Instant Hot Cocoa Coffee

Instant Hot Cocoa Coffee in a cup

The Spruce / Julia Estrada

Prep: 2 mins
Cook: 2 mins
Total: 4 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cup

This quick and easy recipe for instant coffee-flavored hot cocoa is ideal for a fast fix. Some people crave a mocha but don't want to get dressed and head to a coffee house. Save time as well as several dollars by making it at home in just a couple of minutes.

This is a convenient recipe to keep in mind at work, school, traveling, or camping when there isn't access to a kitchen or coffee stand. Instant coffee may not taste great on its own, but it'll satisfy the coffee fix. Adding cocoa and cinnamon can make a world of difference.

Cocoa mixes may be those that have dry milk included (only needing water) or those that require being mixed with milk. It's up to you which will be more convenient. Substituting soy milk or another milk alternative is possible for those avoiding milk products.

"The mixture of coffee and chocolate with cinnamon was very good. It was super easy to prepare and an excellent drink for the cold fall and winter days. I used milk, but you might want to use water if the cocoa mix includes dry milk powder." —Diana Rattray

Instant Hot Cocoa Coffee Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk (or water)

  • 1 ounce hot cocoa mix (approximately 2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon)

  • 1 1/2 to 2 teaspoons instant coffee

  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Instant Hot Cocoa Coffee ingredients

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

  2. Bring the milk (or water) to a simmer.

    heating milk in a small saucepan

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

  3. Place the cocoa mix and instant coffee granules in amounts for one serving (as directed by each) into an empty mug, along with the cinnamon.

    cocoa and instant coffee mixed together in a mug

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

  4. Stir in a small amount of the heated milk to create a paste with the coffee mixture. This is easier to do with a fork than it is with a spoon.

    mix milk with cocoa and coffee mixture

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

  5. Gradually add the rest of the hot liquid, while stirring. Serve hot.

    pouring milk into a cup of Instant Hot Cocoa Coffee

    The Spruce / Julia Estrada

Tip

Some hot cocoa mixes contain milk powder and might require more powder per serving. Check the package directions for the amount required for 1 cup.

Recipe Variations

  • For those who like to have this coffee cocoa often, mix the dry ingredients ahead of time, and keep them in an airtight container. Just before measuring it out, shake the mocha mix to ensure it is still well-mixed.
  • If you want more chocolate flavor, increase the amount of cocoa mix.
  • This recipe has a significant amount of cinnamon, so feel free to adjust the amount. A little cinnamon gives cocoa a nice gourmet zing, but it's not for everybody. Using a cinnamon stick to stir the cocoa is another option. For the holidays, a candy cane can be used as a stirring stick, adding a peppermint flavor to the cup.
  • For vegan hot coffee cocoa, use a dairy-free hot cocoa mix and almond milk, soy milk, or another milk substitute.
  • Add a few drops of vanilla extract to the cocoa along with the cinnamon.

What Does a Simmer Look Like?

To simmer the milk, place it over medium-low heat and cook until you begin to see a bubble or two come to the top every few seconds.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
116 Calories
1g Fat
25g Carbs
2g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 116
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 1g 1%
Saturated Fat 1g 3%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 143mg 6%
Total Carbohydrate 25g 9%
Dietary Fiber 2g 6%
Total Sugars 19g
Protein 2g
Vitamin C 0mg 1%
Calcium 51mg 4%
Iron 0mg 2%
Potassium 210mg 4%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

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