German Hot Chocolate — Sweet, creamy, and oh-so-warming during the cold seasons! This German recipe will give you Christmas Market vibes from the comfort of your home. It is made with pantry staples, is entirely plant-based, and is ready in just minutes.
💡 The recipe in a nutshell
- A classic German drink made plant-based
- Vegan (eggless and dairy free)
- Quick and easy
- Ready in just minutes
- Creamy, sweet, and warming
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🍫 Difference between German and American hot chocolate
In German, we call hot chocolate "Kakao". It translates simply to cocoa, meaning either the bean, the powder, or hot cocoa. "Kakao" can be drunk hot or cold, and is made out of cocoa powder, or cocoa powder mixes. "Mit Schuss" means that it has a shot of schnapps or liquor like Amaretto added. That is especially popular during Christmas time and a great alternative on your next Christmas Market visit if you don't like Glühwein!
As you see, it’s not exactly the same as a classic American hot chocolate, which uses real chocolate (like a chocolate bar) that is melted and stirred into milk, or water. By the way, in German, we call that "Heiße Schokolade".
📋 Variations
Just like regular hot chocolate, you can serve 'Kakao' in many variations. Here are some serving and variation ideas:
- 'Mit Schuss' - add schnapps or liquor
- Top with vegan marshmallows, or sweet popcorn
- Add a pinch of chili, or other spices such as nutmeg, cloves, cardamom, peppermint or ginger
- Top with vegan whipped cream
- Orange zest
- Crumbles of Biscoff, Lebkuchen or gingerbread
- Top with caramel, chocolate or pumpkin syrup
- Use hot tea instead of plant milk such as Earl Grey, or Matcha
📖 Recipe
German Hot Chocolate — Kakao Mit Schuss (vegan)
Ingredients
For the drink:
- 500 mililiters milk of your choice (eg oat, or soy)
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 tablespoons amaretto liquor (omit for alcohol free)
- sweetener of choice if desired
To garnish:
- (vegan) marshmallows
- (vegan) whipped cream
- chocolate syrup
- cinnamon sticks
- anise stars
Instructions
- In a saucepan, whisk together the plant milk, cocoa powder, and amaretto (if using). Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat.
- Once it starts boiling, reduce the heat to a gentle simmer. If you prefer a sweeter drink, add your sweetener of choice at this point.
- Pour the hot cocoa into a cup and garnish it as desired with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate syrup, cinnamon sticks, and anise stars.
- Enjoy your delicious German hot chocolate as is, or pair it with some cookies for a delightful treat.
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
For more plant-based German recipes, browse our recipe page.
I love this German Hot Chocolate that's so quick and easy to make! I can imagine I'm perusing the Christkindl markets while I'm sipping it!
Yeees! This hot chocolate is totally a Christmas market winner!
Yum! This german hot chocolate was so delicious! Such a fun homemade recipe to make!
Thank you Kayla, that makes me super happy to hear.
This hot chocolate is perfect for winter. I love how easy it is to make.
Thank you and much agreed.
the best hot chocolate! so so good!
Thank you Andrea!
I tried this recipe for the third time now and I love it! thank you for such as strong recipe!
No way!! Thank you so much Tavo.
OK, you had me at the gorgeous photos!! I'm a hot chocolate addict and this is right up my alley 🙂
Thank you!! Can't wait for you to try it - it's so tasty!
OMG, that looks divine indeed. I can't resist a good hot chocolate. I remember, many years ago, my mother bought be some German hot chocolate powder back from a trip there and it was so good.
Thank you! It's so interesting how something simple like hot chocolate can taste so different, right? Thanks so much for your sweet comment!
Loving this German hot chocolate so much! Going to be enjoying this all winter.
Thank you, that makes me so happy to hear!