The Best Homemade Chocolate Milk

Way better than Nestle’s and way cheaper than buying a jug of chocolate milk at the store.

Homemade Chocolate Milk- The Ingredients

• 1 cup milk (whole milk for extra creaminess, but any kind works!)
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder (cocoa powder is more common, but cacao powder offers a more intense chocolate flavor. Cacao powder also boasts more antioxidants and minerals because it is less processed.)
• Maple Syrup (to taste! Real maple syrup is key, ditch the fake stuff made of corn syrup)
• Pinch of sea salt (optional, but it really enhances the chocolate flavor. It also enhances hydration due to the minerals present in sea salt)

Tip: Want to make a bigger batch? Just multiply the recipe! This recipe easily scales up for a crowd.

The Perks of Going Homemade

• Save Money: This recipe is a fraction of the cost of store-bought chocolate milk.
• Control the Ingredients: You know exactly what goes into your drink. No mystery ingredients, artificial flavors, or corn syrup here!
• Customize It! Want it extra chocolaty? Add more cocoa powder! Prefer it less sweet? Use less maple syrup.
• Less Waste: No more bulky cartons taking up space in your fridge.

Health Benefits of Each Ingredient, Broken Down:

Whole Milk

• Strong bones: Rich in nutrients like calcium, vitamin D, potassium and B vitamins, whole milk helps build strong bones and teeth.
• Reduced risk of diabetes and heart disease: Thanks to the essential fatty acids found in whole milk.
• Healthier muscles: Whole milk is a complete protein, containing all nine essential amino acids. Proteins are the building block of life, so consuming them helps your body build and repair itself. Drinking milk is associated with a greater total body muscle mass.

Maximizing the Benefits: Buy organic, A2 A2 milk if possible to make it more digestible and increase the nutritional contents.

Cacao Powder

• Anti Inflammatory: Cacao powder is a champion of antioxidants, particularly flavanols, which combat cell damage and may reduce inflammation, help improve blood flow, and lower blood pressure.
• Minerals: It's a good source of minerals like magnesium, essential for muscle and nerve function, iron for healthy red blood cells, and calcium for strong bones.

Maximizing the Benefits: Look for non-alkalized cacao powder to retain the most nutrients. Pair it with healthy fats like nuts or seeds to enhance absorption of antioxidants.

Maple Syrup

• Antioxidants: Maple syrup contains antioxidants, which can help fight inflammation and may reduce the risk of chronic diseases. Darker grades, like Grade B, have more antioxidants.
• Minerals: It's a source of minerals like manganese and zinc, which play a role in metabolism, immunity, and bone health.

Sea Salt

• Contains minerals which are important for hydration and nutrition. Helps regulate blood pressure.

If you make this chocolate milk, leave a review below to let me know what you think!

Healthy Homemade Chocolate Milk

Delicious, hydrating, nourishing homemade chocolate milk

• 1 cup milk
• 1 Tablespoon cocoa or cacao powder
• Maple Syrup*
• Pinch sea salt (optional)

1. Add the cocoa powder, maple syrup, sea salt, and 1/2 the milk to your glass. Mix with a milk frother, fork, whisk or spoon. Pour in the rest of your milk and stir. Enjoy

*Use a good quality, real maple syrup. Nothing with corn syrup. We get the big jug from Costco. Add to your taste. I usually add 1 to 2 Tablespoons

If you're making a big batch, you can make it directly in the pitcher or jug you’ll store it in.

This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.