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!
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!
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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.
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.
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
Yes, this hot chocolate is delicious, rich, and SO chocolaty! Truly, you wouldn't know there isn't any dairy in it.
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.
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.
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.
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
📖 Recipe
Creamy Hot Chocolate with Water
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)
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
- 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.
- 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
Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with third-party calculations without including the optional ingredients.
Boris says
I can’t stop drinking this hot chocolate… somebody help!
Petranka says
Haha, I agree! it's so good!
Emma says
This hot chocolate was so creamy and indulgent, but not too sweet. I loved it!
Petranka says
Yay! Happy to hear!