Looking for a decadent afternoon treat? You'll love this delicious Hot Chocolate Coffee! This delightful drink, which pairs cocoa and espresso, is super easy to make and absolutely irresistible!
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Are you a fan of chocolate and coffee? Then you won't be able to resist this decadent coffee shop inspired Hot Chocolate Coffee Drink!
You are going to love this scrumptious cocoa! The recipe combines Hot Chocolate and Coffee into one delightful drink ... it's similar a mocha, but even better and more chocolatey!
This is Hot Cocoa for grownups! The recipe made by adding espresso to my favorite Hot Chocolate. It's wonderfully rich and creamy, simple to make, and ready in minutes (no espresso machine required). You can easily throw together a batch anytime you need a caffeine boost or a little pick me up.
Ready to start sipping? Then keep reading for all the details!
Ingredients
This recipe uses simple, easy to find ingredients! Here's what you'll need:
- Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this recipe its rich, chocolatey flavor (both natural and dutch process varieties work fine). Hershey's is a good, easy to find option, but for more decadent results, use a premium cocoa, such as Guittard, Scharffen Berger, or Valrhona.
- Coffee - The coffee flavor in this drink comes from instant espresso powder. You may also used instant coffee or freshly brewed espresso, if you prefer.
- Milk - Technically, you can use any kind of milk for this recipe, but whole milk really does works best. For a vegan drink, use your favorite non-dairy milk. I recommend choosing one that's extra creamy, like oat, coconut, or soy milk (my fave because it's thick and has a neutral flavor).
- Sugar - You'll use granulated sugar to sweeten the drink. This cocoa isn't overly sweet, but you can always add more sugar to taste, if you prefer. Other sweeteners, like brown sugar or sugar-free alternatives, may also be used. However, you will need to experiment with the quantity to determine the right amount.
- Toppings - I topped this Espresso Hot Chocolate with whipped cream and shaved chocolate, but feel free to get creative. You'll find lots of tasty ideas below!
This recipe is naturally vegetarian and gluten-free. As mentioned above, you can easily make it vegan by choosing a plant-based milk.
You'll Also Need
You'll need a medium saucepan to cook this recipe, and one with a heavy bottom will work best. Grab some measuring cups and a whisk to combine the ingredients, too. And you'll need some mugs. I served mine in glass mugs to show of the layers between the drink and the topping ... so pretty!
How to Make Hot Chocolate Coffee
Hot Chocolate and Coffee couldn't be easier to make! You'll find a detailed recipe card below, but here's an overview of the steps:
- Combine ingredients. Begin by adding the milk, cocoa powder, espresso powder, and sugar to a medium pot, then whisk well. Don't worry if the ingredients take a while to combine ... just keep whisking. As the drink heats up everything will come together.
- Heat until hot. Cook the drink over medium heat, whisking frequently, until it's hot.
- Serve. When the cocoa is hot and smooth (no need to boil), stir in any extras (like chopped chocolate, vanilla extract, or peppermint extract) that you'd like to use. Whisk until everything is completely combined, then serve with your favorite toppings.
All right, it's time to enjoy your homemade Hot Chocolate Coffee. Wasn't that simple? This recipe is so easy that you can throw together a batch in minutes ... treat yourself the next time a craving strikes!
Tip: This recipe makes three small servings or two larger servings. If you're serving a crowd, you can easily double, triple or even quadruple the recipe, as needed.
Variations
This yummy chocolate coffee drink is pretty perfect as-is, but here are some easy ideas to try if you feel like experimenting:
- Espresso - Using instant espresso makes this recipe super easy, but you can use freshly brewed espresso, if you prefer. I'd recommend adding three single shots.
- Extra Rich - Make this basic cocoa extra decadent by stirring in chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate and a little vanilla extract. You could also replace some of the milk with heavy cream. Using a premium cocoa powder, such as Guittard, Scharffen Berger, or Valrhona, will also make a huge difference.
- Cinnamon - Love a cinnamon and chocolate combo? Throw in a cinnamon stick (or a generous pinch of ground cinnamon) before heating.
- Peppermint - Give your drink a festive twist by adding half a teaspoon of peppermint extract before serving.
- Vegan - To make this recipe vegan, use a creamy plant-based milk, such as oat, coconut, or soy. I prefer to use my favorite soy milk, which has a neutral flavor and thick, creamy texture.
Topping Ideas
Let's get to the good part ... the toppings, of course! While you can serve this Coffee and Hot Cocoa Drink plain, it's even better with a tasty topping or two.
- Whipped Cream - A generous dollop of homemade whipped cream is never a bad idea!
- Chocolate - Sprinkle on some shaved chocolate or mini chocolate chips, or drizzle on a little chocolate sauce.
- Marshmallows - You can't go wrong with classic marshmallows. These vegan marshmallows are a great vegetarian / vegan option!
- Caramel - Give your homemade cocoa coffee shop vibes by drizzling caramel sauce over the top. Both my Brown Sugar Caramel Sauce and Salted Caramel recipes would work great, or you could use a store bought syrup.
- Sprinkles - Make your drink extra cute by topping it with whipped cream, then adding these chocolate sprinkles over the top!
Storage
If you have any leftover Mocha Hot Cocoa, refrigerate it in an airtight container, and it will stay fresh for two to three days. Gently rewarm in your microwave (or a small saucepan) before drinking.
Related Recipes
Looking for more cozy drink ideas? You'll love these easy recipes, too:
- Hot Cocoa - My favorite basic hot choc recipe that's super delish + so easy to customize!
- Peppermint Hot Chocolate - Lovely at Christmas or anytime you're feeling festive.
- Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate - Super decadent and oh so delicious.
- Mexican Hot Chocolate - A spiced version of my fave recipe that's so tasty.
- Boozy Hot Chocolate - Serve this easy drink, then get the party started!
- Chai Latte with Espresso - This recipe combines your fave spiced chai with a shot of espresso for an extra caffeine kick.
- Salted Caramel Affogatto - The perfect after dinner treat!
Hot Chocolate Coffee Drink
Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 4 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar (or more to taste)
- 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder (or instant coffee)
Instructions
- Pour milk into a medium saucepan. Whisk in cocoa powder, sugar, and instant espresso until well combined and most lumps have disappeared.
- Warm over medium heat until hot, continuing to whisk. Do not boil.
- Divide cocoa between 2 to 3 mugs. Serve plain or with your favorite toppings, such as whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
