This recipe for Chocolate Milk for One makes one cup of amazing, delicious, really good chocolate milk with just four ingredients.
Hey, did you know that (under very specific circumstances) chocolate milk can be considered a “health food”?
A couple summers ago, I was putting on some serious running mileage and struggling with crashing after my long runs. I did a little research and discovered that the most easily accessible recommended recovery drink for distance runners is actually chocolate milk!
Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?! <–That was my reaction.
I added 8 to 12 ounces of chocolate milk to the end of anything over 12 miles and I never crashed again. It was *amazing*. Plus, my local dairy sells some absolutely killer chocolate milk, so it was fun to have an excuse to indulge.
Two years and an injury later, and my long runs are not all that long anymore, so I don’t have a good excuse to buy a gallon of the stuff. But I still get a craving for some really good chocolate milk every once in a while.
So now I make just one cup.
This recipe makes 8 ounces of really good chocolate milk. And you can make it in your microwave.
There are only four ingredients, milk (the higher fat the tastier), cocoa powder, sugar, and a tiny bit of water. You heat 1/4 of the milk with the rest of the ingredients to make a chocolate syrup and then mix it with the remaining milk which cools everything down so it’s ready within about two minutes.
It’s great if you need a long-run recovery drink–just throw it together while you are shoveling down breakfast, and have it waiting in the fridge for when you can back.
And it’s perfect if you are just craving a glass of chocolate milk, because maybe your long run wasn’t all that long today, but darn it, you still deserve something delicious. 😉
Chocolate Milk for One
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon (5g) cocoa powder*
- 1 tablespoon water
- 1 cup milk , divided (any percentage*)
- 1 tablespoon (12g) sugar
Instructions
- In a microwave-safe cup or mug, combine cocoa powder and water. Microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, until steaming, and stir until very smooth. Add 1/4 cup of the milk and the sugar, and microwave for an additional 15 to 30 seconds, until steaming. Stir until completely mixed. Stir in remaining milk and enjoy.
Notes
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission if you make a purchase using them. There is absolutely no additional cost to you.
Vicky @ Avocado Pesto says
Never would have guessed that chocolate milk would be great for long distance runners! Probably haven’t had a glass myself since I was about 8! It’s been a while
Tracy says
I hadn’t had it since I was a kid too. I wasn’t even sure if I liked chocolate milk anymore or not when I first tried it again. But then it was like oh wait, I DEFINITELY DO. 😉
Adianna says
Yea i haven’t had chocolate milk for a long time and its so good
Matt @ Plating Pixels says
Yum! Love that’s it’s just a few natural ingredients. Lovely photos too.
Tracy says
Thank you, Matt!!
Alexander Pruss says
I dislike milk, and yet need the calcium, so for the past month I’ve been regularly drinking a variant of this recipe. My variation is that I haven’t been bothering to heat the 1/4 portion of milk (after the initial heating of the water + cocoa + sugar). I’m also using a bit more milk than in the recipe–a mug instead of 8 oz. I prefer the taste of store-bought chocolate milk (store-bought has less of a milky flavor), but this is slightly cheaper, and doesn’t take up extra fridge space.
Today I found that I could simplify the recipe even more: just skip the microwaving entirely. I think it tasted more or less the same, though stirring took a bit longer and there were a few more lumps. I am thinking the microwaving is not worth the effort.
Tomorrow I will experiment by skipping water, to have one fewer ingredient to deal with. 🙂
Tracy says
Glad to hear the recipe worked out for you!
Luci's Morsels says
What a great idea and this looks delicious! I had no idea that it was acceptable and helpful to drink chocolate after running! Thanks for that tip! I can’t wait to try this! Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Tracy says
Thanks, Luci!
Lucy @ Supergoldenbakes says
Well who would have believed it. That little fact has made my day. Love this recipe – so simple and perfectly sized.
Tracy says
Hehe, so glad I could share it with you then. 😉 Thanks, Lucy!!
Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says
I love having recipes for single servings of treats like this– makes it easy to just have that amount!
