Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe

My Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe is going to warm you up right down to your toes.

Made with rich chocolate, creamy milk and a hint of vanilla, it’s the perfect balance of sweet and indulgent. Get ready for some unbelievable chocolatey goodness with this simple Starbucks Recipe.

This post contains affiliate links.

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Copycat Recipe. Get ready for some serious chocolatey goodness! | Mommy Evolution

In our family, we don’t indulge in Starbucks hot chocolate often.

But the one time we get it every year, without fail, is for our town’s downtown tree lighting.

Even when the kids were just toddlers, we would bundle everyone up, get a warm cup of Starbucks hot chocolate, sing Christmas carols with my fellow neighbors and cheer when the tree lights were turned on and the entire town became a Christmas light feast.

This tradition actually started when my husband and I were dating.

BPA Free Plastic Starbucks Cup Personalized Hot Cups with NameBPA Free Plastic Starbucks Cup Personalized Hot Cups with NameBPA Free Plastic Starbucks Cup Personalized Hot Cups with NameStarbucks Personalized - Spring & Summer Starbucks Coffee Travel Mug TumblerStarbucks Personalized – Spring & Summer Starbucks Coffee Travel Mug TumblerStarbucks Personalized - Spring & Summer Starbucks Coffee Travel Mug TumblerPersonalized Starbucks Name Coffee MugPersonalized Starbucks Name Coffee MugPersonalized Starbucks Name Coffee MugPersonalized Starbucks CupPersonalized Starbucks CupPersonalized Starbucks Cup

 

We were living in downtown Chicago at the time.

My condo was just steps from the Lincoln Park Zoo.

I convinced my new boyfriend at the time to go outside, despite the ridiculous cold, to walk through all of the amazing lights of the zoo.

Starbucks Hot Cocoa Copycat Recipe | Mommy Evolution

To entice him to put up with the winds, I presented two cups of Starbucks hot chocolate.

One of my favorite holiday memories is of us riding the carousel in the frigid air, hot chocolate in hand, falling in love.

I still love Starbucks hot chocolate… but I also love making it at home! It’s easy enough to make this copycat Starbucks hot chocolate recipe at home from scratch.

Bosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugBosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugBosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugBosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugBosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugBosmarlin Large Ceramic Coffee MugSeceles 15 Oz Large Ceramic Coffee MugSeceles 15 Oz Large Ceramic Coffee MugSeceles 15 Oz Large Ceramic Coffee MugTsreinh Extra Large Ceramic Coffee MugTsreinh Extra Large Ceramic Coffee MugTsreinh Extra Large Ceramic Coffee Mug

 

And oh my goodness… that chocolatey warmth just can’t be beat on a cold, snowy afternoon.

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe | Mommy Evolution

Where Hot Chocolate From

Hot chocolate has been enjoyed for centuries, but its precise origins are unclear. It is believed to have originated in Mesoamerica, where the indigenous peoples, such as the Aztecs and Mayans, consumed a bitter beverage made from cocoa beans, often seasoned with spices like chili pepper.

The drink was later introduced to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century, where it evolved into the sweetened, creamy beverage we know today.

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Calories

The calorie count for a standard size (16 fl oz) Starbucks hot chocolate ranges from approximately 370 to 450 calories, depending on the specific ingredients and customizations such as type of milk and added syrups or whipped cream.

My Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe has just 324 calories.

Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe Ingredients

When you make this recipe, go the extra step in adding some oomph to the fun. My kids just want some marshmallows swimming on top — or even one huge marshmallow.

(Have you seen the crazy extra large ones… they’re almost bigger than the cup!)

I love topping our cocoa with whipped cream. Toss in some mini chocolate chips, or dip in some homemade chocolate stir sticks, which are deceptively easy to make!

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1½ cup milk (any kind will do)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Peace Love Starbucks ShirtPeace Love Starbucks ShirtPeace Love Starbucks ShirtTaylorTaylorTaylorI Need My Pink DrinkI Need My Pink DrinkI Need My Pink DrinkCoffee Lover ShirtCoffee Lover ShirtCoffee Lover Shirt

 

You can easily make your own Hot Chocolate Stir Sticks to really make it an occasion!

