This refined sugar free hot cocoa is a delicious way to warm up during the colder months. It’s easy to make and so chocolaty tasting.
My version of hot chocolate passed the picky five year old daughter test with flying colours. In fact she said it was the best hot chocolate ever (and she’s had plenty of conventional sugary hot chocolate over the years to compare it to). You can also serve this recipe cold and call it chocolate milk.
This refined sugar free hot cocoa would be perfect at a Christmas hot beverage station alongside other warm drinks such as apple cider, and a selection of tea and coffee.
Refined Sugar Free Hot Cocoa – Key Ingredients
Other alternative sweeteners can be used in this recipe instead of date paste. I’ve tried it with maple syrup as well as raw honey. Maple syrup works wonderfully and adds a subtle maple flavour that I enjoy.
Honey works well too, but definitely affects the flavour of the hot cocoa more than date paste or maple syrup do. My personal favourite sweetener in this recipe is date paste because it has a neutral flavour and doesn’t distract from the chocolaty taste of the cocoa powder.
Some additional flavourings you could add to this recipe include a sprinkle of orange zest to turn this into an orange chocolate drink or some fresh mint leaves for a mint hot chocolate. A dash of cinnamon and cayenne pepper would turn this into a Mexican inspired hot chocolate.
If you’re serving this at a hot beverage bar at a holiday party it’s particularly nice to offer some of these optional flavourings for your guests. It just makes it more festive and customizable which people tend to appreciate. You could even set out little cups of nut butters such as almond butter or peanut butter so that guests can add a swirl to their hot cocoa for extra richness and nutty flavour.
For another delicious beverage, try this refined sugar free ginger ale. It’s refreshing, easy to make, and has no added sugar. Or try this yummy chocolate kefir smoothie. It’s also sweetened with dates and is so easy to make.
Refined Sugar Free Hot Cocoa
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons date paste (see my date paste recipe for instructions)
- 1 tablespoon boiling water
- 1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup milk
Instructions
- Add the cocoa powder and boiling water to a pot on the stove or a microwave safe bowl and stir until the cocoa powder is dissolved.
- Add the date paste, vanilla extract and milk and heat until your desired temperature is reached, either on the stovetop or in the microwave.
- Makes 1 serving of refined sugar free hot chocolate so scale this recipe up or down as needed.
Nutrition
Nutritional Information:
I’m Jennifer, the author at A Sweet Alternative. I’m a home cook with a passion for creating gluten free and refined sugar free recipes that call for nutritious ingredients.