Easy 3-Ingredient Frozen Hot Chocolate
Insanely delicious and easy, this frozen hot chocolate is perfect for hot summer months when drinking hot chocolate would be, well, insane.
I have a super quick and simple recipe for you today!
If it’s blazing hot where you live AND you have lingering hot chocolate mix from the winter months hanging around, you’ll want to take note.
Frozen hot chocolate is one of my favorite, favorite, FAVORITE summer treats to enjoy.
Three ingredients, it is a dump and blend recipe, which means it can be yours in less than 10 minutes. Way less, actually. (Let’s have a contest who can make it the fastest! That’d be fun.)
And it is crazy delicious.
If you’ve never had frozen hot chocolate, it is an icy, chocolatey treat (not creamy like a milkshake).
And although it sounds kind of redundant and obvious…it really is like classic hot chocolate in cold, blended form.
I have an ancient frozen hot chocolate (read: scary looking photos) recipe in the archives, but it is gathering dust, because the version I’m posting today has been our go-to for a long while, thanks to being so much easier and faster.
I’ve given several notes below in the recipe about what brand of hot chocolate mix I use (I’ve tried it with this popular homemade mix too!), and why I prefer chocolate milk (dark chocolate almond milk, to be exact), among other things.
Ultimately, it’s not rocket science! It’s just delicious frozen hot chocolate. Such a fun, tasty summer treat!
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Two Years Ago: Smashed Yukon Gold Potato Salad
Three Years Ago: Ginger Ale Mint Limeade
Four Years Ago: Brown Sugar Rhubarb Muffins with A Little Bit of Streusel On Top
Five Years Ago: Thin and Crispy Oatmeal Cookies
Easy 3-Ingredient Frozen Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups chocolate milk (see note)
- 1 cup (142 to 170 g) dry hot chocolate mix, flavor and brand of choice (see note)
- 3-4 cups cubed ice (see note)
- Whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles or shavings, for garnish, if desired
Instructions
- Add the milk, hot chocolate mix and ice, in the order listed, to a blender and process until smooth.
- Pour into glasses and top with whipped cream and chocolate shaving/sprinkles, if desired.
Notes
Recommended Products
Recipe Source: from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe
98 Comments on “Easy 3-Ingredient Frozen Hot Chocolate”
It’s so good
So easy and delicious!
Awesome recipe… Delicious
Very good! If you use chocolate milk, maybe half a cup less of hot chocolate powder. Delicous!
Hey Mel, have you ever made this and added instant coffee to turn it into a mocha? I’m recently obsessed with frozen mochas and wondering if this would be similar? I hate hot coffee, but def need the extra jolt of caffeine as I have a 2 year old and a newborn lol
Hi Meghan, I haven’t tried that but it’s definitely worth a try!
WOW this is amazing its like a booster for my day
Outstanding! My son asks for hot chocolate all year round. This is the perfect summer substitute! My kids are all thrilled and I am over the moon with the amount of mowing, laundry-folding, and other chores I was able to bribe them to do! Ha! A new favorite for sure (both as a treat and as a bargaining chip! )!
First frozen hot chocolate recipe I’ve ever tried. Can’t beat 3 ingredients! My kids and I all loved it! I can’t have a lot of dairy right now because of reflux in my infant twins so this was the perfect solution! Still so creamy and delicious. Thanks!
My daughter requests this every week!
I just made this and I’m in heaven. I can’t believe I’ve never made it before! So so yummy and I love the icy texture!
