Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate, 3 Ways

Lauren Caris Short

By Lauren Caris Short

Updated

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5 from 1 vote

Enjoy this indulgent dairy-free hot chocolate with almond milk and dark chocolate in three unique flavors: peppermint, orange, and thick Italian style topped with sea salt flakes. Perfect for a cozy winter treat.

Top view of two cups of dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate with cocoa sprinkled on top and garnished with a mint leaf.

Hot chocolate isn’t something I drink all that often. The stuff you get from the packet and add water to is always disappointing. It never tastes as good as the picture looks, and to be honest, if I’m going to have a hot chocolate, I at least want it to be a good one!

This version uses almond milk which is what makes it a dairy-free option. Almond milk is really creamy, so it’s perfect to use as a base for a hot chocolate. Dark chocolate also keeps this hot chocolate dairy-free & vegan, and doesn’t make it overly sweet. So you get to enjoy a rich, creamy hot chocolate, without it being too sickly.

A woman's hand wrapped around a cup of dairy-free peppermint hot chocolate with cocoa sprinkled on top and garnished with a mint leaf.

It’s definitely an indulgence, but who says indulging now and again is a bad thing? I promise you would never guess this was a vegan hot chocolate if no-one told you, so why not try it out next time you need a warm blankets and fluffy socks kind of afternoon!

The flavors included in the recipe below are classic peppermint, a rich and zesty orange flavor, and the most decadent Italian hot chocolate, topped with a pinch of flakey sea salt for extra punch.

Three cups of thick Italian hot chocolate with chocolate dripping down the sides and topped with flaked sea salt.

Go on…treat yourself! Grab a cozy blanket, some thick socks, put on your favorite streaming show and have a nice big mug of one of these hot chocolates!

Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate that is JUST as good as the original dairy version! Crank up your winter with this luxurious and quick hot drink!
Print Recipe
5 from 1 vote

Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate (3 Ways)

Enjoy this indulgent dairy-free hot chocolate with almond milk and dark chocolate in three unique flavors: peppermint, orange, and thick Italian style topped with sea salt flakes. Perfect for a cozy winter treat.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time10 minutes
Total Time15 minutes
Diet: Vegan
Servings: 2 mugs

Ingredients

Peppermint Hot Chocolate

  • 2 cups almond milk
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate roughly chopped
  • 5-6 drops peppermint extract

Italian Thick Hot Chocolate with Sea Salt

  • 1.5 cups almond milk
  • 2 tbsp corn starch
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate roughly chopped
  • 2 tbsp sugar
  • flaked sea salt for topping

Orange Hot Chocolate

  • 2 cups almond milk
  • 1/2 cup dark chocolate roughly chopped
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

  • To make the Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Heat the almond milk in a saucepan until gently simmering. Then add in the chocolate and peppermint extract and whisk until completely melted and smooth. Pour into two mugs and serve.
  • To make the Orange Hot Chocolate: Heat the almond milk in a saucepan until gently simmering. Then add in the chocolate and orange zest and whisk until completely melted and smooth. Pour into two mugs and serve.
  • To make the Italian Thick Hot Chocolate with Sea Salt: Mix the cornstarch with 2 tablespoons of the almond milk and stir to dissolve. Set aside. Pour the remaining almond milk in a saucepan and heat until simmering. Then add in the chocolate and whisk until completely dissolved. Pour in the almond milk and cornstarch mixture and whisk until the hot chocolate is thick and coats the back of a wooden spoon. Pour into mugs and serve with some sea salt flakes sprinkled on top.

Images by Lauren Caris Short.

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0 thoughts on “Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate, 3 Ways”

  1. Lauren I’m drooling over here! They all look absolutely delicious, and I’m already on my way to the kitchen, as that Italian hot choc is calling my name!!! :) yum!

    Reply
  2. These hot chocolates all sound amazing! I think my favorite would definitely be the peppermint, though, I love anything minty! :)

    Reply