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Homemade Chocolate Syrup

Cold · Classic

Homemade Chocolate Syrup

The syrup behind great chocolate milk, mochas and shakes: five ingredients, 10 minutes, keeps a month in the fridge.

Prep
10 min
Total
10 min
Serves
12
Calories
75

ColdClassicFor a crowdDairy-freeVeganUnder 200 calories

Jump to recipe

Homemade chocolate syrup tastes richer than the bottled kind and has no corn syrup. Two tablespoons makes a glass of chocolate milk.

Ingredients

12 servings

You’ll need: Blender

Method

  1. Whisk the cocoa, sugar and salt in a saucepan.

  2. Whisk in the water until smooth.

  3. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, whisking, and simmer 2-3 minutes until slightly thickened.

  4. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and cool. It thickens as it cools. Store in a jar in the fridge.

Tips

  • Nutrition shown is per 2-tablespoon serving.

  • Keeps up to 1 month refrigerated.

Nutrition per serving, approximate

Calories
75
Protein
1g
Carbs
19g
Sugar
17g
Fiber
1g
Fat
0g
Caffeine
8mg

Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.

Variations

  • Mocha syrup: Replace ¼ cup of the water with strong coffee.

Nutrition at a glance

One serving has about 75 calories, 17 g sugar, 1 g protein and about 8 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.

Storing and reheating

Cold chocolate drinks are best right away. Leftover chocolate milk or syrup-based drinks keep 2-3 days in the fridge; shake before serving. Milkshakes don’t keep: freeze leftovers as ice pops instead.

Choosing your chocolate

For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long does homemade chocolate syrup last?

About a month in a sealed jar in the fridge.

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Gear for this recipe

Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate

A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.

Type
Cocoa powder
Size
8 oz
Cost
about $1 per oz
Make with
Make from scratch
From $8Check price Full review

Guittard Cocoa Rouge (Dutch-Process)

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 · Best for dark, smooth, reddish Dutch-process cocoa for rich drinking chocolate

A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.

Type
Cocoa powder
Size
8 oz
Cost
about $1.60 per oz
Make with
Make from scratch
From $13Check price Full review

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