Hot Chocolate without Milk

Dairy free hot chocolate is made without milk and is perfect for when the weather turns cold and rainy or crisp and snowy. This recipe is very simple and uses cocoa instead of melted chocolate for ease.

I love hot chocolate. Every time I go out to a cafe with friends they order a coffee and I order cocoa.

In Israel, this means a cup of hot milk with part of a melted bar of chocolate at the bottom.

Since hot chocolate has spread throughout the world, it has a number variations.

Some are thicker, others sweeter, some use melted chocolate, while others use cocoa.

Any way you like it, it's a wonderful winter drink, and this dairy free hot chocolate is made without milk, so it can be enjoyed by everyone!

History of Hot Chocolate

The first chocolate drink was created by the Mayans around 2,500–3,000 years ago. It was served cold and made of cocoa seeds ground into a paste, then mixed with water, cornmeal, chili peppers, and more.

The Aztecs used a cocoa drink as an essential part of their culture. This version was also served cold and was said to be flavored with vanilla and other spices.

Europeans' first recorded contact with chocolate wasn't until 1502 on Columbus's fourth voyage.

Later, Spaniards came the New World in what is now Mexico where they were introduced to the chocolate drink. They brought the drink back to Europe where it became extremely popular with the upper class.

At the time, chocolate was very expensive because the beans were grown in South America and imported to Europe.

In fact, it was so expensive that cocoa was even given as a dowry when members of the Spanish Royal Family married other European aristocrats.

By the 1600's, sugar was added and cocoa was considered a luxury item among the nobility throughout Europe. At the time, spices were still a common addition to the drink and they soon found adding milk made it more palatable.

The aristocratic nature of the drink led to chocolate being referred to as "the drink of the gods." Even when it became a little more accessible to the masses when the first Chocolate House was opened in 1657, chocolate was still very expensive.

Hot chocolate has even been used as medicine until the 1800's.

They may have been on to something though, since today, there are discussions that it's abundant in antioxidants.

Which dairy free milk should I use?

You can use any dairy free milk such as coconut milk, oat milk, or a combination.

Almond Milk Hot Chocolate is probably the most popular, but make sure to use the barista version for a more milk like texture.

Choosing your Brand

I have tried a handful of oat milk brands and I can tell you, not all oat milks are created equal.

Some brands taste like oats and have the consistency of water. Other brands have a milder taste and are slightly reminiscent of milk. Oatly and Alpro are my two go-to brands.

When I visit New York, I really like Oatly, which I find to taste like regular milk and to be a little extra creamy. I'd assume this is true in Canada too.

In Israel, I only use the barista version of Oatly, which is still more watery than the regular Oatly in the States. I expect it is the same in Europe because that is where it is imported from.

For Israel and Europe, I find the Alpro oat milk indistinguishable from the Oatly Barista. However, the Alpro "Not Milk" oat milk I find to be almost identical to milk but a little sweeter - which I like.

Why is there salt?

Salt really brings out the flavor in other things such as sugar. If you're on a no sodium diet, you can leave it out. However, if not, it's best to add it.

Other R