Milk, chocolate beverage, hot cocoa, homemade
Whole food · Dairy and Egg Products
Photo: Wikipedia
A warm, velvety blend of cocoa and milk, this homemade hot cocoa offers a rich, comforting chocolate flavor with a smooth, creamy texture. At just 77 kcal per 100g, it provides a modest energy boost with 3.52g of protein and 10.74g of carbs, making it a lighter indulgence than many commercial options.
Calorie split: 18% protein · 55% carbs · 27% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore it for its deep, comforting chocolate flavor and creamy mouthfeel, which evoke warmth and nostalgia. It's a versatile base that can be spiked with chili, vanilla, or coffee, and is a staple in winter traditions worldwide.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
The 9.66g of sugar per 100g can contribute to blood-sugar spikes, especially for those with insulin sensitivity. To mitigate this, pair it with a source of protein or healthy fat (like a handful of nuts) to slow sugar absorption, or opt for a smaller portion. Those with lactose intolerance or milk allergies should use a fortified plant-based milk alternative.
Key benefits
- Provides a quick source of energy from carbohydrates
- Contains protein from milk, supporting muscle maintenance
- Offers a comforting ritual that can reduce stress
- Can be customized with spices like cinnamon or nutmeg
- Hydrating due to its milk base
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The original Mexican hot chocolate, 'xocolātl', was a frothy, bitter, and spicy drink often flavored with chili peppers and consumed for ceremonial purposes, not as a sweet treat.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 82.5 g |
| Energy | 77.0 kcal |
| Energy | 324 kj |
| Protein | 3.5 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 2.3 g |
| Ash | 0.65 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 10.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 1.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 9.7 g |
| Sucrose | 5.0 g |
| Glucose | 0.01 g |
| Fructose | 0.01 g |
| Lactose | 4.6 g |
| Maltose | 0.01 g |
| Galactose | 0.01 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 114 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 0.42 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 23.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 105 mg |
| Potassium, K | 197 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 44.0 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.63 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.10 mg |
| Manganese, Mn | 0.01 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 2.7 ug |
| Fluoride, F | 3.1 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.20 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.04 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.18 mg |
| Niacin | 0.13 mg |
| Pantothenic acid | 0.33 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.04 mg |
| Folate, total | 5.0 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 5.0 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 5.0 ug |
| Choline, total | 15.6 mg |
| Betaine | 0.90 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.49 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 51.0 ug |
| Retinol | 51.0 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 4.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, IU | 175 iu |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.03 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocopherol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, alpha | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, beta | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, gamma | 0.00 mg |
| Tocotrienol, delta | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3), International Units | 45.0 iu |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) | 1.1 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin K (Dihydrophylloquinone) | 0.00 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 2.0 mg |
| Theobromine | 68.0 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 1.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.07 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.04 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.05 g |
| SFA 13:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 0.16 g |
| SFA 15:0 | 0.02 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 0.64 g |
| SFA 17:0 | 0.01 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 0.37 g |
| SFA 20:0 | 0.00 g |
| SFA 22:0 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 0.68 g |
| MUFA 14:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 15:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 17:1 | 0.01 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 0.63 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.00 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 0.08 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 0.07 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:3 | 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 |
| Fatty acids, total trans | 0.08 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-monoenoic | 0.07 g |
| Fatty acids, total trans-polyenoic | 0.01 g |
| Cholesterol | 8.0 mg |
| Stigmasterol | 0.00 mg |
| Campesterol | 0.00 mg |
| Beta-sitosterol | 0.00 mg |
Amino acid profile (per 100g)
| 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
How does homemade hot cocoa differ from instant hot chocolate mix?
Homemade uses real cocoa powder or melted chocolate and fresh milk, offering a richer, less processed flavor and more control over sugar and ingredients. Instant mixes often contain added sugars, stabilizers, and artificial flavors.
Can I make this with plant-based milk?
Yes, absolutely. Use a fortified, unsweetened plant-based milk like oat, soy, or almond. Note that the nutritional profile (especially protein and calories) will change based on the milk used.
What's the best way to get a frothy texture without a machine?
Whisk the mixture vigorously in the saucepan while heating. Alternatively, pour the hot cocoa into a jar with a lid, seal it, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to create a light foam.
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 0.77 kcal/g · 18% calories from protein · 1.0 g fiber · 9.7 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: 0.22 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.