My favorite hot chocolate mix, by far, is Trader Joe’s Sipping Chocolate! It’s a BIG upgrade on the usual hot chocolate mixes, but TJ’s usually only stocks/sells it on the approach (Oct/Nov) to the holiday season, and they often run out of it quickly too! If you can snag some little cans of that as the winter holidays approach, you MUST try it!!!! It’s so rich and chocolaty that I tend to use a bit over half of the directed amount when making it hot. I’m not sure how it would work for frozen hot chocolate, but I have made it as hot chocolate and frozen it into ice cubes to add to smoothies (chocolate-peanut butter) and it seemed to work ok. I’ve used whole milk when making it hot, but I’d imagine it would work just as well made with almond milk too. It is decadently delicious, so if you haven’t had it, it’s definitely worth a try! I like to keep a generous stash of it on hand year-round—It’s THAT good! (I’ve also given it as a bonus little Christmas gift and used it as a stocking-stuffer gift too.)
Can you use normal milk instead of chocolate milk
It won’t be as chocolate-y with regular milk, so I’d suggest using chocolate milk
it was really good
I’ve tried to prepare it in advance and use it in the morning but doesn’t work. Any suggestions?
Hi Allison – are you saying you blend everything up and refrigerate overnight? I do think this is best served right away otherwise the blended ice will melt leaving it kind of watery and not as thick.
Mel, this looks amazing and easy and I really want to try it! But I have a question about the pictures because they look so beautiful – what are those round chocolate balls you put on top? They are so cute but don’t look quite like mini chocolate chips so I was curious!
Hi Laura, those are some crunchy chocolate sprinkles my brother sent me for my birthday. I think he sent me these ones: https://www.amazon.com/Callebaut-Milk-Chocolate-Crispearls/dp/B011ABNX9W/ref=sr_1_7?dchild=1&keywords=crunchy+chocolate+balls&qid=1602606223&sr=8-7
Oh yum! Thank you so much!
It’s not three ingredients, it’s three items. That hot chocolate mix is loaded with a bunch of ingredients.
Are you for real?
I made an account just to say how boring you must be at parties. Get over it.
I made an account just to say how hard I laughed at Sarah’s comment!
Theres also a different way that I do it, first, I put my ice in, then milk, then cocoa powder and sugar.
(btw this is my own recipe.)
I made something like this a few years ago from the swiss miss recipie and tried finding it again. I’m originally from WI and over the winter we bought 2 big tins of swiss miss from Sam’s club. We just moved to TN and I was like “man, what an I going to do with this tin?”. I love it and so does my cat, Muffinz.
Would this recipe work frozen like popsicles, too?
I haven’t tried it, but I think it would be yummy!
Do this recipe but put extra ice in, then freeze it.
L when you say one cup of dry hot chocolate mix is that combining mixes or is that what it would be prepared
Just made this for a dessert and the kids loved it. Super easy to make and they love it so much.
My kids thought this sounded disgusting. Then they tried it and begged for more. We just have hot chocolate mix with mini marshmallows so we used that. They blended up so there were no chunks. Yummm.
Yum! This was even better than I thought it would be – not that I’d doubt a Mel recipe 🙂 I like it even more than hot hot chocolate. Was a big hit with all the neighbourhood kids on a hot day. And SO easy. Thanks!
Made it tonight for my three kiddos, 7 year old and twin 5 year olds. I didn’t tell them what it was, just told them to taste it. (They are very trusting of their mama.) One of the 5 year olds said “it taste like hot chocolate”. Bullseye!
They all loved it, including me.
I used a local dairies chocolate milk along with Stephens brand hot chocolate.
I’m glad you all loved it! What a fun treat for your kiddos :).
Delicious! So quick! Love it!
So tasty! I used the silk dark chocolate almond milk (so delicious on its own!) and then Kroger’s cheap “Pssst!” brand of cocoa mix. It was delish! I’m sure with a higher quality cocoa mix it would only improve. I’m going to try that heavy cream addition next time. Thanks!
This was so good! My 6 year old picked it as her dessert to make this week and she could do a lot of it herself. We used Swiss Miss mix since it was the only mix our grocery store had that wasn’t in packets. We’ll definitely make this again!
YUM! Made it with a peppermint hot chocolate left over from Christmas, because it was all we had. Very refreshing, and sated my chocolate craving. But OH MY the brain freeze!
So delicious!
