Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Ask Alisa»The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes and Recipes

    The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes and Recipes

    35
    By Alisa Fleming on December 13, 2022 Ask Alisa, In The News

    Did you know there are now almost 50 brands of dairy-free hot chocolate mixes available? Most of them are also vegan, gluten-free, soy-free, and nut-free, and some are even paleo friendly! In this post, we cover the best dairy-free hot chocolate mixes, summaries of the rest, and our favorite recipes for making your own mug of hot cocoa.

    The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes and Recipes - vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free too, with allergy-friendly options

    The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate + More Brands & Recipes

    This vegan hot cocoa round-up started with a simple request from a reader over a decade ago. Kris wanted to know if there were any options for dairy-free hot chocolate. There sure are! Back then, I was able to share the recipes from my books, Go Dairy Free and Eat Dairy Free, and suggestions for about a dozen mix brands. Now, there are nearly 50 brands and many more flavors to choose from! This guide is fully updated, and you can jump ahead with these links:

    • Top 10 Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes
    • More Vegan Hot Cocoa Mixes
    • Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Recipes

    Vegan Options: All of the dairy-free hot chocolate mixes and recipes listed in this post are vegan-friendly, unless otherwise noted. But if concerned about the sugar source for store-bought varieties, you will need to contact the manufacturer.

    Allergen Notes: All items listed below were dairy-free by ingredients at the time of our review. Almost all are gluten-free, too. We’ve noted any top allergens contained in these dairy-free hot chocolate mixes. But ingredients are subject to change at any time, and all products are at some degree of risk for allergen cross contamination, whether they have a “may contain” statement or not. Always read the label before consuming any food, and make sure you are familiar with this may contain information. Only you can decide what foods are safe for your needs.

    Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links to retailers that we buy from, too. We might receive a commission if you make purchases through these links. These commissions do not direct our content, but do help to support the maintenance of our site. We appreciate your support!

    The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes (Our Top Picks!)

    There are many vegan and dairy-free hot chocolate and hot cocoa brands on the market, so we thought we would start with our favorites. Our priorities were taste, availability, and options when picking this top ten list. But there are many good brands out there. After you scan these beloved picks, keep scrolling for the other forty dairy-free and vegan hot chocolate brands on the market!

    Swiss Miss Non Dairy Hot Cocoa Mix

    Their other hot chocolate mixes are still made with dairy, but this popular brand is also launching a non-dairy version (yes, it’s dairy-free). It’s made with coconut milk powder.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar, we assume
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Non-Dairy (their other hot chocolate mixes all contain milk)
    • Availability: Albertsons family of stores, Meijer, Giant, Stop & Shop, Target (online only), Amazon

    Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes + a complete list of Vegan Hot Cocoa Mixes. Pictured: Non-Dairy Swiss Miss

    Good & Gather Hot Cocoa Mixes

    Target has transitioned their Archer Farms brand to Good & Gather. It was a benefit for their Hot Cocoa Mix, as the entire line is now dairy-free and kosher pareve, including the Salted Caramel. But use caution – they have had a couple flavors with dairy in the past, and you never know when one might pop up.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Double Chocolate, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Pumpkin Spice, Sea Salt Caramel

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Good & Gather from Target

    Equal Exchange Organic Hot Chocolate

    At last check, they had three organic hot chocolate mixes, but only the Spicy (with chili and cinnamon) and Dark are dairy free and vegan.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Evaporated Sugar Cane Juice or Organic Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top 8 allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Dark, Spicy (the Original variety is made with dairy milk)
    • Availability: Target, Whole Foods, local co-ops, iHerb, Vitacost, Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Equal Exchange Organic Dark Hot Cocoa

    Castle Kitchen Premium Hot Chocolate

    This “just add water” mix boasts a dairy-free and vegan label, and it comes in three dark chocolate flavors.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Double Dutch, Classic Caramel, Marvelous Mint
    • Availability: Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Castle Kitchen Hot Chocolate Mix

    Silly Cow Farms Hot Chocoate

    Don’t let the dairy image fool you. These adorable little jars of dairy-free hot cocoa may well be within limits for you. They all appear to be made without top allergens, but double check!

