Iced Chocolate

This recipe turns a few simple ingredients into a delicate cold chocolate drink. Iced chocolate is easy to make with all the boosting flavors of a warm chocolate drink in a cold drink. Easy, delicious, and vegan.

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If you are (just like me) not a fan of coffee or if you are a chocoholic this iced chocolate drink is one to try. The basic recipe only requires three ingredients and water, but there are a few delicious variations possible.

WHAT IS ICED CHOCOLATE?

There are a few different recipes for iced chocolate. The most decadent version is probably the ones with chocolate sauce, milk, ice cream (vanilla- or chocolate ice cream), and lots of ice cubes. While this is a delicious dessert, this may not be the best go-to everyday recipe. This iced chocolate milk is more like regular chocolate milk. It’s super accessible and so rich and refreshing at the same time.

Technically, this recipe is hot chocolate cooled down with ice cubes to create iced chocolate. So why use hot chocolate then? Keep on reading, my friend.

two glasses of iced chocolate next to each other with ice floating to the top on a dark grey backdrop with small bottles in the background

HOW TO MAKE ICED CHOCOLATE?

To make iced chocolate milk you only need three main ingredients and water (ice cubes and boiling water). The other ingredients are optional and not necessary to enjoy iced chocolate. I personally almost always make this recipe with just the three basic ingredients.

ingredients for iced chocolate on a white marble cutting board and a white tile backdrop

Plant-based milk: You can use any plant-based milk such as soy milk, cashew milk, almond milk, oat milk or make your own milk such as coconut milk or cashew milk. I like to use oat milk for this recipe as it adds just the right amount of sweetness. But any other plant-based milk will work just as well.

Cocoa or cacao powder: It can be confusing what the difference is between cocoa powder and cacao powder. In general, cocoa is processed at a much higher temperature. It also often contains added ingredients (such as sugar and even dairy). Cacao powder on the other hand is made from unroasted fermented beans and the final product shouldn’t contain any other ingredients.

glass with cacao powder on a white backdrop with a bottle of oat milk in the back

A sweetener: A sweetener will balance the bitter dark flavor of chocolate. You could use any sweetener you like, such as coconut sugar, xylitol, stevia, or monk fruit. For this recipe, I prefer to use a liquid (syrup) sweetener, such a maple syrup. The great thing with homemade (iced) drink recipes is that you can decide how sweet you like your drink and what kind of sweetener you would like to use. 

Ice cubes: Use about 4-6 medium-sized ice cubes to create a good cold drink. I always add a few extra ice cubes to make sure my iced chocolate is super cold. Just be careful you don’t add too many ice cubes since this can dilute your drink. 

Hot water: You will need hot water and a whisk to make a chocolate liquid without any clumps. If you do have cacao clumps in your iced drink you probably didn’t whisk it well enough, or your water wasn’t hot enough. If you use cold water to create a liquid chocolate mixture you will probably end up with clumps. 

glass with cacao powder and hot water and a hand whisking it on a white backdrop with a bottle of oat milk in the back
glass with ice cubes and a hand pouring in the chocolate mixture on a white backdrop with a bottle of oat milk in the back
glass with ice cubes and a hand pouring in the chocolate mixture on a white backdrop with a bottle of oat milk in the back
glass with ice cubes and a hand pouring in the chocolate mixture on a white backdrop with a bottle of oat milk in the back
glass with ice cubes and the chocolate mixture with a hand pouring in oat milk on a white backdrop

Optional ingredients are a great way to make your iced chocolate a bit fancier (café like) and it’s also very delicious to add warming ingredients (such as cinnamon) to an iced drink. A few examples are tahini, vanilla, salt, cinnamon, and cardamom. Add those to the cacao powder with hot water mixture so it can dissolve well.

Other optional ingredients are whipped cream or a dollop of (vanilla) ice cream to serve on top of your iced chocolate.

All you need to do now is get your favorite straw, sit back, sip, and enjoy.

WHEN TO SERVE ICED CHOCOLATE?

Consider this recipe a drink you can enjoy when you crave something cold, sweet, and with a little boost.

This recipe turns a simple chocolate milk recipe into a refreshing decadent drink with a kick. This drink boasts all the flavors you know from a hot warming winter drink, but then chilled with a good amount of ice.

two glasses of iced chocolate next to each other one with a glass straw on a white backdrop and a small pitcher next to it

FINAL TIPS

Cacao is an indulgent and rich ingredient to work with, so keep it simple. Go for a good quality cacao powder so you don’t have to add too many other ingredients or sweeteners to create that delicious deep, sweet flavor and balance

This recipe is so delicious! I can’t imagine anyone who likes chocolate saying no to this recipe. It’s the best iced drink I enjoyed all summer long. The only thing I need to work on is to enjoy this drink more. I drink this way too fast!

This iced chocolate is just what one needs on a warm and sunny day.

If you love chocolate, you will also love this Vegan Hot Chocolate Mix or this Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream.

I hope you will give this iced chocolate a try! Don’t forget to tag me on Facebook or Instagram @thegreencreator + #thegreencreator! Or leave a comment below and rate this recipe. It really helps me out a lot if you do!

two glasses of iced chocolate next to each other with ice floating to the top on a dark grey backdrop with small bottles in the background
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two glasses of iced chocolate next to each other with ice floating to the top on a dark grey backdrop with an oat milk bottle in the background

ICED CHOCOLATE

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews
  • Author: Bianca
  • Prep Time: 2
  • Cook Time: 3
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 large glass (500 ml including ice cubes) 1x
  • Category: drink
  • Method: whisk
  • Diet: Vegan

Description

This recipe turns a few simple ingredients into a delicate cold chocolate drink. Iced chocolate is easy to make with all the boosting flavors of a warm chocolate drink in a cold drink. Easy, delicious, and vegan.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 46 medium ice cubes
  • 1 cup oat milk
  • 2 tsp unsweetened cacao powder (100% cacao)
  • 2 tsp maple syrup (more or less to personal taste)
  • 1/3 cup boiled water

Optional:

  • 1 tsp tahini
  • ½ tsp vanilla essence
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp cardamom

Instructions

In a cup (or mug) whisk together any optional ingredients (except for the sweetener) and the cacao and boiling water. Whisk until you have a smooth hot mixture without any clumps. If you still find clumps your water is not hot enough or you should whisk longer.

Fill a large serving glass with ice cubes.  Pour the hot chocolate mixture over the ice cubes. After that, also add the oat milk (or any other plant-based milk to the glass.

Add a liquid syrup sweetener to your iced chocolate and serve immediately with a straw.

Notes

This recipe is very forgiving. After serving you can still adjust the sweetness and flavor. Add more warmth with a hint of cinnamon or add more sweetener if the drink is too bitter. Whisk to combine.

You can make this recipe fancy by serving it with a dollop of whipped (coconut) cream or (vanilla) ice cream.

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