I made this with exactly the ingredients you described, and loved how easy a treat it was! Personally I thought it tasted a little too much like hot chocolate mix. I might use regular almond milk next time, or add a bit less hot chocolate mix. I did like the texture, though. But I might be pickier than normal – my kids and husband loved it! Myself, I look forward to playing around with the recipe 🙂
Well, lets see, saw the frozen hot chocolate. Made the frozen hot chocolate. Haven’t stopped making the frozen hot chocolate. Perfect drink for an Arizona summer day. I’ve seen many frozen hot chocolate recipes and they were complicated! This is too easy and quick to keep my waist line from expanding. THANK YOU MEL!!!
Haha, I love this. 🙂
I saw this recipe a week before my son was scheduled to have his tonsils out and I bookmarked it. I purchased the ingredients and made it for him. He loved it !! It is cool and soothes his throat. He likes this more than popsicles. Thank you for such and easy and delicious recipe.
Glad this soothed the poor kid’s throat – hope he has a speedy recovery! Tonsillectomies are no joke!
So yummy and easy! I was so happy to find the dark chocolate almond milk at the store, I never noticed it before. I used popsicle molds instead of cups
Oh Mel! We made this 3 times this week! My kids always laugh and the contradiction of frozen and hot but it’s our favorite summer treat. I found a recipe on Good Morning America a few years ago that is wonderful, but I love the simplicity of this. It’s quick and easy. If you make it 3 times in 1 week, it needs to be quick and easy. We love the mini chocolate chips on top, but milkshake straws are the only way to go if you have mini chips. They are thick straws, double or triple the size of regular straws. I found them at Smith’s (Kroger). Thanks for sharing this. I would love more frozen summer blended drink recipes!
So happy you are loving this, Megan! I’ll have to look for those milkshake straws!
This was delicious. Kids loved it!!
Awesome!
Lordy, Lordy Mel….Where have I been all my life to have missed the “frozen hot chocolate train”? And….I live in UTAH. Wow, is all I can say. Made with the chocolate almond milk and Stevens mint chocolate…….
Thanks for making me the “best grandma ever!
Yum! Mint! Glad this was a hit with the grandkiddos, LeAnn!
We made this tonight and it was so refreshing! I followed your advice and made it with the Silk Chocolate almond milk. Loved it! Thank you.
Thanks, Gen!
Apparently, my Vitamix is too powerful. LOL. I processed it too long, and instead of those yummy little chunks of ice like Serendipity 3, I ended up with the consistency of a Wendy’s Frosty. Still totally delicious!
Next time, I’m trying half the time.
This was a HIT!!!!
Yessss!
Do you think this would work in a food processor? My blender died and I need to make this… 🙂
It may not be quite as smooth, but I’d say it is worth a try!
This was so easy and delicious! We all loved it. Super yum. It will definitely be on repeat this summer.
Thanks, Christina!
Oops. I meant when I go to see my Utah relatives I always make sure to pick some up. I get funny looks buying it .
This sounds yummy. I love the Stephens brand of Cocoa mix. Unfortunately they don’t carry it where I live in Missouri. I do however when I go in the Summertime try to get a canister or 2.
Made this today for my kiddos and we all thought it tasted like a Wendy’s Frosty! I added a scoop of unflavored protein powder also. It was a great treat on this humid East coast summer day! Thanks for sharing!
Protein powder = great idea!
Just made this for the kids because we are sweltering here and it was a HUGE hit. So well timed that you posted this today and SO glad I had all the ingredients on hand! I snuck a taste for myself and it’s amazing!! Thanks Mel!
Thanks, Deb!
A great tasting treat. Kids loved it. Added a tsp of choc sauce to make it chocolatelier.
Thanks for checking back in to let me know how it turned out, Sarah!
I made this with chocolate Almond milk. I am sensitive to whey, so this was a lifesaver. Flavored it with Hershey’s chocolate syrup and ice. Topped with non dairy topping and chocolate curls! Fantastic.
