Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix + Free Gift Tags!
My grandmother made this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe every Christmas for us grandkids. Then my mom picked up the tradition, and now I make it for my kids! They absolutely love it, and this big batch usually lasts us all winter long. Don’t miss the free gift tags at the end of the post!
You’ll see me reference my grandmother and mother a lot on this blog, because in almost every case, the recipes were passed from them to me. This hot cocoa recipe seems extra special because it’s a drink we already associate with the holidays and being surrounded by those we love. Add a recipe that’s been handed down through generations with motherly love, and every sip instantly becomes sweeter.
While it connects me to the women of my family generations before me, now watching my kids enjoy the same delicious treat I did as a child fills me with joy, too! I love that it’s now become a part of their own special memories. It really is the best homemade hot chocolate mix!
And of course, this mix is an awesome DIY gift to pass along to friends throughout the holidays. This hot chocolate recipe is so much better than store-bought mixes. Just portion the mix into a sealed jar or pretty mug, tie on a tag with pretty ribbons, and be ready for requests for this homemade hot chocolate mix recipe. You know where to send them! (See my free gift tags below!)
When to serve homemade hot cocoa
In our family, we enjoy hot cocoa throughout the winter season. It does the trick for holiday movie nights, family game evenings, or curling up with a good book. Those cliche pictures of hot cocoa by the fire are so common for good reason! Few things are better than snuggling up on the couch, sipping hot cocoa, sharing stories about your day and listening to soothing music.
We also love to make a big batch to share with friends during seasonal gatherings, like tree-trimming parties, sledding adventures or caroling nights. Whenever we have hosted holiday potlucks, everyone couldn’t get enough of the hot cocoa.
A comforting cup of hot cocoa and retreating indoors is the remedy to chilly days at home. Socially, this hot cocoa mix is also a great addition to winter parties, especially if you do a hot chocolate bar.
What to serve with homemade hot cocoa
Hot cocoa goes perfectly with other sweet treats like warm peppermint bark cookies or chocolate Andes mint cookies, homemade fudge brownies, or even a slice of old-fashioned chess pie after dinner or as a sweet midday snack. I also love serving it alongside gingerbread, too. All of those flavors complement each other so well.
This mix can be enjoyed on its own, or you can add your favorite toppings like marshmallows, whipped cream, a dash of cinnamon, chocolate chips or chocolate shavings. If you didn’t check out my post about the hot chocolate bar linked above, here’s a list of toppings and other goodies I stock so family and friends can customize their cups.
- marshmallows
- caramel bits
- sprinkles
- toffee bits
- candy canes
- white chocolate syrup
- caramel syrup
- Andes mints
- stroop waffles
- pirouette cookies
- biscotti
Ingredients needed to make this homemade hot cocoa recipe
While the toppings list could be endless, you only need four simple ingredients to make a big batch of the cocoa mix.
- Nestle’s Nesquik Chocolate Flavor Powder: Provides a rich and creamy chocolate base.

- Dry Coffee Creamer: Adds a smooth and creamy texture to the mix.

- Powdered (dry) Milk: Allows for easy preparation by just adding hot water.

- Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness and enhances the overall taste.

Kitchen Equipment Needed
- Very large bowl for mixing
- Large spoon, whisk or spatula
Frequently asked questions about this homemade hot cocoa mix recipe
Here are several common questions and answers about this hot cocoa mix. If you have a question I haven’t covered, leave it in the comments! I will reply as soon as I can.
How long does this hot cocoa mix last?
When stored in an airtight container in a cool, dry place, the mix should last for up to three or even four months. Or at least I have been told that … it usually gets used up faster than that in our family!
Can I adjust the recipe to make it vegan or dairy-free?
You can make this recipe vegan and dairy-free. Replace the Nestle’s Nesquik powder with a vegan or dairy-free chocolate powder, and swap the coffee creamer and powdered milk with plant-based alternatives like coconut milk powder or soy milk powder.
Can I add other flavors to the mix, like peppermint or caramel?
Yep! Besides adding toppings after you’ve made the cocoa, you can also play around with customizing the mix itself by using flavored coffee creamers in place of the plain variety the recipe includes.
A little bit of spice goes a long way, too. Experiment with flavors like nutmeg, cinnamon and cayenne pepper for a little kick.
Hot Cocoa Mix Free Gift Tags with Instructions
One of my family’s favorite things to do is make homemade hot chocolate and gift it at the holidays. It’s an easy, thoughtful and delicious gift to share with friends, neighbors and family. I whipped up some easy-to-print gift tags so you can easily give them away!
Simply buy some mason jars, wash them and dry them well. You don’t want ANY dampness in these jars, so I hand dry them, then let them sit open on the counter for a day or so.
Then fill the jars with the hot cocoa mix recipe, cut out the free gift tags, punch a hole in the top and tie it around the jar with some pretty ribbon! I also included the instructions on the gift tags, so you don’t have to worry about sharing that info. It’s already done for you!
Voila! You have a pretty and thoughtful gift!
More grandma-approved recipes to try
If you enjoyed this recipe for homemade hot cocoa, take a look at some of these other delicious recipes:
Hot Cocoa Mix
Equipment
- Very large mixing bowl
- Large spoon, whisk or spatula
Ingredients
- 2 pounds Nestle's Nesquik chocolate flavor powder
- 11 ounces dry coffee creamer
- 25.6 ounces powdered (dry) milk ~ enough powdered milk to make 8 quarts of milk
- 1 pound powdered sugar
Optional toppings for serving:
- whipped cream
- marshmallows
- sprinkles
- crushed peppermint
- chocolate shavings
Instructions
- Combine all ingredients in a very large mixing bowl and stir until well combined.
- Store in mason jars or other airtight container.
- To use: combine 4 ounces of mix with 8 ounces of hot water and stir well.
- Enjoy with optional toppings like whipped cream, marshmallows, sprinkles, crushed peppermint or chocolate shavings.
Notes
- If giving as a gift, buy some mason jars, wash them and dry them well. You don’t want ANY dampness in these jars, so I hand dry them, then let them sit open on the counter for a day or so. Then fill the jars with the hot cocoa mix, cut out the free gift tags, punch a hole in the top and tie it around the jar with some pretty ribbon! I also included the instructions, so you don’t have to worry about sharing that info. It’s already done for you!