    • Sweetened with: Natural Cane Sugar
    • Contains: We did not see any top allergens listed
    • Varieties: Marshmallow Swirl, Chocolate Chocolate, Chocolate Truffle, Chocolate Moo-usse, Peppermint Twist, Pumpkin Spice, Coconut Cream, Double Udder, Maple, Sea Salt & Caramel, Java Chocolate Chip, Ginger Snap, Udderley Milk
    • Availability: Albertsons family of stores, HEB, Giant, other major grocers, Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Silly Cow Farms Hot Cocoa

    Lake Champlain Hot Cocoa Mixes

    Though they are a traditional chocolatier, Lake Champlain never forgets their vegan contingency. In fact, it looks like all of their hot cocoa mixes are non-dairy. Although they seem gourmet, they are sold in large 1-pound canisters, and are readily available.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Traditional, Spicy Aztec, Mocha, Peppermint, Marshmallow
    • Availability: Whole Foods, local natural food stores, Lake Champlain, Amazon

    The Best Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Mixes and Recipes - vegan, plant-based, and gluten-free too, with allergy-friendly options

    Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mixes (select varieties)

    This brand keeps waffling back and forth. They started with an amazing line of canister hot chocolates that were all dairy-free. Those were available for years, until one day they decided to add milk to most of their formulas. But then, as we clamored for dairy-free options to return, they reemerged with some sweet chocolate goodies that are made without milk. Then, they added a couple varieties with milk back into the mix. Both their seasonal Peppermint Hot Cocoa Mix and regular Premium Hot Cocoa Mix contain milk, but the ones below do not.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Chocolate Caramel, Double Chocolate, Mocha, Sweet Ground Chocolate & Cocoa
    • Availability: Albertsons family of stores, Ghirardelli, Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Ghirardelli Premium Hot Cocoa Mixes

    Coconut Cloud Vegan Hot Cocoa

    If you want a creamy “just add hot water” option, then reach for this mix. It’s enriched with powdered coconut cream and MCT oil. We like that it also comes in single serve packets, which are great for on-the-go, gift baskets, and stockings. And, they are always whipping up new flavors!

    • Sweetened with: Organic Cane Sugar and Tapioca Syrup
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original, Toasted Marshmallow, Salted Caramel, Peppermint, Birthday Cake
    • Availability: Whole Foods, Publix, Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Coconut Cloud Hot Cocoa

    Nibmor Organic Hot Cocoa

    Nibmor is known for their smooth vegan chocolate, and we expect no less from their dairy-free drinking chocolate. They most recently added an extra creamy variety made with coconut milk powder.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Cane Sugar and Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Traditional, Mint, Extra Creamy
    • Availability: Kroger family of stores, natural food stores, Vitacost, Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Nibmor Drinking Chocolate

    Starbucks Hot Cocoa Mix

    In their packaged line, Starbucks seems to offer a couple of hot cocoa flavors that are made without milk ingredients, including the Classic that’s sold at Costco. But at least one flavor (Caramel) is made with dairy, and so is the Keurig variety, so read carefully.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: Select varieties contain soy
    • Varieties: Classic, Double Chocolate, Marshmallow (not vegan), Peppermint (Caramel contains milk)
    • Availability: Costco, Albertsons family of stores, Starbucks, Stop & Shop, HEB, Giant,  Amazon

    Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate Guide with Hot Cocoa Brands and Recipes - Vegan-Friendly with Allergy-Friendly, Soy-Free, Sugar-Free, Refined Sugar-Free, Paleo, and Keto Options. Pictured: Silly Cow Farms Hot Cocoa

    More Dairy-Free & Vegan Hot Chocolate Mixes

    There are even more to choose from, with keto, paleo, and classic vegan options. I know you will love many of these, too! We obviously haven’t had the chance to try them all. They are listed alphabetically.

