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The Absolute Best Chocolate Milk You’ll Ever Drink

Olivia Mack McCool
Olivia Mack McCool
Olivia is a food stylist, recipe developer and mom based in NYC. If she’s not on set making recipes come to life in front of the camera, she’s developing them in her tiny kitchen. All of her recipes have passed a few tests: easy, delicious, and approachable — on occasion baby-approved as well!
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published Feb 9, 2022
Eat

Turn this classic childhood drink into a decadent, chocolatey treat.

Serves16

Makesabout 2 cups

Prep5 minutes

Cook5 minutes

Jump to Recipe
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Chocolate milk in a glass, with a ball jar with chocolate sauce in the background, on a marble surface.
Credit: Olivia Mack McCool

A cold glass of chocolate milk is hard to beat. Sure, you can buy a bottle of the premade stuff or even chocolate syrup. But for the chocolate milk enthusiast looking to level up, this recipe is for you. It makes a big batch of seriously delicious chocolate syrup that can be kept on hand for whenever the craving for your favorite childhood beverage strikes. And it’s leaps and bounds better than the store-bought stuff. 

How to Make Chocolate Milk

This chocolate milk is made by mixing a homemade chocolate syrup into a cold glass of milk. The syrup comes together quickly in a saucepan and is decanted into a lidded jar that will live in the refrigerator until you’re ready to whisk it into the milk. 

Things to Make with Chocolate Milk

A glass of chocolate milk straight-up is a treat in itself. But it’s also great poured into either hot coffee or iced coffee, and it really elevates a milk and cookies moment. 

Credit: Olivia Mack McCool

Ingredients in Chocolate Milk

This chocolate milk has very simple ingredients.

  • The syrup: The syrup is made from granulated sugar, water, Dutch-process cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and a little bit of salt.
  • The milk: The ever-important milk is the last ingredient. You can choose any kind of milk your heart desires. Just know that the more fat content, the creamier your chocolate milk will be. 

Chocolate Milk Recipe

Turn this classic childhood drink into a decadent, chocolatey treat.

Prep time 5 minutes

Cook time 5 minutes

Makes about 2 cups

Serves 16

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 cup

    granulated sugar

  • 1 cup

    water

  • 1 cup

    Dutch-process unsweetened cocoa powder

  • 1 teaspoon

    vanilla extract

  • 1/4 teaspoon

    kosher salt

  • Cold milk, for serving

Instructions

  1. Place 1 cup granulated sugar, 1 cup water, 1 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium heat. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the syrup is smooth, 2 to 4 minutes. The syrup will coat the back of the spoon and will thicken as it cools.

  2. Transfer the syrup into a jar with a lid and let cool, uncovered. Refrigerate for up to 3 months.

  3. To make a glass of chocolate milk, place 1 1/2 cups milk and 2 tablespoons chocolate syrup in a glass and stir until combined. Enjoy!

Recipe Notes

Storage: The chocolate syrup can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Rewarm slightly in the microwave to loosen before using.

This post originally ran on Kitchn. See it there: Best-Ever Chocolate Milk