Paleo Hot Cocoa

Hot cocoa made with cocoa powder and maple syrup. Mix with coconut milk, almond milk, or any other milk of your choice. Paleo, dairy-free, and vegan.

By
Sabrina Modelle
Sabrina Modelle
Sabrina has been a professional recipe developer for ten years and has been published in magazines and newspapers from California to Tel Aviv.
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Updated March 16, 2022
Paleo Hot Cocoa
Sabrina Modelle

Hot cocoa may be the most comforting beverage of all time. And while I have fond childhood memories of packets of hot cocoa with tiny hard marshmallows, my taste in hot chocolate has become slightly more sophisticated as an adult.

This Paleo hot chocolate is high on the cocoa content, lower on sugar. It’s sweetened with dark amber maple syrup and gets a flavor boost from espresso powder.

Make a double batch of the cocoa syrup base and store it in the fridge so you can have truly great hot chocolate in the time it takes to heat up some milk!

Paleo Hot Cocoa
Sabrina Modelle

For the milk component of this hot chocolate, use any type you like. For a rich vegan version, try full fat coconut milk. It’s also excellent with hazelnut, cashew, or almond milk. It also works beautifully with full fat or low fat dairy milk.

Paleo Hot Cocoa
Sabrina Modelle

Add as much or as little of the chocolate syrup as you like. I generally add about two tablespoons (one ounce) of syrup for every cup (8 ounces) of milk. With this ratio, you’ll end up with a mug of hot cocoa that’s not cloyingly sweet.

Though there are no tiny marshmallows, you can treat yourself to a dollop of whipped cream and some finely chopped chocolate on top. Drink it on the couch with a cozy blanket and a good book!

Paleo Hot Cocoa

Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 15 mins
Serving 1 serving
Yield 1 cup

Ingredients

For the chocolate syrup:

  • 1/3 cup water

  • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

  • Pinch salt

  • 1/2 cup maple syrup

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla

  • 1/2 tablespoon espresso powder, optional

To serve:

  • 1 cup milk per person (like coconut milk, almond milk, dairy milk, or other favorite milk)

  • Sweetener of your choice, like maple syrup or honey, optional

  • Coconut whipped cream, optional

  • Dark chocolate shavings, optional

Method

  1. Boil the water:

    Bring the water to a boil in the microwave or on the stovetop.

  2. Make the cocoa syrup:

    Place the cocoa powder and salt in a heat-proof bowl and pour the boiling water over top. Whisk until combined. Let sit five minutes. Add the maple syrup, vanilla, and espresso powder. Stir to combine.

    The syrup is ready to use immediately, or let it cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate. This chocolate syrup will last in the fridge for several weeks.

    Paleo Hot Cocoa
    Sabrina Modelle
    Paleo Hot Cocoa
    Sabrina Modelle
    Paleo Hot Cocoa
    Sabrina Modelle
    Paleo Hot Cocoa
    Sabrina Modelle
  3. Make the cocoa:

    Warm the milk (1 cup or so per person) in the microwave or on the stovetop. Transfer to a mug and stir in 2 tablespoons of syrup per cup. Taste and add additional syrup or sweetener if desired.

    Paleo Hot Cocoa
    Sabrina Modelle
Paleo Hot Cocoa
Sabrina Modelle
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
206 Calories
5g Fat
30g Carbs
9g Protein
Show Full Nutrition Label Hide Full Nutrition Label
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 206
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Cholesterol 20mg 7%
Sodium 138mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 30g 11%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 27g
Protein 9g
Vitamin C 0mg 2%
Calcium 318mg 24%
Iron 2mg 8%
Potassium 395mg 8%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.