Name: Simple Chocolate Syrup Recipe + Homemade Chocolate Milk
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 2
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar (I use coconut sugar); 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons cocoa powder; 1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons hot water; 1 cup non-dairy milk; 1-3 tablespoons chocolate syrup

Jump to Recipe

This homemade chocolate syrup recipe is great to have on hand during the summer months when you want to make a quick and delicious glass of chocolate milk!

Jump to:

Is Hershey's Syrup real chocolate?
Are chocolate sauce and chocolate syrup the same thing?
What can be made from chocolate syrup?
How do you make chocolate syrup?
How to make homemade chocolate milk
Simple Chocolate Syrup Recipe + Homemade Chocolate Milk

In case you didn't know, Kuala Lumpur is hot. As in, it's summer all year round. I've worn pants one time since we moved here and I'm constantly wearing workout clothes because of how quickly I break a sweat. Not only is the heat affecting my wardrobe, it's also affecting my diet.

I've found myself drawn towards eating more salads, overnight oats and iced beverages. While I still love a cup of hot tea when I'm in my house and the A/C is blowing on me, I always order a cold drink whenever I'm out and about. Things like cold brew coffee or iced tea.

I wanted to switch things up one day and decided on making some iced chocolate or chocolate milk...whichever name you prefer!

I don't know about you, but I definitely remember the days of squeezing way too much Hershey's Chocolate Syrup into my milk growing up. Well, I guess it was way too much for my mom, but I loved it! The more chocolate the better for this chocolate addict.

But what even is Hershey's Chocolate Syrup? Is it real chocolate?

Is Hershey's Syrup real chocolate?

There are a few versions of Hershey's Chocolate Syrup, one of which (so I hear) only contains 5 simple ingredients and doesn't contain high fructose corn syrup. I've yet to come across their "Simply 5" chocolate syrup, but at least it's a step in the right direction. However, the more common Hershey's syrup that you'll find contains high fructose corn syrup, corn syrup, water, cocoa, and sugar. I wouldn't consider it real chocolate, but instead would call it a chocolate-flavored syrup. I gotta say, though, they definitely did well in the taste department!

Are chocolate sauce and chocolate syrup the same thing?

There are so many kinds of chocolate sauces on the market. Some are called "sauce", some are called "syrups". Some go by "hot fudge". It gets confusing. I would say that chocolate syrup is usually a runnier consistency and often doesn't contain milk or dairy products. Store-bought chocolate sauces and hot fudge sauces are often thicker in consistency and are made that way by the addition of cream or other dairy products. However, you can easily make your own, homemade chocolate sauce or hot fudge sauce at home and omit the dairy.

What can be made from chocolate syrup?

Now that I have chocolate syrup in my fridge at all times, I'm realizing that it's a great condiment to have on hand. While I usually prefer to sweeten things with whole foods like dates and fruit, sometimes you just need some extra decadence. Other than using this homemade chocolate syrup to make chocolate milk, I also love to drizzle it on desserts (especially ice cream), add it to my smoothies, drizzle it on on peanut butter toast or fruit like strawberries and bananas or blend it into my iced coffee to make a delicious iced mocha. You could even eat it with a spoon! Really, can you ever run out of uses for chocolate syrup?

How do you make chocolate syrup?

Okay, so let's get to the practical details now. Chocolate syrup is so easy to make you guys. Basically you mix together some sugar (I like to use coconut sugar) and cocoa powder and add hot water a little at a time until a syrup forms. It's that easy! Then you simply store it in the fridge and mix it into your favorite milk to make delicious and refreshing chocolate milk whenever you want!

How to make homemade chocolate milk

STEP 1: Make the chocolate syrup

STEP 2: Pour your favorite milk into a glass with ice

homemade chocolate syrup being drizzled into a glass of milk

STEP 3: Drizzle in your homemade chocolate syrup

STEP 4: Stir well.

ice poking out of a glass of chocolate milk

STEP 5: Enjoy!