This incredibly decadent Frozen Hot Chocolate transforms your favorite winter comfort drink into a refreshing summer treat that’s ready in just 5 minutes! With its velvety smooth texture and rich chocolate flavor, it’s the perfect indulgence for chocolate lovers of all ages. This simple blender recipe requires just a handful of ingredients but delivers a café-quality frozen treat that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Ridiculously Quick: From start to finish, you’ll have this frozen delight ready in just 5 minutes – perfect for those sudden chocolate cravings!
- Minimal Ingredients: Uses simple pantry staples that you likely already have on hand.
- Versatile Treat: Works beautifully as a casual afternoon refreshment, dessert, or even a special occasion treat that impresses guests.
- Kid-Friendly: Children absolutely adore this drink, but it’s sophisticated enough for adults to enjoy too.
- No Special Equipment: Just a basic blender is all you need to create this café-style beverage at home.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Chocolate Milk: The base of our frozen hot chocolate, providing a smooth, creamy texture and built-in chocolate flavor. Using chocolate milk instead of regular milk gives the drink an extra depth of chocolate richness.
- Hot Chocolate Mix: The secret ingredient that gives this drink its authentic “hot chocolate” flavor in cold form. Use your favorite brand for the best results – premium hot chocolate mixes will yield a more luxurious drink.
- Crushed Ice: Creates the perfect frozen consistency. The amount can be adjusted depending on how thick you prefer your frozen drink.
- Whipped Cream: For that essential billowy topping that makes the drink feel special. Fresh whipped cream is amazing, but canned works perfectly too!
- Chocolate Chips: Sprinkled on top for extra chocolate flavor and a delightful texture contrast. They slowly melt into the drink as you enjoy it.
Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Variations
Want to customize your frozen hot chocolate? Here are some delicious twists:
- Mint Chocolate: Add a drop of peppermint extract or use mint hot chocolate packets for a refreshing twist.
- Mocha Madness: Add a shot of espresso or a tablespoon of instant coffee to create a frozen mocha.
- Salted Caramel: Drizzle caramel sauce inside the glass and add a pinch of sea salt to the blender mixture.
- Mexican Chocolate: Add a dash of cinnamon and a tiny pinch of cayenne pepper for a spicy-sweet variation.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: Add a tablespoon of peanut butter to the blender for a delicious flavor combination.
How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate
Step 1: Chill Your Glasses
Place two glasses in the freezer for at least 5 minutes. This simple step makes a huge difference in keeping your drink frosty longer and creates that professional presentation.
Step 2: Blend the Ingredients
Pour the chocolate milk, hot cocoa mix, and crushed ice into a blender. Blend until the mixture is completely smooth and no ice chunks remain. This usually takes about 30-45 seconds depending on your blender’s power.
Step 3: Serve and Garnish
Pour the frozen chocolate mixture into your chilled glasses. Work quickly so it doesn’t melt! Top generously with whipped cream and sprinkle with chocolate chips for that picture-perfect finish.
Pro Tips for Making the Recipe
- Pre-freeze Your Chocolate Milk: For an even thicker, frostier drink, freeze the chocolate milk in ice cube trays beforehand and use these cubes instead of regular ice.
- Quality Matters: Use a hot chocolate mix you truly enjoy drinking – the flavor will be concentrated in this recipe.
- Blend in Stages: Start on low speed and gradually increase to high to ensure a perfectly smooth texture.
- Serving Size: This recipe makes two generous servings, but you can easily scale it up for a crowd.
- Glass Choice: Serve in clear glasses to show off the beautiful chocolate color and layers with the whipped cream.
How to Serve
Frozen hot chocolate is versatile enough to be served in multiple ways:
As a Dessert
Serve in elegant glassware with a long spoon and pair with butter cookies or biscotti for dipping.
For a Special Occasion
Create a build-your-own frozen hot chocolate bar with various toppings like chocolate shavings, different sprinkles, crushed cookies, and flavored whipped creams.
Summer Cooldown
Offer these as a refreshing alternative to ice cream on hot summer days, perhaps with some fresh berries on the side.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Base Mixture
You can blend the chocolate base mixture ahead of time and store it in the freezer for up to 2 hours. When ready to serve, give it a quick pulse in the blender to restore the smooth texture.
Freezing
While best enjoyed fresh, you can freeze the prepared mixture in a freezer-safe container for up to 1 month. Thaw partially, then re-blend with a splash of fresh chocolate milk to revive the texture.
Reheating
Ironically, you can actually turn this frozen hot chocolate back into regular hot chocolate! Simply warm it gently in a saucepan until hot, and you’ve got traditional hot chocolate.
FAQs
-
Can I use regular milk instead of chocolate milk?
Yes, you can use regular milk and add 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup or 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder. The flavor won’t be quite as rich, but it still makes a delicious treat.
-
My frozen hot chocolate seems too thin. How can I thicken it?
The easiest fix is to add more ice and blend again. If you want more chocolate flavor along with thickness, add a few chocolate ice cream scoops and reduce the milk slightly.
-
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Absolutely! Use your favorite chocolate plant-based milk and dairy-free whipped topping. Many hot chocolate mixes are already dairy-free, but check the ingredients to be sure.
-
Is this suitable for children’s parties?
This is perfect for children’s parties! You can even let kids customize their own toppings with colorful sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or crushed cookies. For a less sweet version, use unsweetened chocolate milk.
Final Thoughts
This Frozen Hot Chocolate gives you all the comforting flavor of your favorite winter beverage in a refreshing, frosty form. It’s the perfect quick treat when you need a chocolate fix without the fuss. Whether you’re cooling down on a summer afternoon or looking for a special dessert that requires minimal effort, this recipe delivers impressive results every time. Give it a try – I guarantee it will become a regular in your household!
Print
Frozen Hot Chocolate Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 2 drinks 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A cool and creamy twist on the classic hot chocolate! This Frozen Hot Chocolate is a delightful blend of chocolate milk, hot chocolate mix, and ice, perfect for satisfying your chocolate cravings on a hot day. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips, it’s a treat for both kids and adults.
Ingredients
- 1 cup chocolate milk
- 2 packets hot chocolate mix
- 1 1/2 cups crushed ice
- Whipped cream (for topping)
- Chocolate chips (for topping)
Instructions
- Chill the Glasses
Place two glasses in the freezer for at least 5 minutes to chill. This helps keep your frozen hot chocolate colder for longer and gives it that frosty finish when you pour it in. - Blend the Mixture
In a blender, combine the chocolate milk, hot chocolate mix, and crushed ice. Blend until smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no chunks of ice left for the perfect texture. - Serve and Garnish
Remove the chilled glasses from the freezer and pour the frozen hot chocolate mixture into them. Top with generous swirls of whipped cream and sprinkle some chocolate chips on top for extra indulgence.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, use whole chocolate milk instead of skim milk.
- Want extra chocolatey goodness? Drizzle some chocolate syrup inside the glass before pouring in the frozen hot chocolate!
- You can substitute regular hot cocoa mix with a sugar-free version for a lighter option.
- Use dark chocolate chips or even mini marshmallows for varied toppings.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 drink
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 28mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
