Whether it is served hot or cold, chocolate milk is more than just a childhood favorite for many people. It's also a fantastic source of many essential nutrients.

The good news is that you don't need a bottle of chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk at home because you can make it easily from scratch. Natural cocoa powder is used in this recipe, along with a small amount of sugar for sweetness. For sure, its taste will be adored by both children and adults.

How To Make Chocolate Milk

Homemade chocolate milk can be made in a few simple ways. The ingredients in the recipe below are stirred by hand, but a blender could also be used. A different approach would be to combine all the ingredients in a jar that has a lid. Just add the ingredients, cover with the lid, and shake vigorously!

Here are two easy ways to make your own chocolate milk:

Making Syrup for Chocolate Milk

Mix the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. In a little saucepan, add the sugar. Add a pinch of salt and the unsweetened cocoa powder. Using a whisk, combine all the ingredients.

• Lots of chocolate syrup will be produced by this recipe, which you can mix with regular milk.

Add the water and stir. If the mixture appears too watery and not syrupy, don't worry. The following step will help it become thicker!

Heat up the syrup. Over medium-high to high heat, stir the syrup occasionally as it comes to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer once the syrup begins to boil. For one minute, cook the syrup. It may appear to be thickening at this point.

Add the vanilla extract and stir. Although it is not entirely necessary, this will help the chocolate milk taste better.

Before putting the syrup in the refrigerator, let it cool. This will require some time. You can quickly chill it by placing it in front of a fan or an ice bath. Pour it into a fresh bottle or jar once it has cooled. Place the syrup in the fridge after securing the cap.

• Never put hot syrup in the refrigerator. It can alter the temperature inside and taint nearby food.

Create chocolate milk using syrup. Pour one cup of milk into a glass to make chocolate milk. Stir well after adding 2 tablespoons of your homemade chocolate syrup. 

• Make chocolate milk in a mug and heat it in the microwave if you want hot chocolate.
• Pour 1 cup of milk, 1/4 cup of chocolate syrup, and 2 cups of vanilla ice cream into a blender to make a chocolate milkshake.

Making Powder Mix for Chocolate Milk

Mix the sugar, cocoa powder, and salt. This can be done in a blender or food processor. You can combine everything in a jar, seal it, and shake it.

Keep the chocolate powder in a tightly sealed container. The powder can be stored in a glass jar or a plastic box with a tight-fitting lid. This chocolate milk powder mix will last several servings. 

Mix some chocolate milk powder with warm water. Measure 1 to 2 tablespoons of your chocolate powder and pour it into a glass when you're ready to make some chocolate milk. To help the powder dissolve, add 1 to 2 tablespoons of warm water and stir.

Add milk to the remaining space in the glass. Pour 1 cup of milk into the glass after the powder has dissolved. After giving it a stir, sip the chocolate milk.

• Save the remaining chocolate milk powder for another time.

Serve the drink. Take advantage of it while it is still cold. Add some ice cubes to make it even more cooling.

Foods To Pair With Chocolate Milk

Chocolate milk has a smooth sweetness that complements salty foods or balances out a sweet dish. Here are some other ingredients and foods to eat with chocolate milk, whether you're drinking it straight or making a dessert with it:

What foods pair well with chocolate milk?

• marshmallows + graham crackers + chocolate milk
• cream + almonds + chocolate milk
• caramel + coffee + praline + chocolate milk
• mint + cherries + chocolate milk
• vanilla + lavender + chocolate milk
• vanilla + rum + chocolate milk

What snacks pair well with chocolate milk?

The following are some of the best chocolate milk snack ideas:

• Hummus with toasted pita chips
• Mustard-flavored soft and salty pretzel
• Celery and raisins with peanut butter
• Potato chips or salted french fries

What breakfast foods complement chocolate milk?

These breakfast classics can be served with chocolate milk, in addition to simple toast or biscuits:

• cereal
• waffles
• fruits
• pancakes
• cupcakes
• scones
• oatmeal
• doughnuts

Benefits of Drinking Chocolate Milk

Nutrient-dense

A cup of chocolate milk typically contains 180-210 calories. Protein, carbohydrate, sugar, fat, calcium, vitamin D, potassium, phosphorus, and riboflavin are all found in chocolate milk. It also has a lower concentration of zinc, magnesium, iodine, vitamin A, B1, B6, and B12. These nutrients are essential for body growth and overall health.

Energizing

Carbohydrates provide energy to the muscles, allowing them to perform tasks. Chocolate milk is a good source of protein and carbohydrates and aids in quickly replenishing your energy reserves. Chocolate milk has a protein to carbohydrate ratio of 4:1, which is unique among energy drinks. Each serving of chocolate milk contains between 20 and 30 grams of carbohydrates. This amount of carbohydrates will give you enough energy to get through the day.

Good for the Skin

The impact chocolate milk has on your skin is among its key advantages. The proteins in milk, potassium, vitamins A and B-6, and potassium help maintain the skin's smoothness while strengthening it. The retention of water by the skin, which prevents wrinkles, and an increase in the production of new skin cells, which replace older, damaged cells, make vitamin A important for maintaining healthy skin. These advantages extend to your hair as well.

Improves Brain Function

According to a study, eating milk chocolate helped people better remember things, solve problems, and pay attention to details. These advantages are brought about by the high levels of procyanidin and thiamin found in chocolate. Procyanidin lessens brain inflammation, whereas thiamin (vitamin B1) gives the brain energy.

Good for the Heart

Another study found that regular chocolate consumption is associated with lower heart disease and stroke risk. Eating a lot of chocolate is linked to a 29 percent lower risk of heart disease. Reducing blood clot risk, raising brain blood flow, and lowering blood pressure can also enhance heart health.

Conclusion

This beverage may have some advantages for your bones and muscles. Still, its high sugar content may also worsen conditions like adult-onset heart disease and childhood obesity. That said, it is best to occasionally enjoy chocolate milk as a treat rather than drinking it daily.

Try these recipes and enjoy your healthy chocolate drink!