You can use pure unsweetened cocoa powder or sugar-free hot cocoa mixes. Some sugar-free mixes are very low in calories (for example, about 10 calories per serving) and are sold in resealable bags with a scoop for easy measuring.
They’re used in baking and desserts (cakes, brownies, frostings, cookies), as mix-ins or toppings for ice cream and coffee, and blended into smoothies or mocha-style drinks.
Most product instructions say to mix the powder into hot or cold milk (a typical serving is about 8 fl oz). Many recipes also recommend plant-based milks for a richer result, and some mixes suggest using hot coffee for a mocha-style drink.
Labels commonly include gluten-free, kosher, sugar-free, and non-dairy. Some mixes are marketed as keto-, paleo-, or diabetic-friendly, and others note added vitamins and minerals.
Some mixes include functional ingredients such as calming agents (L-Theanine and GABA) and others are fortified with vitamins and minerals (for example iron, zinc, vitamins A, D and E). Several also highlight sugar-free formulations or no artificial ingredients.
