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.
Susan says
Wow, a quick and easy recipe AND a science-backed justification for treating myself? Amazing! Haha. Thank you!
Just made it with oat milk and Splenda. I know that probably defeats the purpose if you’re going for big protein, but oat milk does have calcium and lots of other nutrients… 😉 Used two packets of Splenda, which is equivalent to 1 1/3 tbsps of “sugar”. Result: delicious! I’ve bookmarked your page for the next time this craving hits. 🙂
Christina says
Perfect!!!! So quick and easy. I know I need milk for calcium but it’s so difficult for me to drink it straight and I don’t really care for Nesquik so I don’t drink it, give it to my kiddo or even keep it in our home. Thank you so very much for this incredible recipe.
Tracy says
So happy you enjoyed it, Christina!!
allan says
it was very nice thank you.
Tracy says
So glad you enjoyed it!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!