Easy to Make, 5-Ingredient (Non-Dairy) Hot Chocolate
- Yasmine Luong
- Dec 10, 2023
- 3 min read
It's finally the winter holiday season! What's the best way to enjoy it?
Hot Chocolate.


Not bad! –Meilee, my sister (high praise from her)
Winter has always been my favorite time of the year. The air is chilly and crisp, wind whipping your hair, as you watch the orange-red tinged landscape descend into an ethereal wonderland of snowflakes and darkening indigo skies. For fellow students, like me, there is this vast time of waiting, searching for the relaxation of winter break, an oasis that appears far away, yet represents something magical (or perhaps nostalgic for the wide-eyed wonder of Christmas as a kid). My first memories of winter break are from first grade, where I would spend my days sledding in the fluffy snow at the nearby neighborhood park. My sister and I would run home, our frost-bitten flushed cheeks and cheeky smiles reflecting our yearning for our favorite winter drink, hot chocolate.
Entering high school and middle school, the magic of winter was never lost, but it did mean less snow angels made in the backyard, less running down to the park to sled, and less hot chocolate cups steaming on our dining room table as we returned from outside. In an attempt to revive these nostalgic winter memories, I decided to make my own spin on hot chocolate (which I consider successful with the reluctant approval of my younger sister).
EASY TO MAKE, FIVE INGREDIENT (NON-DAIRY) HOT CHOCOLATE
1. INGREDIENTS:
The measurements are for one to two people. Adjust the prep accordingly for the amount of servings.
Organic Soy Non-Dairy Beverage (Vanilla Flavored from Kirkland): 3 cups
Syrup or Honey: 1 tsp
Hershey's Cocoa (100% Cacao): 1 tablespoon
Marshmellows
Pure Vanilla Extract: 1/8 tsp
OPTIONAL: Whipped Cream
2. DIRECTIONS:
Your first step should focus on prep of the ingredients. For one to two people, I would use two to three cups of the soy non-dairy beverage. Adjust the amount of Hershey's Cocoa Powder accordingly to the amount of the soy drink (1 tablespoon per three cups). Once you have all your materials gathered go to the next step.
Heat a saucepan on your stovetop on medium heat with the soy non-dairy beverage.

3. While it is heating, add your 1/8 tsp of pure vanilla extract. Stir the beverage with a spoon or spatula.

4. When the liquid reaches a boil, stir in your tablespoon of Hershey's Cocoa gradually. Pour a little in at a time and stir continuously, lowering the heat to medium or low.

5. When all of the cocoa is incorporated evenly and there are few clumps, add the teaspoon of syrup or honey, if more sweetener is desired.

6. Pour the drink into a festive holiday cup of your choosing. Add whipped cream and marshmellows for decoration, more yum factor, and more festivity.

7. Take a sip of your hot cocoa and pat yourself on the back for hopefully not burning anything.

3. ENJOY:
Thanks for reading! As always, enjoy your foodie adventures and hopefully this recipe was helpful. The holiday season is a wonderful time to rejoice with family and friends, sharing recipes and exchanging stories over tables piled high with food. Hot Cocoa is one of the most festive drinks of winter, bringing up memories of childhood joy and the unadulterated wonder of the season of falling snow. Bundle up in cozy sweaters and blankets, sit by the fireplace, and drink your hot chocolate, each sip a reminder of the childhood nostalgia of wintertime.
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