    Abuelita Chocolate by Nestle (NOT Cocoa Mixes)

    Their hot cocoa mixes contain dairy, but their drinking chocolate tablets and bars are pure non-dairy chocolate.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Tablillas de Chocolate Caliente, Marqueta Bar

    Apotheker’s Organic Hot Cocoa Mixes

    These mixes are created with simple ingredients by an all-natural chocolatier.

    • Sweetened with: Maple Sugar
    • Contains: Most contain no top allergens; Peanut Butter contains peanut and coconut
    • Varieties: Classic, Herbal, Peanut Butter, Mint, Smoke & Spice

    Bare Life

    This kosher pareve mix is made purely with organic coconut milk powder, coconut sugar, cocoa powder, vanilla beans, and Himalayan salt.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Classic / Coconut

    Bixby Drinking Chocolate

    They make a handful of “European Style” drinking chocolates, but only a few are vegan.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar or Organic Dried Cane Syrup
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Rich Dark, Mayan Style, Peppermint (creamy dark & milk and smooth white contain milk)

    BomBombs Vegan Hot Chocolate Bombs

    These dark chocolate bombs make a wonderful gift! But use caution. They do make varieties with milk.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Vegan

    Cacoco Drinking Chocolate

    Touted as “superfood” drinking chocolate, you can bet that this vegan chocolatier makes a rich and relatively nutritious mug of hot cocoa. We have taste-tested this dairy-free hot chocolate, and even reviewed it.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Sugar; select flavors also use Stevia
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Pure Dark, Extra Dark, Rich Dark, Golden Dark, Dark Mocha, Spicy Dark, Mint Dark

    Cocoa Cravings Drinking Chocolate

    These certified organic, gourmet hot cocoa drinks and drinking chocolates, come in unique flavors and are enriched with Ayurvedic herbal extracts.

    • Sweetened with: Evaporated Cane Juice and Stevia or Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Select flavors contain coconut and/or soy; some are made without top allergens
    • Varieties: Banana, Berry, Pumpkin Pie, Picante, Curried, Orange, Peppermint

    Cocoa Metro Belgian Drinking Chocolate

    They offer both an instant drinking chocolate, which can be enjoyed hot or cold, and a hot chocolate specific mix. 

    • Sweetened with: Organic Cane Sugar
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Original

    Cocoa Felice Hot Cocoa Mix

    Boasted as more traditional, this vegan mix uses real European Dutch process cocoa.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed
    • Varieties: Rich Dark, Mayan Style, Peppermint (creamy dark & milk and smooth white contain milk)

    Cocoringa Moringa Cacao Hot Chocolate

    If you like to pack in veggies with every sip, then this dairy-free hot chocolate should be tops on your list! It also contains pre and probiotics, and has no added sugar. Consequently, it has less than 2 grams of total sugars!

    • Sweetened with: Oligosaccharide (from chicory root)
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Classic

    Double Donut Vegan Hot Chocolate

    This coffee shop mixes up several hot chocolate flavors, but only the “Vegan” one is dairy free.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Dairy Free

    Elements Truffles

    Yes, this brand is listed in our Healthy Dairy-Free Chocolates Round-up too. They do indeed make dairy-free truffles! But they also have a Healthy Hot Cocoa Mixes.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Turmeric, Ashwagandha

    Four Sigmatic Mushroom Hot Cacao Mix

    This functional food company makes organic hot cacao with just six ingredients, including mushrooms! It’s touted as not only vegan, but also paleo hot cacao.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Coconut Palm Sugar and Stevia
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original with Reishi, with Cordyceps

    Franzese Hot Chocolate

    Boasting true Italian tradition, this drinking chocolate just happens to be dairy free.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar; the Salted Caramel also contains Fructose
    • Contains: The Salted Caramel contains soy
    • Varieties: Traditional, Salted Caramel

