Advertisement

Frozen Hot Chocolate

An icon representing a clock 20 min | easy | gluten-free, vegetarian
Glass mug of frozen hot chocolate with a thick, slushy chocolate drink and a tall swirl of whipped cream on top; a second mug is blurred in the background on a light marble surface.
Updated Oct 28, 2025
Prep Time Cook Time Total Time
15 min 5 min 20 min
Rate/Review

Introduction

This frozen hot chocolate tastes like your favorite cozy winter drink blended into a thick, creamy milkshake.

It’s rich with real cocoa and melted chocolate chips, plus ice cream for that extra-indulgent, frosty finish.

Serve it as a fun after-school treat, an easy dessert for guests, or a cool twist on hot chocolate night.

Ingredients  (3 servings)

Adjust servings:

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Topping

Get Ingredients →

Order the ingredients from your local store for pickup or delivery (US only). You'll check out through Instacart.
When you purchase through this link, we'll receive a small fee at no extra cost to you.

Close-up of a frosty glass mug filled with blended frozen hot chocolate, topped with a tall swirl of whipped cream; a second mug is blurred in the background.

How to Make Frozen Hot Chocolate

  1. Chill the glasses and measure ingredients

    Place two or three tall glasses in the freezer so they get nice and frosty.

    Measure all ingredients so they are ready to go before you start blending.

  2. Melt the chocolate with cocoa and milk

    Add the chocolate chips, cocoa powder, and 1 cup of the milk to a small saucepan.

    Warm over low heat, stirring often, until the chocolate melts and the mixture looks smooth and glossy.

    Do not let it boil, because boiled milk can taste scorched and change the texture.

  3. Cool the chocolate base

    Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the pinch of salt and vanilla extract.

    Let the mixture cool until just slightly warm, about 10 minutes, so it does not melt the ice cream.

  4. Blend everything until frosty

    To a blender, add the cooled chocolate mixture, remaining 1 cup milk, heavy cream, vanilla ice cream, and ice cubes.

    Blend on high until the drink looks thick, smooth, and slushy, with no large ice chunks.

    Taste and adjust sweetness by adding a bit more chocolate chips or ice cream if you like.

  5. Serve with whipped cream

    Pour the frozen hot chocolate into the chilled glasses, dividing it evenly.

    Top each glass with a generous swirl of whipped cream right before serving.

Two clear glass mugs filled with thick, frosty chocolate frozen hot chocolate, each topped with a generous swirl of whipped cream, on a light countertop.

Substitutions

Whole milk -> 2% milk or oat milk
You can swap whole milk with 2% milk for a slightly lighter drink that still tastes creamy. Oat milk gives a similar body and adds a gentle sweetness that works well with chocolate.
Heavy cream -> half-and-half or coconut cream
Use half-and-half if you want a little less richness but still crave that smooth, milkshake-style sip. For a dairy-free twist, coconut cream makes the drink lush and adds a light coconut note.
Milk chocolate chips -> dark chocolate chips
Dark chocolate deepens the cocoa flavor and keeps the drink from tasting overly sweet. The frozen hot chocolate will still blend smoothly and feel just as indulgent.
Melted chocolate mixture being poured into a blender jar containing ice cubes, a scoop of vanilla ice cream, and a little milk, starting the frozen hot chocolate.

Tips

Use a powerful blender
A high-speed blender crushes the ice quickly, so the drink turns slushy instead of icy and chunky. If your blender is weaker, blend longer and pause to scrape the sides.
Adjust thickness to your taste
For a thicker, milkshake-style drink, add more ice cream or a few extra ice cubes. For a looser texture, splash in a bit more cold milk and blend again.
Do not overheat the chocolate
Keep the heat low and remove the pan as soon as the chocolate melts completely. Overheating can cause the chocolate to seize and turn grainy.
Cool the base before blending
If the chocolate mixture is too hot, it will melt the ice and ice cream right away. Letting it cool gives you that perfect frosty, thick texture.
Chill your glasses
Frozen glasses keep the drink colder longer and prevent quick melting at the edges. It also makes the presentation feel a little extra special.

Nutrition Facts *

Energy 694 kcal
Protein 12 g
Total Fat 47 g
Carbohydrates 70 g
Dietary Fiber 6 g

* Approximate, per serving.
Data source: USDA FoodData Central.

FAQ

What should I do if my frozen hot chocolate turns out too thin?
Blend in a few more ice cubes or another scoop of ice cream to thicken it. You can also add a small handful of extra chocolate chips for body.
How can I fix it if the drink is too thick to pour?
Stop the blender and splash in a little more cold milk or a spoonful of cream. Blend again just until everything moves easily and looks silky.
Why does my chocolate mixture look grainy or separated?
Grainy texture usually means the chocolate overheated and started to seize. Remove it from the heat and whisk in a splash of milk until it smooths out.
Can I make this frozen hot chocolate ahead of time?
The blended drink is best right away, because the ice slowly melts and waters it down. You can make the chocolate base several hours ahead and chill it, then blend to order.

Serving Suggestions

A drizzle of chocolate syrup or a sprinkle of cocoa powder on the whipped cream adds a pretty cafe-style touch.

Pair your frozen hot chocolate with salty snacks like popcorn or pretzels for a fun movie night contrast.

For a grown-up twist, blend in a shot of chilled espresso to create a mocha style version.

Profile picture of Eunice

Recipe by Eunice.
“I learned to cook by standing in my grandma’s kitchen, watching her turn simple ingredients into meals that fed our entire family. That’s where it started. Today, I create recipes for real life, real kitchens, and anyone who wants good food without overthinking it.” Read more.

Reviews

  • Nicole, Albuquerque, NM: I absolutely love this recipe!!! super rich and creamy and tastes just like hot chocolate in milkshake form. 1 question though. If I wanted to double it for a party, about how many cups does this make total. I've only made it as written for 3 servings and never measured. thanks — 5 ★

    Eunice: Happy it was a hit, Nicole! As written it’s about 3 servings, roughly 3 to 3½ cups total, so doubling should land you around 6 to 7 cups depending on how much the ice cream fluffs it up.

  • Ashley, Omaha: This was pretty good and hit the spot for a quick dessert drink, though it was a little richer than I expected. The “cool the chocolate base” step wasn’t super clear to me. I wasn’t sure if it should be room temp or actually chilled, and mine still melted the ice cream a bit and made it thinner. Next time I’d chill the chocolate mixture in the fridge for a few minutes (stirring once or twice) before blending, and I’d also swap the ice cubes for crushed ice so it slushes up faster. — 3 ★

    Eunice: Happy it hit the spot, Ashley!

Made this recipe? How did it go?

Please post your feedback and pictures here. We’d love to hear from you!

More to Try

Browse Recipes

Dietary Pattern

Event

Season

Cuisine

Type of Dish

Course

Drinks

Equipment

Other