Making homemade hot cocoa for a party, a hot chocolate bar or a cold night outside? Enter your guests and mugs per person to scale milk, cocoa, sugar and whipped cream. Amounts are a starting ratio: adjust to taste.
Ratio used (per 8 fl oz mug, classic)
1 cup milk (any milk, or part water for a lighter drink).
1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder and 1 1/2 tbsp sugar; "light" uses 3/4 of that, "rich" 1 1/2 times.
Pinch of salt; vanilla 1/4 tsp per mug if you like.
Whipped cream: 1 cup heavy cream whips to about 2 cups, enough to top about 16 mugs.
Method: whisk cocoa, sugar and salt with a splash of the milk into a paste, then whisk in the rest and heat gently without boiling. A slow cooker on low keeps a big batch warm.
Quick reference (1 mug each, 8 oz, classic, no spare)
Guests
Milk
Cocoa
Sugar
FAQ
How much milk do I need for hot chocolate for 20 people?
At one 8-ounce mug each, 20 guests need 20 cups of milk, which is 5 quarts or 1 1/4 gallons. Add about 10 percent spare.
What is a good ratio for homemade hot chocolate?
A simple starting ratio per 8-ounce mug is 1 cup of milk, 1 tablespoon of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 1/2 tablespoons of sugar and a pinch of salt. Adjust cocoa and sugar to taste.
How many mugs of hot chocolate are in a gallon?
A US gallon is 16 cups, so it makes about 16 eight-ounce mugs or about 21 six-ounce cups.