    Gnosis Raw Chocolate Elixirs

    These pure chocolate powders are filled with superfoods and can be enjoyed hot or cold. Gnosis is a vegan and dairy-free chocolate company.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Pumpkin Spice (seasonal), Immunity, Superchoc, Simplicity, Mayan Heat, Passion, Goddess

    Guittard Drinking Chocolate

    This popular chocolatier makes a ground drinking chocolate that is easier to find than many others.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed
    • Varieties: Grand Cacao

    InJoy Organics

    This sugar-free, keto-friendly, and dairy-free hot chocolate is made with real dark chocolate and just five ingredients.

    • Sweetened with: Erythritol and Stevia
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Classic, Mint, Orange

    Jummy Cocoamy Organic Hot Chocolate Mix

    This “healthy” hot cocoa brand is dairy-free and a good source of prebiotics, fiber, and iron! It also comes in a few popular flavors.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Cane Sugar, Blue Agave, Tapioca Syrup
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Original, Hazelnut, Caramel, Mocha

    Laird Superfood Hot Chocolate

    This rich hot cocoa is a superfood blend made with cinnamon powder, the company’s creamy coconut milk powder, and functional mushrooms. And they’ve launched an oatmilk hot chocolate.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original

    Lakanto Sugar-Free Drinking Chocolate

    This is one of the few dairy-free hot chocolate options that is low-glycemic, keto-friendly, and sugar-free. It’s also stocked with calcium, magnesium, and probiotics.

    • Sweetened with: Erythritol and Monk Fruit Extract
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Original

    Maud’s Loco Hot Cocoa

    K-cup users will love this kosher parve selection of hot cocoas.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar, Sucralose
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original, Chocolate Coconut, Hazelnut Cream, Chocolate Peanut Butter, Cinnamon Churro, Peppermint Bark

    MilkBoy Swiss Chocolate Drink

    Don’t let the dairy-laden name fool you. This classic brand is dairy-free, vegan, and gluten-free. They even recommend mixing it with almond or coconut milk.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Original

    Mrs. Bryant’s Hot Cocoa

    This remarkably simple dairy-free hot cocoa contains just three, everyday, vegan ingredients.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Dutch Colony

    My Organic Cocoa (MOCO) Hot Chocolate Mix

    Touted as “gourmet” hot chocolate, this brand has a rustic, homemade feel. It’s made with simple classic ingredients, but is boosted with maca.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Classic, Mexican, Peppermint

    Nomad Drinking Chocolate

    This naturally vegan brand wanders between classic and exotic flavors, like Ruby Bliss which is pink from beets!

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar or Organic Raw Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: 45% Dark, 55% Dark, Ancient Maya, Ruby Bliss

    Nomu Vegan Hot Chocolate

    This South African brand makes a few hot chocolate mixes, including this vegan variety. It’s available in the U.S., too!

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Vegan

    OM Mushroom Powered Hot Chocolate

    You will discover a range of benefits in this functional dairy-free hot chocolate. It’s only lightly sweetened, but filled with medicinal herbs and mushrooms to help you unwind.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Maple Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Original

    RDCL Super Cocoa

    The ingredient list on this hot chocolate mix might not be short, but it sure looks healthy. It’s somehow packed with vegetables, fruits, grains, and superfoods.

    • Sweetened with: Stevia
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in ingredients
    • Varieties: Original

    St. Claire’s Organic Hot Cocoa Mix

    This allergy-friendly hot cocoa brand has been around for many years. It comes in several lightly-sweetened, nourishing flavors that are soy-free, dairy-free, gluten-free, and nut-free.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Molasses Granules
    • Contains: No top allergen ingredients listed
    • Varieties: Traditional, Vanilla, Raspberry, Cherry, Caliente, Ginger, Mandarin, Peppermint

    Sweet Cheat Hot Chocolate

    This sugar-free, keto-friendly, dairy-free hot chocolate mix has just 1 gram of net carbs.

