✔ Updated · step photos, real-chocolate method and easy swaps
Frozen hot chocolate is rich hot cocoa blended with ice into a thick, frosty chocolate slush. My version starts with real melted chocolate, so it tastes deep and chocolaty instead of watery.
At a glance
The one tip that matters: Melt the chocolate into a little hot milk first and let it cool. Cold milk poured onto chopped chocolate leaves gritty flecks; a smooth chocolate base blends silky.
Why You'll Love This Frozen Hot Chocolate
- Real chocolate flavor, from melted chocolate plus cocoa, not just a packet.
- Thick and spoonable, like a chocolate milkshake without the ice cream.
- Ten minutes, one blender and a handful of ingredients.
What Is Frozen Hot Chocolate?
It's exactly what it sounds like: a proper hot chocolate base, cooled and blended with ice into a thick, frosty drink. The idea was made famous by Serendipity 3 in New York, and it's been a summer favorite ever since.
If you love blended chocolate drinks, try my mocha Frappuccino copycat or a chocolate milkshake with ice cream. For cold winter nights, the peppermint hot chocolate is the cozy version.
Step-by-Step Photos
Here's how it comes together. Exact amounts, times and temperatures are in the recipe card below.
Tips for Success
- Chill your glasses. Ten minutes in the freezer keeps the slush thick for longer.
- Use good chocolate. It's the main flavor. A 60% dark chocolate bar gives a deep, not-too-sweet drink; milk chocolate makes it sweeter and milder.
- Not thick enough? Add more ice, a handful at a time. Too thick to blend? Add milk a tablespoon at a time.
- Shortcut version. Swap the chocolate, cocoa and sugar for 1/2 cup of hot cocoa mix dissolved in the warm milk. It's sweeter and lighter, but still a treat.
- Kid-approved. Lucy is in charge of the chocolate shavings when we make these, and somehow more end up in her mouth than on the glasses.
Frozen Hot Chocolate
2
servings10
minutes3
minutes390
kcal13
minutesA thick, frosty frozen hot chocolate made with melted semisweet chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and milk, blended with ice until slushy and topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Ingredients
- For the frozen hot chocolate
3 oz semisweet or dark chocolate, finely chopped
1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 1/2 cups whole milk, divided
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
3 cups ice cubes
- For the whipped cream
1/2 cup cold heavy cream
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon chocolate shavings, to garnish
Directions
- Make the chocolate base
- Warm 1/2 cup of the milk in a small saucepan over low heat until steaming, not boiling. Add the chopped chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar and salt and whisk for 1 to 2 minutes until completely smooth.
- Remove from the heat, whisk in the vanilla and the remaining 1 cup of cold milk. Let it cool to room temperature, about 10 minutes (or chill it if you have time).
- Blend and serve
- Add the cooled chocolate mixture and the ice to a blender.
- Blend on low for 15 seconds, then on high for 30 to 60 seconds until thick and smooth, with no chunks of ice left. Add a splash of milk if it’s too thick to blend.
- For the whipped cream, beat the cold cream with the powdered sugar and vanilla until soft peaks form, 2 to 3 minutes.
- Pour into 2 chilled glasses, top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings and serve right away with a spoon and a straw.
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Flavor Twists
- Peppermint: add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract and top with crushed candy canes.
- Peanut butter: blend in 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter.
- Mocha: add a cooled shot of espresso (note: this adds caffeine).
- Banana: swap 1 cup of the ice for a frozen banana for a creamier slush.
- S'mores: top with toasted mini marshmallows and crushed graham crackers.
- Homemade whipped cream: my Starbucks-style vanilla whipped cream is perfect on top.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Starbucks have a frozen hot chocolate?
Starbucks doesn't list a drink called frozen hot chocolate on its standard US menu. The closest is the Double Chocolaty Chip Creme Frappuccino, a blended chocolate drink with chocolate chips. Menus change by store and season, so check the Starbucks app for what's available near you.
What is the difference between frozen hot chocolate and a chocolate milkshake?
A milkshake is made with ice cream, so it's richer and creamier. Frozen hot chocolate is made with a cooked chocolate base, milk and ice, so it's lighter, icier and tastes more like a cold, slushy cup of cocoa.
Can I make frozen hot chocolate with hot cocoa mix?
Yes. Dissolve 1/2 cup of hot cocoa mix in 1/2 cup of warm milk, add 1 cup of cold milk, then blend with 3 cups of ice. It's quick and sweet, though less rich than the real-chocolate version.
Can I make it dairy-free?
Use a dairy-free dark chocolate and a creamy plant milk such as oat or soy, and top it with whipped coconut cream. Oat milk gives the creamiest texture.
Can I make it ahead?
Make the chocolate base up to 3 days ahead and keep it in the fridge. Blend with ice just before serving; once blended, the drink melts and separates within about 15 minutes.
