Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Food & Drink

These are the subtle differences between hot cocoa and hot chocolate

Hot cocoa and hot chocolate aren't the same: Here's how they differ and how to enjoy each

By

They may sound a lot of like and constantly get conflated, but hot cocoa and hot chocolate aren’t the same things. They’re both extremely tasty, especially come winter, but the general makeup of each is a little different.

Kinda like Pinot Gris and Pinot Grigio or a stout beer compared to a porter, the differences can be small, but important as they add up. Chocolate is the driving force in both categories here, with the real separator being one version that’s a little more authentic, and one that’s a little more about convenience. Here’s what to know.

Recommended Videos

Is it hot cocoa or hot chocolate?

Chances are good that you’re more familiar with hot cocoa, whether you call it that or not. This is a more popular version, made from cocoa powder and so often in packet form for efficiency’s sake. It tends to be creamy and quite sweet, although it can be adjusted to your liking depending on what you’re adding. In a pinch, you throw in hot water. For more delicacy, you might steam some milk or even mix in some oat milk or a dash of cream.

hot chocolate in a mug
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Genuine hot chocolate involves real chocolate, typically in the bittersweet bar form, melted down and hit with things like vanilla, whole milk, or even a punch of espresso or black coffee. The key here is high-quality chocolate from the get-go, with a high cacao percentage as you’re striving for flavor here, not necessarily sweetness. Besides, if a candied version is really what you’re after, you can always doctor up the finished product. Purists will also add that you would almost never add water to a real hot chocolate, as it dilutes the stuff.

How long has hot chocolate been around?

It goes way, way back. The Mayans, practically the godfathers of all things cacao, were known to drink it as far back as 500 BC. It continues to be wildly popular today, especially during the winter. Think of hot cocoa as the natural byproduct of the industrial revolution and advancements in cooking and processing techniques. It’s like the TV dinner version of hot chocolate, easy to prepare and pretty satisfying. And to be honest, that’s selling it a bit short because while hot cocoa involves cocoa powder at its core, there are some higher-end options out there to use as your base.

If we’re going for a decadent, complex mug filler, our vote goes to hot chocolate. No offense Swiss Miss, we love you all the same, but we like more of a house-made kinda drink. Here’s a great recipe to get you in the mood. And while you’re at it, think about complementary flavors, like coconut or the dark fruit notes or a good brandy or aged rum, as you play around.

Hot chocolate recipe

mug of hot chocolate sitting on a saucer.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

We like this French-inspired hot chocolate recipe from Well Plated. It mixes up some quality chocolate with milk, cream, and sugar — all you need for maximum enjoyment.

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces bittersweet chocolate at least 70%, chopped (Godiva or Trader Joe’s is suggested)
  • 1 1/2 cups whole milk
  • 1/2 cup heavy cream
  • 2 teaspoons powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon espresso powder

Method

  1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the whole milk, heavy cream, powdered sugar, and espresso powder until small bubbles appear around the edges. Do not allow the mixture to boil.
  2. Remove from saucepan from the heat and stir in the chopped chocolate until melted, returning the sauce to low heat if needed for the chocolate to melt completely. Serve warm, topped with lots of whipped cream.

Hot cocoa recipe

Epicurious Hot Cocoa.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Hot cocoa, in its essence, is simply the simpler version of hot chocolate. It should be easy to make but also plenty satisfying, per this Epicurious recipe. The pinch of salt seals the deal, as far as we’re concerned. And throw some mint candy in as a garnish for good, festive measure.

Ingredients:

  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 cup milk or any combination of milk, half-and-half, or cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch of salt

Method:

  1. Whisk together the cocoa, sugar, salt, and about 2 tablespoons milk in a small saucepan over medium-low heat until cocoa and sugar are dissolved. Whisk in the rest of the milk and heat it over medium heat, whisking occasionally, until it is hot. Stir in the vanilla and serve.
  2. If you like it frothy, blend it in the blender. Add salt to taste.

Now that you know what separates the two hot drinks, it’s time to decide which you like more. Whip up a batch of each and put them to the test. Even if it’s a tie, chocolate is involved so everybody wins.

Editors’ Recommendations

Topics
Mark Stock
Mark Stock
Contributor
Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…
The best hot cocktails to make this winter
The best hot cocktail recipes
Dante's Hot Buttered Rum cocktail.

Now that the cold is forcing us to stay indoors, nothing is more satisfying than wearing warm clothing and taking a sip from a piping hot cocktail by the fireplace. It's one thing to feel the heat from the mug radiate through your hands into the rest of your body, but then when you consider the shot or two of booze you've mixed in? That, friends, is a win-win combo.

The only thing left to do, then, is figure out what kind of hot cocktail to make. Whether you’re a self-proclaimed mixologist or someone who enjoys an occasional boozy drink after a hard day’s work, we’ve got you covered with the best hot cocktails that will satisfy every taste profile.

Read more
The best tea cocktail recipes if you love a hot toddy
Warm up with these hot tea cocktail recipes this winter
Red Hot Toddy.

If the Hot Toddy has taught us anything, it's that warm tea makes for a great cocktail base. And it's no wonder, given the broad range of tea types and styles. Given that we're still in winter's grip, these kinds of drinks are all the more intriguing, offering two kinds of warmth -- the hot tea itself and the booze.

You can end up with something drinkable by just throwing a tea bag and some spirits into a mug with some hot water. But we're not going for drinkable, we're aiming for utterly irresistible. That said, there are some things to keep in mind when mixing with tea. The most important aspect is to make the tea as recommended by the producer, as different kinds often require different methods.

Read more
Your new favorite winter cocktail is red wine…hot chocolate?
Happily survive the rest of winter with this surprisingly rich and indulgent cocktail
Hot chocolate

The holidays are over, and now we settle in for the long, dark, cold days of winter without the jolly sparkle of holiday festivities to get us through. For many, this is a time of reflection, of resolution, of beginning healthy habits and organizing our lives both inwardly and out. But for others (us), it's time to settle in under a warm blanket in a bear-like hibernation that includes baked goods and cocktails. And while we're looking forward to margaritas and fruity daquiries, something about a tropical cocktail doesn't yet feel quite right. We need a winter cocktail. One that warms us to our bones and fills our minds and bodies with happiness and peace. Enter red wine hot chocolate.

We realize that this concoction sounds a bit bizarre at first. But when one pauses and thinks about the flavors, red wine hot chocolate makes perfect sense. After all, is there any better pairing in the culinary world than that of wine and chocolate? Of course not. So why not blend them together for a beautifully rich, perfectly fruity, warm, comforting, indulgent winter cocktail?

Read more