We often think of hot chocolate as being a comfort drink, one that we generally reach for during the cooler autumn and winter months, but we're here to share 3 delicious ways to prepare a chocolate drink with a refreshing summer twist.
Hot drinks often feel much less appealing when it's hot and humid, but real hot chocolate, made from proper melted chocolate flakes rather than a sachet of powder or syrup, makes an absolutely brilliant cold drink too.
Cold Brew Chocolate Drinks
You may have seen the term "cold brew chocolate" floating around online. We'll be honest with you, although it's currently fashionable, that's not really what's going on here.
We're not typically ones for pedantry, but a true cold brew is steeped cold from the start. Real chocolate in contrast, needs heat to melt properly, and cold milk just won't cut it.
What you're actually doing is making a proper hot chocolate and then chilling it and turning it into something a lot more refreshing.
Same great chocolate hit, but an entirely different vibe.
20% Off Real Chocolate Flakes
There's currently 20% off all our real hot chocolate flakes right now, so there's never been a better excuse to stock up and give one of these a go.
A Quick Tip Before You Start
Real chocolate doesn't behave like a powder or a syrup - once it cools down, it wants to separate, the same way a glass of chocolate milk does if it sits too long. That's completely normal and not a sign anything's gone wrong. To fix this, just give it a good shake or blitz it in a blender before serving, and it'll come back together beautifully.
1. Classic Iced Chocolate Frappe
The easiest way in, and the one most likely to convert a coffee-shop regular. Blending it with ice not only re-emulsifies the chocolate so it doesn't separate, but it also gives you that thick, icy-cold texture everyone loves in summer.
You'll need
- 2 heaped tbsp Gotham real hot chocolate flakes.
- 100ml milk (or your usual dairy-free alternative).
- A handful of ice cubes.
- Add some whipped cream and a dusting of cocoa powder, to serve if you're feeling extra bougie.
Method
- Warm the milk gently and stir in the chocolate flakes until fully melted and smooth.
Let it cool for a few minutes, then pop it in the fridge until properly cold (or speed things along with an ice bath if you're impatient). - Add the cooled chocolate milk and a big handful of ice to a blender. Blitz until smooth and thick.
- Pour into a glass, add any toppings you fancy, and drink immediately while it's cold and frosty.
2. Shaker-Style Iced Hot Chocolate
No blender? No problem. This one's quicker and gives you a lighter, more classic "iced drink" texture rather than a thicker frappe texture.
You'll need
- 2 heaped tbsp Gotham real hot chocolate flakes
- 150ml milk
- Ice cubes
Method
- Melt the chocolate flakes into a splash of hot milk (just enough to dissolve them properly) to make a smooth, thick chocolate concentrate.
- Top up with the rest of the milk and stir well.
- Chill in the fridge.
- Fill a shaker with ice (a jar or a wide-mouth water bottle works just as well, a cocktail shaker isn't compulsory), pour in the chilled chocolate milk, and shake hard for 20 seconds.
- Strain into a glass over fresh ice and serve straight away.
3. The Cold Mocha
For anyone who thinks a chocolate drink is improved by a shot of coffee - honestly, we're right there with you. This one leans on the Iced Chocolate Frappe method above, but with a shot of espresso added for a proper caffeine kick.
You'll need
- 2 heaped tbsp Gotham real hot chocolate flakes
- 100ml milk
- 1 shot of freshly pulled espresso
- A handful of ice cubes
Method
- Melt the chocolate flakes into the warm milk as before, then chill.
- Pull your espresso shot and let it cool slightly (adding it hot will just melt your ice and water everything down).
- Add the chilled chocolate milk, cooled espresso and ice to a blender, and blitz until smooth.
- Pour and serve immediately, ideally on the garden patio to enjoy the sunshine.
Get 20% Off Real Chocolate Flakes
If you want something that tastes like a proper milkshake, go for the frappe. If you're after something lighter and quicker, go shaker-style, and if you need the caffeine to survive the school summer holidays, the cold mocha has you covered.
However you make it, it starts with the same thing - real hot chocolate flakes. Shop the real chocolate flakes range here and make the most of our 20% off discount while it lasts. You don't even have to add a code; the discount is applied automatically when you check out.