    • Sweetened with: Inulin Fibre and Monk Fruit
    • Contains: No top allergen ingredients listed
    • Varieties: Traditional

    Sweet Freedom Liquid Chocolate

    Their Choc Shot is a squeezable fruit-sweetened liquid that you add to your milk beverage for lump-free, dairy-free hot chocolate! It’s available in Original, Orange Spice, and Coconut. This is a UK brand, but it can be bought on Amazon in the U.S.

    • Sweetened with: Fruit Extracts
    • Contains: No top allergen ingredients listed
    • Varieties: Original, Orange Spice, Coconut

    The Chocolate Conspiracy Chocolate Drink Mix

    This organic, fair trade mix can be enjoyed hot or cold. It’s made purely with unroasted single-origin Peruvian cacao beans, mesquite powder, and coconut sugar.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Coconut Palm Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original

    Theo Drinking Chocolate

    If you’re looking for a pure chocolate experience, this is the one. It’s organic, 55% cacao, and made with just four simple but rich ingredients.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergen ingredients listed
    • Varieties: Original

    Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Hot Chocolate Sticks

    These single-serves are sold in a pack of eight. They are made without dairy, but do have clear notes for potential milk cross-contamination in manufacturing.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar
    • Contains: Soy
    • Varieties: Original

    Treehouse Originals Coconut Drinking Chocolate

    All of their other varieties contain milk, but the Coconut variety is listed as dairy-free. It’s made with coconut milk powder instead of milk.

    • Sweetened with: Coconut Nectar and Cane Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Coconut

    Whittard Vegan Hot Chocolate

    Several varieties from this UK company appear are dairy-free by ingredients, and identified as vegan by the company.

    • Sweetened with: Sugar
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in the ingredients of select varieties
    • Varieties: Luxury, Peanut Butter, Salted Caramel, Mocha, 70% Cocoa, Marzipan, Ginger, Orange, Cinnamon, Chilli, Rocky Road (some other varieties, like the White flavors, do contain milk)

    Wildly Organic Hot Chocolate Mix

    You might enjoy the creamier sip of this dairy-free hot cocoa mix, since it’s enriched with coconut milk powder.

    • Sweetened with: Organic Coconut Sugar
    • Contains: Coconut
    • Varieties: Original

    You Wont Believe its Parve K-Cups

    You won’t believe it comes in K-cups! These single-serve beverages are dairy-free and compatible with your coffee maker.

    • Sweetened with: Cane Sugar and Sucralose
    • Contains: No top allergens listed in the ingredients of select varieties
    • Varieties: Original

    Homemade Dairy-Free Hot Chocolate & Hot Cocoa Recipes

    Aside from the easy recipes in Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook and Eat Dairy Free: The Everyday Cookbook, here are some more rich, chocolaty dairy-free sipping formulas:

    • Basic Dairy-Free Hot Cocoa – This simple option can be made with hot water, but it also has Creamy, Gingerbread, Mayan, and Nutty Variations
    • Healthier Hot Chocolate – For a milky finish, this recipe uses brown rice milk powder and includes three flavor variations (pictured below).
    • Mama’s Single-Serve Hot Chocolate – Sarah shared her favorite hot coco recipe for one, topped with marshmallow creme for a twist.
    • Nourishing Spiced Hot Chocolate – I bet you never thought you’d see a hot chocolate recipe with prunes!
    • Hot Chocolate Cubes – These are fun to make, gift, and enjoy. They make a rich drinking chocolate.
    • Crockpot Hot Chocolate – For parties, Sarah makes this easy hot chocolate. It cooks low and slow for steaming hot chocolate on demand.
    • Hot Cocoa Mix – I like to keep this quick dairy-free mix on hand to whip up a batch of hot cocoa any time. It includes Spice, Mocha, and Mint variations.
    • Hot Spiced Carob Milk – Craving something a little different? This carob version of hot chocolate is a favorite in my home and many others!

