16 Chocolaty Drink Recipes That Are Healthy, but Feel Indulgent

October 03, 2020

Calling all chocolate lovers! These creamy chocolate drink recipes are the perfect way to satisfy your chocolate cravings in one sip. Whether you make hot chocolate, a smoothie or a milkshake, these drinks are chocolaty and delicious. Recipes like our Mint-Chocolate Whipped Iced Coffee and Chocolate Avocado Shake (yes, avocado!) are rich in flavor, but still healthy.

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Peanut Butter & Chocolate Banana Smoothie

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Whir up frozen bananas with peanut butter and cocoa in this sweet, creamy drink recipe to get all the delicious flavors of a milkshake with the health benefits of a smoothie.

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Slow-Cooker Hot Chocolate

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Making hot chocolate in quantity in a slow-cooker is an easy make-ahead drink for parties. Once the hot chocolate is ready, you can use the "keep warm" setting to keep it hot throughout the gathering. Plus, take it to the next level by setting up a hot chocolate toppings bar with bowls of mini marshmallows, crushed peppermint candies, sprinkles, whipped cream and cinnamon sticks at the ready to stir into your cocoa.

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Chocolate Avocado Shake

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This rich, healthy chocolate shake recipe is dairy-free and gets its creaminess from avocado instead of ice cream. If you aren't avoiding dairy, you can use regular low-fat milk and any type of semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips in place of the nondairy chocolate chips.

 

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Chocolate-Banana Protein Smoothie

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Red lentils give this smoothie a plant-based protein boost. To make this smoothie vegan, try using unsweetened coconut beverage or almond milk in place of the dairy milk.

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Healthy Hot Chocolate

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This healthier cup of hot chocolate uses low-fat milk, natural cocoa powder and just enough sugar to sweeten things up without going overboard on calories. As an added bonus, the milk provides a healthy serving of protein and calcium, which you won't get from sugar-loaded powdered hot-chocolate mixes prepared using water. Spice it up with an add-in like orange zest, cinnamon or vanilla for a delicious twist on this classic treat.

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Mint-Chocolate Whipped Iced Coffee

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The cool and creamy combination of chocolate and mint is what keeps us unwrapping another Andes candy or sneaking just one more Thin Mint cookie. With this simple Frappuccino-inspired recipe, your coffee can be just as much of a treat—and still not too sweet. Use any type of milk or whipped cream, including nondairy options, for this recipe. Any way you blend it, this icy mint-chocolate whipped coffee will give you thrills and chills.

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Kahlua Cocoa

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While regular hot cocoa is lovely and warming, sometimes something a bit more spirited is in order. Some other tasty additions to hot chocolate: bourbon, creme de menthe, Galliano, creme de cassis, Chambord.

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Boozy Coffee Milkshakes

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Milkshakes meet cocktails in this genius summer recipe. This frozen drink has it all--chocolate, coffee, ice cream and a little buzz of alcohol to take it to the next level.

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Dark Chocolate-Coconut Hot Cocoa

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This stovetop hot chocolate starts with a delicately sweet coconut beverage. The subtle hints of vanilla help blunt the bitter edge of dark chocolate, and a splash of maple syrup makes this warm drink sweet and comforting.

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Strawberry-Chocolate Smoothie

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This creamy, rich strawberry-chocolate smoothie will satisfy any chocolate cravings. It's so decadent you might want it as a dessert, too.

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Silky Chocolate Milkshakes

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This easy chocolate milkshake is high in protein.

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Cinnamon-Spiced Hot Chocolate

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The warm, spicy notes of cinnamon add interest to this made-from-scratch hot chocolate.

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Cocoa-Banana Shake

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Is there anything better than a smooth and creamy chocolate-banana milkshake? There sure is--just throw a nutrient-dense avocado into the blender with the rest of the ingredients and your shake will be even creamier!

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Bourbon Hot Cocoa

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Chocolate and bourbon? Say no more. Make this delicious hot chocolate recipe from scratch on a cold winter day.

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Banana-Cocoa Soy Smoothie

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With plenty of protein from both tofu and soymilk, this banana-split-inspired breakfast smoothie will keep you satisfied until lunchtime.

 

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Spiced Hot Chocolate

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This spiced hot chocolate warms you from within.

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