Tracy says
Right!? Thanks, Michelle!
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy, this chocolate milk seems so finger-licking, Tracy!
Tracy says
Thanks, Agness!!
NickSurplus says
Damn near drank the whole glass before I even made it out the kitchen!
Tracy says
Hehe, well at least it sounds like you enjoyed it! 😉
Parbynarble says
Omg….this is wonderful!!!
Tracy says
Thank you!!
Jennifer Barr says
My grand baby is sick and wanted chocolate milk so it was unacceptable, when I went looking for chocolate syrup or nestle quick, (Just saw some 2 days ago in my kitchen) and there wasn’t any. Thank you. Sick baby is gonna get his chocolate milk. Even if Mimi had to wrestle a billy goat..
Faith says
This is such a great convienient recipe! I love how it makes the perfect amount. I was so sore before I drank it and I almost can’t believe how much better I feel immediately after a cup
This actually explains why they always give out chocolate milk after meets… thank you so much 4 this recipe!
Tracy says
It’s amazing what some carbs and protein will do for you. 😉 So glad you enjoyed this, Faith!
Barbera Stevens says
Thank you for this recipe. This chocolate milk tastes so much better than the stuff made with syrup.
I do have some advice to eliminate the chocolate lumps. Mix the sugar into the cocoa and water before adding any milk. The sugar raises the melting temperature of the cocoa water and leaves you with a syrup. When the milk is added, it mixes together with no lumps.
Tracy says
Thank you. So happy you enjoyed it! And thanks for the tip. Absolutely trying it the next time I make this!
Paula says
I also added sugar and water in first step and only microwaved 20 secs total. I thought a little too much cocoa and could decrease a little or add more almond milk. I made dairy free version.
Henry says
This was the best chocolate milk I have ever tasted!! I made it far a smoothie, and I just HAD to try some and by the end, there was none left over for the smoothie. 🙂
Tracy says
LOL. Glad you enjoyed the recipe, even if non of it made it into your smoothie. 😉
Kg says
I would suggest adding just a tiny bit of vanilla extract in there too, really brings out that classic cocoa taste
Tracy says
Agreed. This is excellent advice!
P says
Absolutely delicious and so easy. Thank you.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Brett says
I’m pregnant and was intensely craving Nesquik. This was honestly exactly what I needed. THANK YOU! 🙂
Tracy says
Aw, so glad this was able to hit the spot!
Miles Stone says
Accidentally used my Mayan cocoa powder, but the kick of spice at the end of the sip is actually quite nice.
Tracy says
Glad you enjoyed it. Mayan cocoa powder sounds like an excellent accident. 😉
Brae says
This is a helpful recipe and healthier. Thanks! Easy to follow. Was looking for recipe of how make it. So again, thanks!
Tracy says
Thanks, Brae! So glad you enjoyed it!
Daisy Frey says
Makes it way better if you add a sprinkle of salt, trust me, you’ll be happy you did it. It balances out the flavors and brings it all together. If it makes you feel any better, just think about salted caramel when you do it. Most people don’t realize that you need salt in your sweets, they won’t be right without it. But this is definitely better than Hershey’s; they need to step up their game. Their syrup is nasty…
Amber says
Craving chocolate milk and forgot to pick up mix, this was surprisingly good!
Tracy says
Glad you enjoyed it, Amber!
Julie says
Thanks for the smile that I needed right about now
Tracy says
Happy to help! 🙂
Jessica says
Delicious! Now I don’t need to buy chocolate milk separately! Thank you!
Aria says
It was so delicious!! Can’t wait to make it again!!
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Raena says
Hi Tracy,
I stumbled across your recipe last night while looking for a gluten free chocolate milk mix. My daughter and I both have issues with wheat and gluten. We have not had chocolate milk in years do to this becasue so many store bought chocolate milk mixes either contain wheat or could possibly.
We tried your recipe this mornng… I have to say it is the best choclate milk I have ever had!! We made it using hershey’s dark cocoa powder. I hope you don’t mind… have printed your recipe and labeled it Tracy’s Delicous Choclate Milk and it is going in the family cookbook!