    Fast & Easy DIY Options

    In a pinch, keep this basic ratio in mind: roughly 1 tablespoon cocoa powder per 1 cup of liquid, and sweetener to taste. For a light hot cocoa, some prefer to use just water. For something a little richer, use anything from rice milk on up to cashew milk or coconut milk (the fatty kind!). Or consider melting in some dairy-free chocolate chips for a little cocoa buttery luxury.

    If you’re feeling lazy, follow my husband Tony’s lead and just heat up your favorite dairy-free chocolate milk beverage.

    Classic Hot Cocoa Toppings

    Most marshmallows are dairy-free, but there are also tasty vegan (gelatin-free) brands like Dandies. If you’d rather have a coffeehouse-style hot cocoa, use my Dairy-Free Whipped Cream Recipe or buy one of these Vegan Whipped Cream Brands.

    For More Dairy-Free Guidance, Get Go Dairy Free!

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living

    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    35 Comments

    1. Kaya Street on August 17, 2022 12:21 am

      Thanks For Sharing this amazing recipe. I would certainly attempt it after reading this post.And i will be sharing this recipe with my friends. Hope they will like it. Thanks for taking the time to research them

      Reply
    2. Kevin M Maloney on January 20, 2019 11:48 am

      I’d love to find a Keurig dairy free hot chocolate.

      Reply
    3. Kristen on January 12, 2019 7:15 am

      By chance do you know of any that are also peanut & tree nut free?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on January 12, 2019 11:40 am

        Almost all (if not all) of these are made without peanuts and tree nuts. But I couldn’t tell you on potential cross contamination issues. I believe I have noted above if they are an “allergy friendly” type of brand.

        Reply
    4. Natalie on February 5, 2018 8:45 pm

      “If you’re feeling lazy, follow my husband Tony’s lead and just heat up your favorite dairy-free chocolate milk beverage.”
      —> Yes, it describes how exactly I am right now xD
      I’m in love in every hot chocolate 100%!!!

      Reply
    5. Cece Otto on February 1, 2018 10:42 am

      My local Whole Foods in Portland didn’t have the AH!LASKA cocoa mix this year. The only instant cocoa they feature (i.e. I don’t have to add milk to it), is this local company: https://treehousechocolate.com/collections/homepage/products/coconut. I really like it a lot, but I was the company had more than one dairy free option.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on February 1, 2018 10:57 am

        Good to know! Thanks for sharing this one Cece.

        Reply
    6. Jennifer on November 8, 2017 8:52 pm

      Best hot chocolate i’ve Ever had is in Colombia. And it’s dairy free. Some months ago I started craving it and googled to see if I could make it here in Hawaii. No luck so far

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 9, 2017 10:35 am

        Do you know how it’s made or what the brand is?

        Reply
    7. Emma on June 3, 2017 11:41 pm

      I have to be soya and egg free too and a lot of replacements contain soya.
      I warm up some rice milk then add Alpro chocolate hazelnut ice cream. Tastes delicious.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 5, 2017 8:09 am

        Great idea Emma!

        Reply
    8. Theresa Doyle on March 8, 2017 6:40 am

      I am a celiac and also Lactose free Dairy

      I am trying to find Drinking Chocolate and also Cream which I would use in my Garlic Potato recipe

      Can you help please

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on March 8, 2017 6:53 am

        Please read the post above for drinking chocolate options Theresa (they are included in this list). And see this post for information on cream: http://www.godairyfree.org/dairy-substitutes/how-to-substitute-cream

        Reply
    9. S on December 15, 2016 7:17 pm

      What about good ole fashioned Hershey’s syrup? Non-dairy and very easy to find if you don’t have access to specialty stores for some of the other products.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 16, 2016 8:44 am

        Yep, it works. As noted in the comments, I didn’t recommend it due to the ingredients, but it is dairy-free.

