Grinch Hot Chocolate
White chocolate and milk make the smooth, sweet base of this green hot chocolate; there’s no cocoa powder in it. Warm the dairy gently on the stovetop and stir until the chocolate has fully melted, then add green food coloring a little at a time to choose your shade.
Serve it in individual mugs with a generous mound of whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and red heart sprinkles. Leave room above the drink for the topping, which will soften quickly against the hot mug.
Ingredients for Grinch Hot Chocolate
- 4 cups whole milk (960g)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (about 6 ounces; 170g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring, a few drops at a time
- About 1 1/2 cups whipped cream (180g)
- About 1 cup mini marshmallows (50g)
- About 2 tablespoons red heart sprinkles (20g), or as needed
The cream adds richness but is not essential. For a less-rich drink, omit it and use an additional 1/2 cup milk.
How to Make Grinch Hot Chocolate
- Warm the dairy: Combine the milk and cream in a medium saucepan with room to stir. Heat uncovered over medium-low, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling, about 3 to 5 minutes. Start checking after about 4 minutes.
- Melt the chocolate: Add the white chocolate chips and stir or whisk frequently for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the drink is smooth with no visible chocolate pieces. Keep the heat at medium-low, reducing it to low if needed. Remove the pan from the heat if the mixture gets too hot; do not let it boil.
- Add vanilla and color: Take the pan off the heat and stir in the vanilla. Add green food coloring a drop or two at a time, stirring between additions until the color is even and reaches your preferred shade.
- Pour and top: Divide among four heat-safe mugs, preferably clear handled mugs, leaving headspace. Once the drink stops steaming vigorously, add a generous mound of whipped cream to each mug, with a little overhanging the rim. Top with mini marshmallows and red heart sprinkles, and serve promptly.
How to Keep the White Chocolate Smooth
The drink is ready when it is steaming and the chocolate has melted—not when it boils. If pieces remain, keep stirring over low heat rather than raising the heat sharply, which can scorch the chocolate or overheat the milk.
White chocolate is already sweet, so the drink needs no added sugar. If it tastes too sweet or feels too rich, stir in a splash of warm milk. Food coloring strength varies; add it gradually rather than relying on a fixed number of drops.
When to Add the Toppings
Add the whipped cream, marshmallows, and heart sprinkles just before serving. Headspace helps the whipped cream sit above the drink instead of sliding off. A slight overhang may soften into drips on the warm mug, but it will not hold a sharply defined shape for long.
Peppermint and Alternate Heating Methods
Peppermint: For a mint-flavored drink, replace some or all of the vanilla with a few drops of peppermint extract. Add it sparingly so it does not overpower the white chocolate.
Microwave: Warm the milk and cream in a microwave-safe container in short 30-second intervals, stirring between them. Add the white chocolate and continue heating in short intervals, stirring frequently, until smooth and steaming. Total time depends on the microwave.
Slow cooker: For a party batch, warm the dairy and chocolate on LOW, stirring a couple of times as the chocolate melts, then hold the drink on WARM. This method takes longer than the stovetop version; use the smooth, fully melted chocolate as your cue.
How to Store and Reheat Grinch Hot Chocolate
Refrigerate the untopped drink in an airtight container for 2 to 3 days, keeping the toppings separate. Reheat gently in a saucepan over low heat, stirring, or in a microwave-safe mug in short intervals, stirring every 30 seconds until warm. Do not let it boil; add fresh toppings just before serving.
Freezing is less dependable because the dairy and melted chocolate may separate after thawing. Refrigeration and gentle reheating are the better options.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per topped mug, based on 4 servings (about 375g each): 700 calories, 12g protein, 47g fat, and 56g carbohydrates. Per 100g: about 185 calories, 3g protein, 13g fat, and 15g carbohydrates. Values vary with the white chocolate, whipped cream, and toppings used.
Grinch Hot Chocolate
Equipment
- Medium saucepan
- Whisk
- Heat-safe mugs
Ingredients
For the Hot Chocolate
- 4 cups whole milk (960g)
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (120g)
- 1 cup white chocolate chips (about 6 ounces; 170g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring, a few drops at a time
For Topping
- About 1 1/2 cups whipped cream (180g)
- About 1 cup mini marshmallows (50g)
- About 2 tablespoons red heart sprinkles (20g), or as needed
Instructions
- Combine the milk and cream in a medium saucepan.
- Warm uncovered over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until steaming but not boiling, about 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add the white chocolate chips and stir or whisk frequently for 2 to 3 minutes, until smooth and fully melted. Keep the heat at medium-low or reduce it to low; do not let the mixture boil.
- Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Add green food coloring a drop or two at a time, stirring between additions until the color is even and reaches your preferred shade.
- Divide the hot chocolate among four heat-safe mugs, leaving room for toppings.
- Once the drink is no longer steaming vigorously, top each mug with whipped cream, mini marshmallows, and red heart sprinkles. Serve promptly.
Tips
- Keep the mixture below a boil to prevent scorching the chocolate or overheating the milk.
- If chocolate pieces remain, stir over low heat rather than increasing the heat sharply.
- Add green food coloring gradually because its strength varies by brand.
- Leave headspace in each mug so the whipped cream can sit above the drink.
- Add toppings just before serving; they soften quickly against the warm drink.
Variations
- Peppermint Grinch Hot Chocolate: Replace some or all of the vanilla with a few drops of peppermint extract, adding it sparingly.
- Less-Rich Grinch Hot Chocolate: Omit the heavy cream and use an additional 1/2 cup milk.