Finding a plant based (vegan) hot cocoa mix is a mixed bag.
For example, if you can find Swiss Miss’s Non-Dairy Hot Cocoa Mix in the store, here is the ingredient list:
Sugar, Cocoa (Processed with Alkali), Nonfat Dried Coconut Milk, Tapioca Maltodextrin, Coconut Oil, Modified Corn Starch, Corn Syrup Solids, Gum Acacia, Less than 2% of: Corn Maltodextrin, Salt, Enzyme Modified Cocoa Butter, Natural Flavor.
Your hot cocoa doesn’t need all that. It doesn’t need corn starch, corn maltodextrin, or corn syrup solids. Commercially made cocoa mix isn’t cheap either, and it’s often on the stale end. Your mix will taste so much better if you make it yourself! I have had the Swiss Miss one and to say I wasn’t overly impressed is putting it lightly. It was weak in flavor and heavy on the sweetness. I had picked it up on sale to try out in our RV and the boys said no thanks after one cup. I ended up tossing it out after 3 packets.
It only need 4 ingredients:
Coconut Milk Powder, Cocoa Powder (preferably dark), Sugar and a pinch of Sea Salt.
Does it taste of coconut? To a point. It’s got a mild coconut-ish flavor. It’s not overly sweet either, if you use dark cocoa powder. You can swap in your favorite sugar substitute as well.
Want a mocha? Add 1 teaspoon of instant espresso powder per mix bag (look up high in the coffee aisle, and you might see the jars with the green lid).
Plant Based Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients:
- ½ cup coconut milk powder
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
- Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
Combine the dry ingredients well, using a whisk or a blender to make sure it is well blended.
Divide into 4 portions, of about ¼ cup each, in a snack size zip top bag or store long-term in a mason jar to keep fresh.
To make:
Add 1 portion to a mug, stir in 1 cup boiled water, until smooth.
Enjoy!
Makes 4 servings.
~Sarah