!

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