Sugar Free Hot Chocolate With Almond Milk
This sugar-free hot chocolate with almond milk is rich, chocolatey, and ready in about 10 minutes. Unsweetened cocoa powder and almond milk create the base, while a 1:1 sugar-free sweetener adds sweetness without maple syrup or honey.
The recipe makes one cozy mug and is easy to adjust. Add sugar-free chocolate chips for a richer drink, or leave them out for a lighter cup.
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A Quick Look At The Recipe
- Recipe: Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate With Almond Milk
- Servings: 1 mug
- Ready in: 10 minutes
- Main ingredients: Unsweetened almond milk, cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, and vanilla
- Why you’ll love it: It is quick, chocolatey, and easy to adjust to your preferred sweetness. The base recipe is dairy-free, and coconut cream can be used for a dairy-free topping.
Can You Make Hot Chocolate With Almond Milk?
Yes. Unsweetened almond milk works well in homemade hot chocolate. It creates a lighter drink than dairy milk but still has a smooth texture when heated gently.
Keep the heat at medium-low and do not let the almond milk boil. Boiling can affect its texture. If you prefer a richer cup, whisk in one tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate chips.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- Unsweetened almond milk: Check the label and choose a variety with no added sugar.
- Unsweetened cocoa powder: This provides the chocolate flavor without adding sugar.
- Sugar-free sweetener: Use a granulated monk fruit sweetener blend that measures one-for-one like sugar. Sweetener strength varies, so check the package before measuring.
- Vanilla extract: A small amount softens the cocoa’s bitterness and rounds out the flavor.
- Sugar-free chocolate chips: These are optional, but they make the hot chocolate richer and slightly thicker. Check the label because regular dark chocolate chips usually contain sugar.
- Heavy whipping cream: This is optional, but it creates the thick whipped topping shown in the photos. Sweeten it with powdered monk fruit and add a little vanilla. For a dairy-free topping, use the thick cream from a chilled can of full-fat coconut milk.
How to Make Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate
1. Make a smooth cocoa mixture
Add the cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, and about 2 tablespoons of the almond milk to a small saucepan. Whisk until the mixture is smooth. Making this paste first helps prevent dry cocoa lumps.
2. Add the remaining almond milk
Slowly pour in the rest of the almond milk while whisking. Heat over medium-low heat for 4–6 minutes, whisking often, until the drink is hot and steaming. Do not let it boil.
3. Add the optional chocolate
If using sugar-free chocolate chips, add them to the saucepan. Whisk for 1–2 minutes, or until completely melted.
4. Finish and serve
Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla. Taste carefully and add more sweetener if needed. Pour the hot chocolate into a mug and serve immediately.
How to Keep This Hot Chocolate Sugar-Free
Use unsweetened almond milk, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a sweetener labeled sugar-free. If you add chocolate chips, whipped cream, syrup, or other toppings, check each label because many regular versions contain added sugar.
You can sweeten the drink with maple syrup or honey if you prefer, but that version is naturally sweetened rather than sugar-free.
Optional Sugar-Free Whipped Topping
To make the whipped topping shown in the photos, combine ¼ cup (60 ml) cold heavy whipping cream, 1 teaspoon powdered 1:1 monk fruit sweetener, and ⅛ teaspoon vanilla extract. Whip until soft peaks form.
For a sugar-free chocolate drizzle, melt 1 tablespoon (14 g) sugar-free chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon almond milk. Let it cool slightly before drizzling it over the whipped cream.
This makes enough topping for about two mugs. For a dairy-free version, replace the heavy whipping cream with chilled coconut cream.
Tips for the Best Hot Chocolate
- Serve the hot chocolate immediately while it is smooth and hot.
- Start with a small amount of sweetener. You can always add more after tasting.
- Whisk the cocoa with a little milk before adding the remaining milk. This helps prevent lumps.
- Heat the almond milk gently. It should be steaming but not boiling.
- For a richer texture, add one tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate chips.
Simple Variations
Naturally sweetened: Replace the sugar-free sweetener with maple syrup or honey. Remember that this version is not sugar-free.
Extra chocolatey: Melt one tablespoon of sugar-free chocolate chips into the drink.
Vanilla almond hot chocolate: Use unsweetened vanilla almond milk and reduce the vanilla extract slightly.
Warmly spiced: Whisk in a small pinch of cinnamon before heating.
More Homemade Café Drinks
If you enjoy making coffee-shop drinks at home, try this Starbucks-style London Fog latte, a refreshing homemade iced cinnamon dolce latte, or this colorful strawberry acai refresher.
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Sugar-Free Hot Chocolate With Almond Milk
Equipment
- Small saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 cup 240 ml unsweetened almond milk
- 2 tablespoons 10 g unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon 1:1 granulated monk fruit sweetener blend plus more to taste
- ½ teaspoon 2.5 ml vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon 14 g sugar-free chocolate chips, optional
Optional topping
- ¼ cup 60 ml cold heavy whipping cream
- 1 teaspoon powdered 1:1 monk fruit sweetener
- â…› teaspoon vanilla extract
Optional chocolate drizzle
- 1 tablespoon 14 g sugar-free chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon 5 ml unsweetened almond milk
Instructions
- Add the cocoa powder, sugar-free sweetener, and about 2 tablespoons of the almond milk to a small saucepan. Whisk until smooth.
- Gradually whisk in the remaining almond milk.
- Heat over medium-low heat for 4–6 minutes, whisking often, until hot and steaming. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
- If using sugar-free chocolate chips, add them and whisk for another 1–2 minutes, or until melted.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
- Taste and add more sweetener if needed. Pour into a mug, add any sugar-free toppings, and serve immediately.
Optional topping
- To make the optional topping, whip the cold heavy cream, powdered monk fruit sweetener, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
- For the chocolate drizzle, combine the sugar-free chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of almond milk in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 10-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until smooth. Let it cool slightly, then drizzle it over the whipped cream.
Notes
- Sweetener brands vary in strength. This recipe uses a granulated monk fruit blend that measures one-for-one like sugar.
- Check the labels on the almond milk, chocolate chips, and toppings if you need the finished drink to remain sugar-free.
- Maple syrup and honey can be used instead, but they will make the drink naturally sweetened rather than sugar-free.
- Heat almond milk gently. Boiling can change its texture.
- The optional chocolate chips create a richer and slightly thicker drink.
- The optional whipped topping and chocolate drizzle are not included in the nutrition calculation. Use chilled coconut cream instead of heavy whipping cream if you need the finished drink to remain dairy-free.
- The optional whipped topping makes enough for approximately two mugs.