Pair this recipe with Santa Hat Brownies for some holiday fun.

Directions For Starbucks Recipe Hot Chocolate

Add water, cocoa and sugar into a microwave safe bowl and heat for approximately 40 seconds or until warm.

Mix well to create the chocolate syrup.

In process 1

Add milk and vanilla and stir well.

In Process 2

Heat in the microwave for about 60 seconds or until hot.

Serve with whipped cream and chocolate chips or syrup on top.

Enjoy this Starbucks hot chocolate recipe!

More Copycat Recipes

Starbucks Hot Chocolate Copycat Recipe. Get ready for some serious chocolatey goodness!

Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe

Yield: 1
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Get ready for some unbelievable chocolatey goodness! My Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe is going to warm you up right down to your toes.

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • ¼ cup water
  • 1½ cup milk (any kind will do)
  • ¼ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  1. Add water, cocoa and sugar into a microwave safe bowl and heat for approximately 40 seconds or until warm. Mix well to create the chocolate syrup.
  2. Add milk and vanilla and stir well.
  3. Heat in the microwave for about 60 seconds or until hot.
  4. Serve with whipped cream and chocolate chips or syrup on top.

Recommended Products

As an Amazon Associate and member of other affiliate programs, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 324Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 49gFiber: 2gSugar: 44gProtein: 14g

Nutrient values are only estimates provided by online calculators. Various factors can change the nutritional information in any given recipe.

Don’t miss out on our other family friendly recipes!


 

31 Comments

  1. Wow. This looks amazing!
    I also love you continued your tradition with your children

  2. serisblog.com says:

    Well this looks amazing! I am a huge fan of Starbucks copycat recipes. You did a great job with this one!

    – Seri

  3. Ohh, we will be trying this! Perfect for a cold winter day. Thanks for sharing at Snickerdoodle Sunday! Would love it you would come and share this or any posts at our Brag About It Link Party – Tuesday Link party that starts Monday nights at midnight. We’d love to see you there!
    Pinning and tweeting to share 🙂
    ~Laurie

  4. I love homemade hot chocolate. Thanks for sharing on the Creative K. Kids Tasty Tuesdays Linky Party. I hope you will join us again next week.

  5. I love this! Looks very tasty. Thanks for sharing 🙂

  6. But Starbucks doesn’t make great hot chocolate.

  7. Jennifer, your Copycat Starbucks Hot Chocolate Recipe looks and sounds delicious! We’re huge Starbucks fans and our son was a store manager for a couple years. Thanks for linking up to the Creative Muster Party and hope to see you tomorrow night (Tuesday) at 6 pm EST. This post was shared on Twitter too! 😉

    Heather
    MySweetMission.net

  8. I just made your hot chocolate recipe and it really is good, but I did add a little extra sugar to mine. ? Very easy too, so I’ll be making it again. I don’t think I’ve ever had Starbucks hot chocolate, so I can’t compare, lol. I can just say it’s yummy.

    1. The Starbucks hot chocolate isn’t too sweet…. so if you’re hankering for a little extra, it’s smart to add a little bit more sugar 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it… it’s certainly cold enough here in Chicagoland to warrant a cup (or two). 😀

  9. This looks amazing. Thank you for linking up with us at #HomeMattersParty. See you again next week.

  10. I have never been to Starbucks before but this hot chocolate sounds amazing and looks yummy too! 🙂

    1. Starbucks has the best hot chocolate around hands down! (oh but the cost….) Definitely try making this recipe at home 🙂

  11. This recipe looks so very good! I could use some of this right now with the weather that we are having! Thanks for this Starbucks Hot Chocolate recipe!

  12. My teenager loves hot cocoa and loves Starbucks, so I will definitely be trying this out on him!

  13. Oh that looks delicious! Thanks for sharing at The Mark and Jan Show #LetsParty!

  14. How fun you’ve carried the tradition on! I’ve never had starbucks hot chocolate – now I will never need to! Thanks for sharing at Fiesta Friday!

    Mollie

    1. Oh my word — best hot chocolate around! go spoil yourself and make one at home 🙂

  15. This is a great cup of Hot Chocolate! Hope you are having a great week and thanks so much for sharing your post with us at Full Plate Thursday.
    Miz Helen

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *