Beverages, malted drink mix, chocolate, powder
Whole food · Beverages
Photo: Wikipedia
A finely milled, soluble powder that transforms milk or water into a rich, creamy chocolate malt beverage. Its flavor is a nostalgic blend of deep cocoa, toasted malt sweetness, and a hint of vanilla, creating a comforting, frothy drink. Nutritionally, it's a concentrated source of carbohydrates, primarily from sugars, offering a quick energy boost.
Calorie split: 5% protein · 85% carbs · 10% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its instant, comforting chocolate-malt flavor that evokes childhood memories and provides a quick, sweet treat. It's incredibly versatile, easily mixed into milk, smoothies, or used as a topping for desserts.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (over 66g per 100g) can lead to rapid blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for those managing diabetes or calorie intake. To mitigate, mix a smaller portion into a larger volume of unsweetened milk or water, and pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like nuts or a piece of cheese) to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains some protein, contributing to daily intake.
- Offers a convenient and comforting warm or cold beverage option.
- Fortified versions can be a source of vitamins and minerals.
- The malted barley component adds a distinctive, satisfying flavor.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The 'malted' in its name comes from malted barley, which is germinated, dried, and ground; this process develops enzymes that convert starches to sugars, contributing to the drink's signature sweet, toasty flavor.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 1.3 g |
| Energy | 411 kcal |
| Energy | 1720 kj |
| Protein | 5.1 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 4.8 g |
| Ash | 1.9 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 86.9 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.8 g |
| Total Sugars | 66.7 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 60.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 2.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 70.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 175 mg |
| Potassium, K | 618 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 190 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.80 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.20 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 6.9 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 1.5 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.17 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.20 mg |
| Niacin | 2.0 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.32 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.16 mg |
| Folate, total | 37.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 18.0 ug |
| Folate, food | 19.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 50.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 27.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.42 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 33.0 ug |
| Retinol | 32.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 5.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 117 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 2.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.17 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 0.00 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 2.5 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 37.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 345 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 2.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.11 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.08 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.36 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 1.2 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.41 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 24:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 1.2 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.16 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.94 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.67 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.58 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.09 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 1.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Beverages, carbonated, tonic water — USDA does not publish this profile for Beverages.
| Tryptophan | 0.00 g |
| Threonine | 0.00 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.00 g |
| Leucine | 0.00 g |
| Lysine | 0.00 g |
| Methionine | 0.00 g |
| Cystine | 0.00 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.00 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.00 g |
| Valine | 0.00 g |
| Arginine | 0.00 g |
| Histidine | 0.00 g |
| Alanine | 0.00 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.00 g |
| Glycine | 0.00 g |
| Proline | 0.00 g |
| Serine | 0.00 g |
FAQ
Is malted drink mix the same as cocoa powder?
No. Cocoa powder is primarily ground cacao beans and is unsweetened. Malted drink mix is a blend of malted barley, wheat flour, cocoa, sugar, and often milk solids, designed to make a complete, sweetened beverage.
Can I use it in baking?
Absolutely. It's a popular ingredient in cakes, brownies, cookies, and frostings to add a rich, malty chocolate depth. Substitute a portion of the flour or sugar with the mix for added flavor.
Does it contain dairy?
Most commercial brands contain milk solids or whey, making them unsuitable for vegans or those with dairy allergies. Always check the ingredient list for 'milk' or 'whey'.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.11 kcal/g · 5% calories from protein · 4.8 g fiber · 66.7 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.31 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.