Skip the bottle of chocolate syrup! This recipe for raw milk chocolate milk is made with real cocoa powder (or cacao), a touch of sweetness and creamy vanilla extract to create a nourishing, delicious drink.
Raw milk is something my family can’t get enough of. The taste, the richness, the nutrition — its incomparable to pasteurized dairy. We like to drink it by the glassful, turn it into kefir, use it to make ice cream, toss it into smoothies or eggnog and use it to make delicious cups of pudding.
You’d be surprised how fast our small family can go through a gallon of raw milk. Especially when we turn it into homemade chocolate milk! A jug of it doesn’t last long inside our fridge.
Making chocolate milk at home is a pretty simple task. But if you have access to raw dairy and want to keep all of the nutrition in tact, you won’t want to heat up that precious milk. In this raw milk chocolate milk recipe with cocoa powder, you’ll discover a quick way to make a chocolate syrup that can be easily whisked into raw milk without loosing any valuable nutrients. All you need are 4 ingredients and of course, a jug of raw milk.
Why is Raw Milk Healthier?
There are numerous studies, books and publications that prove raw milk has predominately more nutrients than pasteurized milk. Here are just a few of many nutritional benefits of drinking raw milk:
- Drinking raw milk can help your body recover from antibiotic use, especially when used for long periods of time. The probiotics and enzymes in raw milk can provide the gut what it needs to thrive and heal. (Source: Raw Milk Institute)
- A glass of raw milk contains all of the enzymes needed for your body to digest the dairy. This includes enzymes for protein digestion, fat digestion, calcium absorption and the lactase enzyme which helps the body break down lactose. (Source: realmilk.com)
- Contains many bioavailable nutrients including all B vitamins, vitamin C, A, D, E, K12 and many more. (Source: Home Grown Education)
Is Raw Milk Good for Your Gut?
Yes! Raw milk is a living food full of a diverse amount of beneficial bacteria. The probiotics contained in real milk can help reduce inflammation, heal the gut and balance the microbiome. It may also help to improve bowl movements, aid in digestion and has the ability to build up bifidobacteria.
Where Can I Get Raw Milk?
The Weston A. Price Foundation has an excellent website called RealMilk.com. It is full of valuable resources as well as a map to find a raw milk provider in your area. Tap this link to find a raw milk dairy farmer near you.
Is raw milk sold in Ohio? Since our homestead is located in the great state of Ohio, I figured I’d address this question in case you are living in the buckeye state as well. Currently within the state of Ohio, you cannot go to a grocery store and purchase a jug of raw milk. Rather you must obtain it through a herdshare. This means, you set up a contract with a local farmer and basically pay them to take care of and milk the cow for you. Each farmer has different rules and fees but usually the cost per gallon as well at the herdshare buy-in cost will provide you with plenty of fresh real milk for your family to enjoy on a weekly basis.
Best Raw Milk Chocolate Milk Recipe
Take control of what goes into your body by mixing up a glass of from scratch chocolate milk! No preservatives, high fructose corn syrup or artificial ingredients. Just nutrient dense raw milk, real cocoa, a splash of vanilla and your favorite sweetener.
Makes: Half gallon
Ingredients
1/2 cup agave nectar or honey (can use organic sugar)
1/3 cup water
1/2 scant cup cacao powder or cocoa powder
1 teaspoon vanilla
7 cups raw milk
Directions
In a saucepan, combine agave (or your chosen sweetener) and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add cacao powder and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature prior to mixing into raw milk.
In a half gallon pitcher, add milk then whisk in chocolate syrup until combined. Store in fridge until ready to serve. To use, pour into glasses and enjoy!
Note: If you find a little bit of syrup has settled to the bottom of the pitcher after the chocolate milk has sat for a while, simply give it a shake to combine the syrup and milk again.
FAQ
What Goes Well With Chocolate Milk?
Customize your homemade chocolate milk with these nutritious additions:
- Add a splash of heavy whipping cream for extra decadence in your raw milk chocolate milk recipe.
- A raw egg yolk might seem a little odd but it’ll add protein, vitamins and amino acids to your glass of chocolate milk. Be sure to only use eggs from a trusted, farm-raised source.
- Collagen. Every gut can use a bit more of this ingredient!
- Real salt. By adding a pinch of salt, such as Celtic sea salt or Redmond’s real salt, you’ll give your milk an extra pop of flavor as well as add a bit of essential minerals.
- For extra thickness and sweetness, blend the chocolate milk and a frozen banana in a blender. It’ll turn the chocolate milk into a chocolate milkshake.
What is the Best Chocolate to Mix Into Milk?
Should you use cocoa, cacao or carob to make chocolate milk? Personally we prefer to use cocoa powder or organic cacao powder. Do note, the Weston A. Price Foundation recommends carob powder instead of chocolate but our family does not like the taste of it.
What is the difference between cocoa or cacao? The answer is, the way it is processed. Both powders come from the cacao plant, are fermented and then processed into a fine powder. The major variable is that cocoa is roasted at a high temperature while cacao is not. Both types of chocolate have a similar look and taste, but if you’re looking to add more nutrition into your diet, go with the cacao powder. It can contain antioxidants, fiber, iron and magnesium.
More Healthy Recipes You May Want to Try
Raw Milk Chocolate Milk
Skip the bottle of chocolate syrup! This recipe for raw milk chocolate milk is made with real cocoa powder (or cacao), a touch of sweetness and creamy vanilla extract to create a nourishing, delicious drink.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup agave nectar or honey (can use organic sugar)
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 scant cup cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 7 cups raw milk
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine agave (or your chosen sweetener) and water. Bring to a gentle simmer, then add cacao powder and vanilla. Whisk until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat. Cool to room temperature prior to mixing into raw milk.
- In a half gallon pitcher, add milk then whisk in chocolate syrup until combined. Store in fridge until ready to serve. To use, pour into glasses and enjoy!
Notes
If you find a little bit of syrup has settled to the bottom of the pitcher after the chocolate milk has sat for a while, simply give it a shake to combine the syrup and milk again.
My family loves this chocolate milk recipe!
So delicious and a healthy treat for the kiddos!
Makes delicious hot cocoa too!
I started with this recipe and just added milk and a little cream and kept it on the stove until everything was to temp.
I’m so glad your family enjoys it! Turning it into hot cocoa sounds like an absolutely delicious idea!