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.
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!
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. 😉
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!
P says
Absolutely delicious and so easy. Thank you.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!
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!
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. 😉
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.
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!
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..
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! 😉
Agness of Run Agness Run says
Yummy, this chocolate milk seems so finger-licking, Tracy!
Tracy says
Thanks, Agness!!
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!
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!!
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!
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!
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
D J Richert says
You also include a couple drops of pure vanilla extract or it’s not really good.