        Reply
    10. Elizabeth DiBurro on November 28, 2016 8:31 am

      I had no idea that there were so many dairy free hot cocoa options!! Thanks for taking the time to research them all.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 29, 2016 7:31 am

        Unbelievable, isn’t it? Every year, the list grows, too.

        Reply
    11. Sarah on November 27, 2016 12:38 pm

      In the UK Nesquik hot chocolate doesn’t contain dairy. It’s been a great treat for my son and I ☕️

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 27, 2016 12:43 pm

        Thanks for sharing this Sarah!

        Reply
    12. Laura on November 27, 2016 12:11 pm

      Where can you buy the diary free hot chocolates please x

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 27, 2016 12:43 pm

        The post includes links for each one Laura – just click through for purchase. Most of these are U.S. / Canada brands.

        Reply
    13. Shane on December 13, 2015 2:34 pm

      Great Article, Thanks Alisa!

      We found this amazing recipe on Youtube as well. It uses the Silly Cow Chocolate/Chocolate Cocoa. The kids loved it!

      https://youtu.be/I5G_uc9600g

      Reply
    14. Seth Merwin on November 29, 2015 8:57 am

      Thank you so much for this! I’ve been allergic to dairy for 14 years- my whole life. Every year when we put our Christmas tree up my whole family has hot chocolate, its pretty much a tradition. Now I can enjoy it with them!

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 29, 2015 1:32 pm

        That’s awesome Seth! Glad I can help.

        Reply
    15. Pingback: Caldo Chocolate – Vegan Drinking Chocolate

    16. theresa martin on August 21, 2015 5:40 am

      Have you checked into enjoy life brand free of milk,soy and some other food allergens.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on August 24, 2015 1:34 pm

        Yes, you will see Enjoy Life chocolate used in many recipes on this website! Unfortunately, they don’t have a hot chocolate as of yet though 🙁

        Reply
    17. Amanda Tillack on December 26, 2014 3:46 pm

      Archer Farms has dairy free packets 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 26, 2014 4:04 pm

        Fantastic! Is that a Target-exclusive brand?

        Reply
    18. Hannah (BitterSweet) on December 25, 2014 12:09 pm

      What a great resource- There’s never a bad time for hot chocolate, even during the warm winters of Hawaii. 🙂

      Merry Christmas, Alisa!

      Reply
      • Jennifer on November 8, 2017 8:51 pm

        ???

        Reply
    19. Carolina on December 25, 2014 8:48 am

      Hello,
      Is there any Hershey products that are good for hot chocolate?

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on December 26, 2014 4:06 pm

        Hi Carolina, you can use Hershey’s unsweetened cocoa to make your own dairy-free hot chocolate as noted in the post. Their chocolate syrup (for drizzling in) is also dairy-free by ingredients, but the ingredients are pretty questionable! I’d recommend a better quality brand if possible.

        Reply
    20. Darcy on December 16, 2013 5:06 pm

      I just looked up the Ghirardelli ingredients and all of their instant hot cocoa/chocolate have dairy in them. The only thing that doesn’t is the sweet ground cocoa.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on June 1, 2014 1:58 pm

        Hi Darcy, I’m so sorry for this massive delay in responding – it seems your comment was caught in spam and I just found it. It does look like Ghirardelli has changed their hot cocoa line. Thank you for the note! I am updating this post now with new information.

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    Over 50 Delicious Vegan Breakfast Recipes for Mother's Day and Beyond! Dairy-free, egg-free, and tons of gluten-free options.

    50 Sensational Vegan Breakfast Recipes for Mom

    Dairy-Free Ricotta Cheese Substitute - fast, easy, healthy, and delicious! Higher in protein but lower in calories, fat, and carbs than dairy ricotta! Naturally gluten-free, nut-free, and vegan, too.

    Dairy-Free Ricotta Cheese Alternative in 5 Minutes or Less!

    Enjoy Life FoodsEat dairy free book
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2023 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.