Q&A for How to Make Hot Cocoa

There are lots of delicious toppings you can add to hot chocolate! For example, you can add toppings such as whipped cream, marshmallows, cinnamon, chocolate shavings, dusted cocoa powder (in a design if wished), sprinkles, vanilla sugar, maple sugar, etc.

In small amounts, good quality hot chocolate can be beneficial because of the flavonoids (powerful antioxidants) it contains, which scientific studies have shown can help improve blood flow, boost your energy, aid digestion, heighten your thinking skills (including helping your memory), contribute to heart health, etc. However, enjoying this drink must form part of a healthy, balanced diet and it is recommended that you have no more than 2 cups of hot chocolate a day. Also, remember that some chocolate mixes contain sugar and artificial additives that are not healthy in big doses.

You can either train yourself to get used to the flavor of hot chocolate or cocoa powder added to hot water (which is hard to do), or you can add some additional ingredients to make it taste better. Many people like to add sugar or some other sweetener (honey, rice syrup, etc.) to make the hot chocolate taste sweeter and less bitter, and this is the best thing to try first. And if you’re not keen on adding full milk, try adding just a dash of milk to the hot water, enough to add flavor and change the color to a lighter shade (you can use dairy or plant milks).

It depends on what you add to either drink and the type of tea or hot chocolate used. Both drinks can be healthy in their natural forms, such as hot cocoa or black, green or red teas. What you need to watch for are the additions like milk, sugar, unnatural flavorings, etc. For the best health benefits, choose cocoa powder, which is higher in antioxidants than even many teas, and for tea, stick to ones that are fresh, unflavored by artificial ingredients (additions like flowers, fruit peel, etc., are usually okay as these are natural) and enjoy such drinks as part of a balanced, healthy diet.

Hot cocoa is made using pure cocoa, to which you add milk and if you want, a sweetener like sugar. Cocoa powder is unadulterated, meaning it is not mixed with other ingredients but is just the powder made from roasted and ground cocoa beans. Hot chocolate mix is often made from cocoa and sugar and it may also contain powdered milk and flavorings. Diluting the cocoa in this way makes it sweeter and less bitter. The manner in which hot cocoa and hot chocolate is made can be different too, depending on whether there is a need to add hot milk or just hot water if the mix already contains milk.

Cocoa powder is unsweetened, so it would not taste very pleasant, although you 'could' use a sugar substitute such as stevia. Hot chocolate can actually be made by just preparing chocolate-milk using fresh milk mixed with your favourite syrup or powdered chocolate-milk mix, and then warm it in the microwave or on stove-top, taking care that the milk does not froth and boil over.

Just mix your cocoa powder and sugar, and then add your milk. Vanilla extract is optional.

You could, but it would alter the taste of the cocoa in a way that might be undesirable.

Yes. You heat up the milk, and then stir in Nesquick just like you would with a hot cocoa packet.

The water will make the hot cocoa taste different.

No, cocoa is not sweet unless you add sugar. If you want a richer taste, however, you can add less sugar.

Not from my personal experience; it tastes bittersweet and watery. You could use almond milk, coconut milk or soy milk if ordinary milk isn't desirable.

You can combine the chocolate syrup with milk and heat it up on the stove or in the microwave. It won't be exactly as good as real homemade hot cocoa, but it makes a good replacement.

No. Cocoa is not juice, so you couldn't make it in a juice machine. Also, it's hot chocolate. Adding ice would defeat the whole purpose.

Yes, but it would end up being a very sweet drink. Nutella has more sugar than chocolate, so you might be better off adding dark chocolate chunks.

Yes, but it may affect the taste. If you're using artificial sweetener tablets, make sure they dissolve properly.

If you can't use a stove or a kettle, try using a microwave. There are 3 different ways to make hot cocoa in the instructions above.

No. Creamer is mainly made of corn syrup solids and hydrogenated oils. If you don't want to use milk or powdered milk, consider using alternative milk, such as hemp, soy, or almond milk.

It's possible, but you will have to play around with the recipe as the taste of almond milk is much sweeter and the coconut milk will add a coconut flavor. If you're using almond milk, I'd recommend using less sugar than the recipe calls for. Any other tweaks will have to be done by you based on your personal tastes.

It depends on how you make it. Studies show that chocolate is richer than heart-healthy antioxidants than green tea. If you use milk in your hot cocoa, it can provide protein, dairy fat, and can potentially protect against strokes. However, adding too much sugar can quickly make hot cocoa unhealthy. Opt for a dark chocolate hot cocoa mix that is low in sugar and avoid having more than 2-3 cups a day to enjoy the health benefits of the chocolate.

It depends on how you like your hot chocolate! If you want to taste more of the flavors and subtle notes of the chocolate, then hot water won't affect or alter the flavor at all. If you like a nice, creamy cup of hot chocolate, then milk is the way to go. But, it doesn't have to be dairy! Oat, almond, and soy milk will all add a creamy feel to the tasty hot beverage.

It's actually easier than you may think. Pour 4 cups (950 ml) of milk into a medium saucepan and stir in 1/2 cup (100 g) of granulated sugar with 1/4 cup (25 g) of unsweetened cocoa powder. Simmer the hot cocoa over medium heat for about 8 to 10 minutes, and give the milk a good whisking every few minutes to help it mix. Turn off the burner and stir in 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract or any flavor extract you'd like. Pour the hot cocoa into a mug, and top it with some marshmallows or whipped cream to take it to the next level.