Quick answer: melt 3 oz of chocolate with 2 tablespoons of hot cocoa mix and 1 tablespoon of sugar, stir in ½ cup of milk and cool. Blend with another 1 cup of milk and 3 cups of ice until slushy. Top with whipped cream.

Ingredients (2 large glasses)

  • 3 oz (85 g) good chocolate, chopped (milk, dark or a mix)
  • 2 tbsp hot cocoa mix
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • 1½ cups (360 ml) milk, divided
  • 3 cups ice
  • Whipped cream and chocolate shavings

How to make it

  1. Melt the chocolate gently in a small pan or the microwave.
  2. Stir in the cocoa mix and sugar, then whisk in ½ cup of the milk until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
  3. Blend the chocolate mixture, the remaining milk and the ice until thick and slushy.
  4. Pour into chilled glasses and pile on the whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

The whipped cream

It is half the drink: a tall swirl that melts into the chocolate. Use whipped cream, chocolate whipped cream, or a whipped cream dispenser for the café look.

Variations

  • Mocha: add a shot of cooled espresso.
  • Peppermint: ¼ tsp peppermint extract and crushed candy canes.
  • White chocolate: use white chocolate and leave out the cocoa mix.
  • Peanut butter: blend in 2 tbsp peanut butter.
  • Creamier: replace ¼ cup of the milk with heavy cream.

For the warm version see hot chocolate with whipped cream and hot chocolate bar ideas; for other blended drinks see frappés and milkshakes.

Frequently asked questions

What is frozen hot chocolate?

A blended iced drink that tastes like hot chocolate: melted chocolate and hot cocoa mix blended with milk and ice until slushy, then topped with whipped cream.

What is the difference between frozen hot chocolate and a chocolate milkshake?

A milkshake is made with ice cream. Frozen hot chocolate uses ice, so it is lighter and more intensely chocolate.

Can I make frozen hot chocolate with just hot cocoa mix?

Yes. Blend 3 packets of mix with 1 cup of milk and 3 cups of ice. Melted chocolate makes it richer.

Can I make it ahead?

Make the chocolate base ahead and chill it. Blend with ice just before serving.

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