That’s awesome, Lydia!
It’s a million percent humidity today and these were just what we needed! Plus, this recipe is so much easier than others I’ve tried! I’ll definitely make them again!
Also, this was a great way to use up the mismatched hot chocolate packets that were languishing in my cupboard!
Yay, Becky! Glad it was perfect for that hot humid day.
I’d never even heard of frozen hot chocolate before, but I do have mix languishing in ny pantry. My girls and i will be trying this out for sure!
I’ve never tried frozen hot chocolate. In fact I never really knew what it was until this little post came along today. The name always confused me in the past- “how can something be frozen and hot at the same time?” Now I get it! 🙂 And it looks like the perfect quick summer treat. I’m excited to try it. 🙂 PS I love love simple recipes. Thanks for posting.
Thanks, Trish!
question: does the hot chocolate crystals melt? i am so sure i tried this a few years ago for my kids and it just tasted gritty.
I am wondering if i should heat up a little milk first to disolve the crystals and then add the milk and ice.
Hey Susan – I’ve found the grittiness is largely dependent on the brand of hot cocoa mix, but ultimately, it does have a tiny “dry mix” texture to it due to the hot cocoa mix. The longer I blend, the better I feel about that.
Oooh, that’s a good idea! I’ve wondered the same thing about the texture. If you end up doing it this way, please check back in and let us know how it works. I might try out today, too. 🙂
This just made me incredibly happy! I have a favorite place that sells frozen hot chocolate at our summer vacation spot … and this rivals it. Dangerous to now know I can make it myself!!
I made it with leftover homemade hot chocolate mix, plain white milk, 4c ice, and added 1/2 c heavy cream into it instead of whipped cream on top. Heaven. I will be making hot chocolate mix all summer JUST to drink this. Thank you, Mel.
Sounds amazing, Meghan!
Love the heavy cream addition, Meg!
*just* the right touch to make it even naughtier…
I just made the older version a couple of weeks ago. I’m so excited for this updated version! It will definitely be a staple this hot summer. Thank you so much!
You’re a saint, Mel! A straight up saint!!!! A couple of years ago, my body decided it’s no longer on team “Digest Dairy Like A Normal Person” and I had to give up frozen hot chocolate. One of my favorite summertime treats! This is TOTALLY adaptable to be dairy free, and so dang simple I’m kind of mad I didn’t think of it first.
Thank you!!!
Hi Sandi. What brand of hot chocolate mix do you use that is dairy free? I’ve had a hard time finding one. Thanks!
Carob powder is vegan and they make carob hot chocolate powders, though they are hard to find. I have also found a ghirardelli dark chocolate hot cocoa powder before that was non dairy. Good luck!
Thanks Rachel!
Ghirardelli has a dairy free hot chocolate. I get it at Walmart 🙂
Thanks Jen!
It is blazing hot where we live for sure! And what great timing because my husband and I were just talking about these amazing frozen hot chocolates we had at this vacation spot called Holiday World and that we can’t wait to go back to have some! Love an at home option!
Thanks for the recipe! Now my granddaughter and I can have our hot chocolate fix year-round. She likes a little hot chocolate with her mini-marshmallows! She will have to eat the marshmallows on the side with her frozen hot chocolate. Thanks!
My kids and I just made this for a little breakfast dessert (breakfast of champions…), and everyone loved it! Thanks!!
Haha, loved this.
Haha, I’m halfway through my pregnancy and a “breakfast dessert” sounds like exactly what I need!
Looks delicious! I haven’t heard of the hot cocoa mix brands you’ve used. Have you used Nestle or Swiss Miss? Since it is so easy to make, I could really give it a try and see how it tastes. This is a recipe that if it doesn’t tastes great, it’s no biggie since time and cost aren’t really a factor. Love so many of your recipes!
I haven’t used those brands, but honestly, I think they would work just fine, especially if you like the hot cocoa made from those mixes.
I made it with Swiss Miss and it was DELICIOUS!!!