Thank you again for this most wonder recipe!!! : )
Raena
Tracy says
This comment genuinely made my day! Thank you so much, and I’m so thrilled that you and your daughter enjoyed the recipe!!
Christy says
Yum! I like the short ingredient list. Much healthier better than store mixes.
Frances Hale says
This is delicious, but I preferred mine over some ice.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!
Abigail says
My chocolate milk wasn’t as good Mostly because I used the Hershey’s cocoa powder and I gave it a like a weird tasting but if I would’ve use regular cocoa powder it would’ve made it taste a lot more like chocolate milk so I’m still gonna give it a good rating and I hope that I can see more of your recipes in the future future.
daaniya says
Best chocolate milk ever!! Not complicated at all and tastes so good.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!!
Linda Muse says
I googled “How to make chocolate milk with cocoa powder” and yours was one of tree recipes I decided to try. I tried yours first and still have yet to try the others! I was thrilled to have a recipe for just one glass and this was just what I was wanting. It’s just the hubs and me now, and I’m excited find recipes that are on a smaller scale. I look forward to browsing through your recipes!
Kay says
I don’t own a microwave, so can I use a saucepan instead? So excited to try this recipe!
Tracy says
Yup, you can make it in a saucepan no problem. Hope you enjoy it!
Liz says
When I had first made it it was a bit bitter so this time I made it with 3 tablespoons of sugar and it tasted so much better
Tracy says
So glad you figured out how to make it work for you, Liz!
Kate says
So rarely do I try a random recipe online and immediately think, “Oh, HECK yeah!” And yet, that was my reaction to this recipe 🙂
So great and simple!
Tracy says
Lol! So happy to hear it, Kate!
Mark says
What would the measurements be for multiple servings and how would you go about storing it?
Tracy says
Click on the number of servings in the recipe card, and it will automatically adjust the ingredient amounts. For storage, just store in an airtight container (like a mason jar) in the fridge. Give it a good shake before serving because it will separate a little while sitting.
Leo says
Chocolate milk is chocolate milk, right? WRONG. This recipe is so much better than storebought. I’m often really picky about the taste or texture of things with preservatives or smoothers, or some of the other things that storebought chocolate milk or chocolate syrup have in them, but I’ve been craving choccy milk because of the heat here, so I decided to try this out and it’s really good! Some slight clarification, for anyone out there who’s an overthinker like I am: use baking cocoa, not hot chocolate mix! Although hot chocolate mix makes a pretty good cold drink too…
Tracy says
Lol I’m so glad this hit the spot!
Hayden says
I did know that chocolate milk was one of the best post exercise recovery. However, i could not find a good recipe anywhere and couldn’t keep wasting money on it. Best chocolate milk i’ve ever had!
Tom D says
I like my chocolate milk ice cold. Warm milk is a no go for me. Stuck in the freezer for 15 minutes. I would agree with adding a little salt and vanilla also. Much prefer the syrup, buy since I was out, this is good in an emergency.
Ella says
This is a really good, easy recipe. Next time, I am going to add more sugar and less cocoa powder because it was a little bitter. Definitely saving this recipe!
Aimee says
Such a great and simple recipe, thank you so much for sharing ☺️ I was craving chocolate milk this morning, wanted to reminisce a bit, eat a pb&j sandwich with some chocolate milk but no chocolate milk or chocolate. Luckily I had 100% cocoa and whole milk (yay!). Anyone who stumbles upon this recipe, definitely try it. Don’t settle for nasty syrups or sugar loaded cocoa.
Robert Martin says
I love making healthy bran type muffins with natuaral bran and other grains. I used to use chocolate milk from the dairy but now I make my own with your recipe. To make it easier I now add the cocoa with the dry ingredients. I add (mix) the cocoa to my flour and brown sugar. I rarely have buttermilk on hand so I add 1 tablespoon vinegar to the milk.
allan says
it was very nice thank you.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!