This Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix is four pantry ingredients whisked together in five minutes. Stir a scoop into hot milk or water and you have a rich, chocolatey mug of cocoa whenever you want one.
It also solves a December problem. When the gift list is long and the budget isn’t, a jar of homemade cocoa mix with a handwritten tag is a present people are happy to get.
One batch makes about 15 mugs. Keep it in a big jar by the kettle, or divide it into smaller jars for teachers, neighbors and stocking stuffers.
Setting up a holiday drink table? Add Slow Cooker Mulled Apple Cider and homemade Egg Nog.
Ingredients and Swaps
- Powdered sugar: It dissolves faster than granulated sugar, which is what keeps the cocoa smooth.
- Cocoa powder: Use unsweetened baking cocoa. Natural and Dutch-process both work.
- Dry milk powder: Look for it in the baking aisle. It’s what lets the mix work with plain hot water.
- Salt: A small amount makes the chocolate taste richer. Don’t skip it.
- Mini chocolate chips: Optional. They melt into the mug for a richer cup. Chopped regular chips work too.
Tips for Smooth Hot Cocoa
- Sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar if they’re lumpy. Lumps in the mix become lumps in the mug.
- For an extra-fine mix, pulse everything except the chocolate chips in a blender or food processor for a few seconds.
- Stir the mix with a splash of the hot liquid first to make a paste, then pour in the rest.
- Label the jar with the date and the directions so anyone in the house can make a mug.
Prices are from Walmart’s and ALDI’s websites for stores in Columbus, Ohio, checked in October 2026. Ohio’s grocery prices are within about 1% of the national average, so you may pay more or less depending on where you live, and prices change often. Here’s how we price our recipes.
Cost: Ingredients – $3.90 from Walmart, $4.14 from ALDI · Per Serving – $0.26 to $0.28
Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix
Ingredients
Method
- Sift or whisk the powdered sugar and cocoa powder together in a large bowl to break up any lumps.
- Whisk in the dry milk powder and salt until everything is evenly combined.
- Stir in the mini chocolate chips, if using.
- Transfer to an airtight jar or container.
- To make a mug, stir ⅓ cup of the mix into 1 cup of hot milk or hot water until smooth. Top with marshmallows or whipped cream.
Notes
- Hot milk makes the richest cocoa. Hot water works too, because the mix already has milk powder in it.
- Natural and Dutch-process cocoa powder both work.
- For peppermint cocoa, stir a crushed candy cane into your mug.
- For mocha, add a teaspoon of instant coffee to your mug.
Storage & Gifting Tips
- Store the mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
- Stir or shake before scooping, since the ingredients settle.
- For gifts, a pint jar holds about 2 cups of mix, enough for 6 mugs.
- Write the directions on a tag: stir ⅓ cup of mix into 1 cup of hot milk or water.
Hot Cocoa Mix Questions
Can I make it with water instead of milk?
Yes. The mix already has milk powder in it, so hot water works. Hot milk makes a richer, creamier mug.
How much mix do I use per mug?
Stir ⅓ cup of mix into 1 cup of hot milk or water. Use a little more for a darker, sweeter cup.
How many gift jars does one batch make?
One batch makes about 5 cups of mix, or about 6 cups with the chocolate chips. That fills two pint jars with some left over for your own kitchen, or three if you add the chips.
