Hot chocolate / cocoa, dry mix, made with water, with whipped cream
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
A comforting, sweetened powder blend that transforms into a rich, velvety drink when mixed with hot water. Its deep cocoa flavor is balanced by a smooth, frothy texture, especially when topped with a cloud of whipped cream. Nutritionally, it's a light treat at just 65 kcal per 100g, primarily from carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 6% protein · 69% carbs · 25% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its nostalgic, warming embrace on cold days and its simple, customizable nature. It's a versatile base that can be dressed up with spices, syrups, or different milks to suit any mood.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The high sugar content (8.81g per 100g) can lead to blood-sugar spikes and crashes. To counteract this, pair it with a source of protein (like a handful of nuts) or healthy fat (like the whipped cream itself) to slow sugar absorption. For a lower-sugar version, use half the mix and supplement with unsweetened cocoa powder.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates.
- Contains small amounts of minerals like magnesium and potassium from cocoa.
- Offers a comforting, low-calorie indulgence compared to many desserts.
- The whipped cream topping adds a source of dietary fat for satiety.
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The first recorded chocolate drink was created by the Aztecs, but it was a bitter, spicy beverage—the sweet, powdered mix we know today is a much later European and American invention.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 85.4 g |
| Energy | 65.0 kcal |
| Protein | 0.94 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 11.2 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 0.50 g |
| Total Sugars | 8.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 22.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.15 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 12.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 43.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 96.0 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 69.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.20 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.04 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.80 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.00 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.01 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.08 mg |
| Niacin | 0.08 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.02 mg |
| Folate, total | 1.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 1.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 1.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 4.9 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.04 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 12.0 ug |
| Retinol | 12.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 1.0 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.06 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 2.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 42.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.1 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.03 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.13 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.49 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.27 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.44 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.47 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.04 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 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 | 4.0 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
Estimated from Milk, chocolate beverage, hot cocoa, homemade — USDA does not publish this profile for Hot chocolate / cocoa.
| Tryptophan | 0.04 g |
| Threonine | 0.10 g |
| Isoleucine | 0.17 g |
| Leucine | 0.30 g |
| Lysine | 0.21 g |
| Methionine | 0.08 g |
| Cystine | 0.10 g |
| Phenylalanine | 0.15 g |
| Tyrosine | 0.14 g |
| Valine | 0.20 g |
| Arginine | 0.10 g |
| Histidine | 0.07 g |
| Alanine | 0.10 g |
| Aspartic acid | 0.28 g |
| Glutamic acid | 0.72 g |
| Glycine | 0.06 g |
| Proline | 0.34 g |
| Serine | 0.18 g |
FAQ
Can I make this with milk instead of water?
Absolutely! Using milk (dairy or plant-based) will create a creamier, richer hot chocolate and significantly increase the protein and calorie content.
Is this the same as pure cocoa powder?
No. This is a pre-mixed product that contains sugar, cocoa, and often non-dairy creamers or other additives. Pure cocoa powder is unsweetened and much more bitter.
How can I reduce the sugar in my cup?
Use only half the recommended mix amount and top up with hot water or milk. You can also stir in a pinch of salt or a dash of vanilla extract to enhance the chocolate flavor without adding sugar.
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 0.65 kcal/g · 6% calories from protein · 0.5 g fiber · 8.8 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: 0.72 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.