Frozen Hot Chocolate

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Chocolate heaven, insanely delicious, and easy to make, this frozen hot chocolate is perfect to cool you down and warm your heart!

frozen chocolate drink with whipped cream and chocolate drizzle on top.

Today (January 31st) is National Hot Chocolate Day! Well, it’s freezing temperatures in Houston, so we’re celebrating with Frozen Hot Chocolate!

I was first introduced to this chocolatey goodness at Serendipity 3 in New York City. Oprah deemed their Frozen Hot Chocolate as one of her “Favorite Things,” so you know I had to make it my mission to try one on my next visit to the city. Let me tell ya…it was love at first sip!

frozen hot chocolate with two sets of straws, one pair of red and one pair of blue in a decorative cup

Every visit to the city since has required a visit to this little gem! They go all out for the holidays with their decor and have a lot more yummy goodies other than their Frozen Hot Chocolate. My second favorite is their Strawberry Fields Sundae: Cheesecake, Strawberry Ice Cream, and Strawberry Topping with Whipped Cream!

a collage of the author and family enjoying frozen hot chocolate — Top Left & Clockwise: My daughter & I with an FHC, their Strawberry Fields Sundae, my hubby and I on a visit with both of those desserts, and the owner of Serendipity 3.

When we opened our restaurant Thyme on Broadway in 2015, we found at a food show that Ghirardelli sold a Frozen Hot Chocolate mix! It was an instant addition to our drink menu. Serendipity 3 sells one as well, but not in the bulk size we needed for the restaurant. It is the best blend of bittersweet chocolate notes balanced with the right amount of sweetness. The Frozen Hot Chocolate was our #1 seller at the restaurant, and I always make sure there’s a container in my pantry for celebrations or when that sweet craving hits!

frozen hot chocolate displayed in front of a restaurant menu

Table of Contents

What You’ll Need

Ghirardelli Frozen Hot Chocolate Mix (This canister will make 15 drinks.)
Milk
Ice
Optional: Whipped Cream and Garnishes (noted below)

ghirardelli frozen hot chocolate mix, milk and ice

Tools You’ll Need

How to Make This Recipe

The brand of blender and type of ice will make the ice amount and time to blend vary. (See tips below) To the blender, add milk, ice (start with 1 cup), then the frozen hot chocolate mix. Blend until the ice is crushed fine and the mixture billows smoothly from the sides through the middle of the blender. If too thin, add more ice and blend again. Too thick, add a little milk.
Pour in a cup and top with whipped cream and desired garnishes.

Tips and Substitutions

You can get creative with garnishes:
- Chocolate sauce
- Caramel
- Chocolate Shavings
- Sprinkles
- Strawberry Syrup
- Mini marshmallows
- Fresh Berries
There is also a Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix that is sold in some stores. It has directions for a Frozen Hot Chocolate on the back. In a pinch, I’d use this…but the Frozen Hot Chocolate mix is our preference.
The type of ice makes a difference in the texture and cohesiveness of the blend. I recommend a firmer large chunk of ice rather than a rabbit size, shaved, or crushed ice. They yield a more watery result.
The type of blender makes a difference in the time to blend and the smoothness of the ice. At the restaurant, we tried a few brands and found that Vitamix hands down made the best blend. While they still yielded a yummy result, we found that the cheaper blenders lent a chunkier ice and a less desirable texture. Of course, you can still use whatever blender you have on hand and it will still taste scrumptious.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this diabetic or keto-friendly?

Yes! It won't be a Ghirardelli Frozen Hot Chocolate, but try this homemade mix recipe
½ cup milk or milk substitute (almond, soy, oat, or powdered milk works fine)
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder. For a more authentic flavor, use Ghirardelli
¼ teaspoon of salt to make the chocolate flavor pop
¾ cup of a sugar substitute, such as Splenda, stevia, or any other sweetener that measures cup for cup like sugar

What else can I add to the mix to change up the flavor?

You can add some cinnamon to the mix to give it that Mexican Chocolate flare or mint extract to give it a peppermint or Andes chocolate feel. Try a splash of vanilla for a decadent taste!

frozen hot chocolate drizzled with chocolate sauce on a decorative display

Recipe Like This

This is a picture of a cup of brown frozen hot chocolate, topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate.

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