Cherry Hot Chocolate is a quick homemade cocoa mix that gives plain hot chocolate a bright cherry twist with almost no effort. Stir the dry ingredients together, stash them in a jar, and you’ve got a small-batch flavored cocoa mix ready whenever you need a warm mug.
If you like those chocolate-covered-cherry candy flavors, this mix gets you in the same neighborhood without a long ingredient list or a trip to the fancy coffee shop. It’s a handy little variation to keep alongside other cocoa – hot chocolate mix recipes, especially when you want something a bit different from standard cocoa.
Because this is a dry mix, it stores best in an airtight jar or vacuum-sealed bag in a cool, dry place. For the best flavor and color, use it within about 6 months as an estimate, since dry mixes stay safe when kept dry but lose quality over time according to USDA food storage guidance for dry goods. The cherry note also makes this mix useful for gift jars, mocha-style drinks, or a fun cocoa bar next to favorites like Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate Mix.
Cherry Hot Chocolate Recipe
You’ll Need:
- 3/4 cup hot cocoa powder
- 3/4 teaspoon cherry-flavored Kool-Aid powder
Combine the hot cocoa powder and cherry-flavored Kool-Aid powder in a jar or vacuum-seal bag. Shake or stir until the color looks even throughout and no little streaks of cherry powder are hiding in the corners.
Expert Tip: Start small with the cherry powder and mix thoroughly before adding more. A little goes a long way here, and too much can push the cocoa from cherry-kissed to cough-syrup-adjacent in a hurry.
To Use:
Use the finished mix the same way you’d use your usual hot cocoa mix. For one mug, start with about 2 tablespoons mix per 8 ounces hot water, stir well, then adjust to taste if you want it richer or more cherry-forward.
This small batch makes about 12 tablespoons of mix, which is enough for roughly 6 mugs at 2 tablespoons each. That’s an estimate, of course, because some people like a delicate cocoa and some make a mug sturdy enough to stand a spoon in.
Store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry cupboard for up to 6 months for best quality, estimated. Once prepared with hot water, refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours and use them within 3 to 4 days; reheat only what you’ll drink.
A fine cocoa powder blends more smoothly than a coarse one, so if your mix seems streaky, whisk it before storing or sift it once to break up clumps.
💸 Budget101® Price Breakdown: Cherry Hot Chocolate
Ingredient |
Walmart Item |
Pkg Price |
Amount Used |
Cost Used |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Hot cocoa powder |
$2.68 |
3/4 C. |
$0.75 |
|
Cherry flavored Kool-Aid powder |
$0.28 |
3/4 t. ≈ 1 count ≈ 0.021 cup(s) |
$0.21 |
💸 |
Cost |
|---|---|
🧾 Total Batch Cost |
$0.96 |
👨👩👧👦 Cost Per Serving |
$0.32 |
📅 Walmart prices last verified August 26, 2026. Prices may vary by location and are subject to change. Learn how to calculate the cost of a recipe on your own!
Frequently Asked Questions about Cherry Hot Chocolate
You can, but add it in tiny pinches instead of dumping in another spoonful. Unsweetened drink mix is concentrated, so even an extra 1/8 teaspoon can noticeably change the flavor and color fast.
A sweetened hot cocoa mix works best because the recipe only adds cherry flavor, not extra sugar. If you start with plain unsweetened cocoa powder, your mug will taste flat and bitter unless you also add sweetener and usually some dry milk or creamer.
Start with 2 tablespoons of mix for 8 ounces of hot water. That gives you about 6 mugs from the batch, and it’s easy to bump it up to 2 1/2 tablespoons if you like a richer cup.
Absolutely. Milk gives you a richer, creamier cup and softens the tart edge from the cherry powder, so the flavor leans more like a chocolate-covered cherry candy than a fruit drink wearing a cocoa hat.
Moisture is usually the culprit. Keep the mix tightly sealed, use a completely dry spoon, and break up any lumps with a fork or by shaking the jar before measuring.
Yes, and it scales cleanly because there are only two ingredients. Just keep the same ratio of 3/4 cup hot cocoa powder to 3/4 teaspoon cherry drink mix, then whisk a large batch really well so the cherry flavor doesn’t settle in one spot.
Whipped cream, mini marshmallows, or a little shaved chocolate all work well. If you want the cherry flavor to stand out more, skip heavily minty toppings because they’ll bully the fruit note right off the stage.
You can swap in another unsweetened flavor packet, but start with the same small amount and taste carefully. Strong flavors like black cherry, strawberry, or raspberry usually work better than citrus, which can taste a little odd with cocoa.
Use a sweetened cocoa mix and don’t overdo the drink powder. If your mug still tastes sharp, add a splash of milk or a few mini marshmallows to round it out without remaking the whole batch.
You can, but dissolve the mix in a little hot water first so the cocoa blends smoothly. After that, add cold milk or water and pour it over ice for a chocolate-cherry drink that tastes more like dessert than plain chocolate milk.
Instagram: If you make this Cherry Hot Chocolate, tag @Budget101 and show us your mug.
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🖨️ Print-Friendly Cherry Hot Chocolate
Cherry Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- ¾ cup hot cocoa powder
- ¾ teaspoon cherry flavored Kool-Aid powder
Equipment
Instructions
- Measure the hot cocoa powder into a small mixing bowl, jar, or vacuum-seal bag.
- Add the cherry flavored Kool-Aid powder.
- Stir or shake until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Transfer to an airtight jar if needed.
- To serve, use about 2 tablespoons of mix per 8-ounce mug of hot water or hot milk.
Recipe Size Alteration
💡 If you altered the ingredients above by doubling or tripling the recipe, you may also need to change the pan/dish size and adjust the cook time.
Notes
Prep time is estimated from the mixing and packaging steps.
For best quality, store the dry mix in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 6 months.
Prepared hot chocolate should be refrigerated within 2 hours and used within 3 to 4 days.
