Frozen Hot Chocolate

Frozen Hot Chocolate is a smooth and creamy frozen treat you can enjoy all year round. Famously known from Serendipity 3’s, this copycat frozen hot chocolate will have you transported to that cute little ice cream shop in New York City. A rich yet refreshing beverage made in a matter of minutes, you’ll be enjoying one of these delicious drinks in no time!

“How do you even make hot chocolate frozen? Doesn’t that defeat the purpose of a HOT chocolate?” Well, I suppose that’s why we invented oxymorons! This drink just might be the most delicious contradiction you’ll ever come by.

This recipe uses hot chocolate mix, which will give you that classic hot cocoa flavor, while also being a refreshing beverage you can enjoy on a hot summer’s day!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Chocolate Milk – The secret ingredient! This will give your frozen hot cocoa that extra chocolatey flavor. If you don’t have chocolate milk, it’s really easy to make yourself. Just use the same amount of regular milk and add 1 ½ to 2 tablespoons of chocolate syrup. You can also use regular milk, you’ll just have a bit less chocolate flavor. I have not used a dairy free milk, but I imagine those would work fine.
• Dry Hot Chocolate Mix – Just use the dry mix in the recipe, there is no need to combine it with any liquid. Any brand of hot cocoa mix will work. Some of my favorites are the Swiss Miss Dark Chocolate, or the Good and Gather Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix from Target.
• Ice – I find using smaller ice cubes gives the frozen hot chocolate a smoother texture.
• Whipped Cream – You can use canned whipped cream, whipped topping, or make you own homemade whipped cream. This would pair really nicely with some homemade cinnamon whipped cream.
• Chocolate Shavings – This is optional, but makes a lovely garnish! You can use dark chocolate, milk chocolate, or any kind of chocolate you can think of. Other great garnishes are crushed peppermint, caramel syrup, chocolate syrup, or even marshmallow bits!

How To Make Frozen Hot Chocolate

1. To a blender, add the chocolate milk.
2. Next, add the dry hot cocoa mix to the chocolate milk.
3. Finally, add the ice on top, cover the blender with a lid and blend on a medium-high setting until the beverage is smooth. Pour a serving of the frozen hot chocolate into a glass and garnish with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Recipe Tips and Advice

Storage – Store the leftover frozen hot chocolate in a jar or jug in the fridge for the day. The beverage won’t stay frozen for very long, so I recommend drinking it within the day before it melts.

Equipment – For this recipe you’ll need a blender and a few serving glasses. Ninja makes an awesome blender for drinks like this.

Recipe Upgrades – There are so many ways you can customize this recipe to make it your own! You can use peppermint flavored hot cocoa mix as well as adding a small dash of peppermint extract to the blender for a minty touch. You can also add caramel syrup to the blender and on top for an extra sweet kick. Maybe you need a morning pick me up? You can add a shot of chilled espresso and leave out a 1/4 a cup of chocolate milk and top it with chocolate covered espresso beans!

I Can’t Drink That Much! – No worries, If you’re only making a glass for yourself, this recipe can be easily cut in half and made in a smaller blender. If you’re entertaining a crowd, this recipe doubles easily as well.

Ice Cream Maker Variation – My original version of this recipe was made in an ice cream maker. It’s delicious and super creamy, but I’ve updated this recipe to use a blender, which more people have. However if you do have an ice cream maker, I recommend trying my Ice Cream Maker Frozen Hot Chocolate. You’ll find the recipe, in a blue box, just below the recipe card below. Just scroll down.

Recipe FAQs

More Recipes To Try

Hot chocolate doesn’t have to be strictly for the winter months! Here are some more amazing hot chocolate recipes you can make all year round.

• Crockpot Hot Chocolate
• Hot Chocolate Cookies
• Hot Chocolate Charcuterie Board
• Hot Chocolate Brownie Cups
• Hot Chocolate Pancakes
• Peppermint Hot Chocolate
• Chocolate Malt Milkshake

Frozen Hot Chocolate

*Ice Cream Maker VARIATION*

If you want your frozen hot chocolate to be a bit creamier and more similar to ice cream or a milkshake, Here is my original (2011) Frozen Hot Chocolate recipe that was made in an ice cream maker. It’s incredibly creamy and delicious! I love this recipe, but know many of you don’t have an ice cream maker, thus why I’ve updated this recipe to use a blender.

Ingredients

• 5 Packets Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa (Approximately 10 tablespoons)
• 3 Cups Whole Milk or Chocolate Milk
• 1 Cup Half And Half
• Whipping cream mini chocolate chips and marshmallows optional, but delicious.

Instructions

• Mix your milk, half and half and Swiss Miss Hot Cocoa in a large bowl with a whisk, stirring until well combined. It will have a bit of texture to it, and that is just fine. Once prepared, pour into a 1 1/2 quart ice cream maker (other sizes will work as well), and run ice cream maker according to manufacturer’s directions for approximately 20 minutes. Scoop into cups, top with whipped cream and your favorite toppings, grab a straw and enjoy! Makes four one cup servings.