Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe

Overhead view of a glass jar of homemade hot cocoa mix tied with a red ribbon on a wood slice, with a wooden spoon of cocoa mix, dark chocolate pieces, and mini marshmallows, beside a glass mug of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows on a green gingham cloth

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This hot cocoa mix recipe is a simple 3-ingredient blend made with cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Mix it once, keep it in the pantry all winter, and spoon it into a jar for the easiest homemade holiday gift.

Prep Time10

Additional Time5

Total Time15

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 70kcal

Author: Emily Rider

Equipment

1 Large mixing bowl
1 Whisk
1 Airtight container

Ingredients

3½ cups granulated sugar 700 grams
2¼ cups unsweetened cocoa powder 190 grams (sifted, Dutch-process preferred)
1 tablespoon fine sea salt 18 grams

Instructions

Sift the cocoa – Sift the cocoa powder through a fine mesh sieve into a large mixing bowl to remove any clumps.
Combine – Add the granulated sugar and fine sea salt to the bowl with the sifted cocoa powder.
Whisk – Whisk thoroughly until the mixture is one uniform color with no streaks or pockets of any single ingredient remaining.
Check – Rub a small pinch between your fingers to confirm it feels smooth and evenly blended.
Store – Transfer to an airtight glass jar or container and tap gently to settle the powder.
Serve – Add 2 tablespoons of mix to 8 ounces of hot milk or water. Whisk vigorously until fully dissolved. Adjust ratio to taste.

Video

Notes

Use Dutch-process cocoa – Dutch-process dissolves more cleanly and gives a smoother, deeper chocolate flavor. Regular unsweetened cocoa works but Dutch-process is worth using when available.

Always use a dry spoon – Any moisture introduced into the jar causes irreversible clumping. Keep a dedicated dry scoop with the jar and reseal tightly after every use.

Adjust at the mug level – Start with 2 tablespoons per 8 ounces and adjust from there. It is easier to fine-tune a single mug than to recalibrate the whole batch.

Gifting – Spoon into a wide-mouth mason jar, tie a small wooden scoop to the outside with kitchen twine, and add a serving tag with the ratio. Pairs beautifully with homemade marshmallows and gingerbread cookies.

Nutrition