True story – Last year I fell crazy in love with Starbucks Signature Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Each day I would drink 2 of these bad boys as a treat to myself. My son was only 6 months old back then and I would have the baristas pour double shots of espresso into my drink. It was my guilty pleasure except I would call it more like therapy. And if you’re a mom reading this – thank you for understanding what I mean when I say “therapy”.
There was something very magical about this type of hot chocolate Starbucks was offering. As a result I became an addict. You see, I love salted caramel anything and the combination of salty-sweet chocolate sludge was just too much for me to only drink 1 a day. Imagine how much I mourned when I discovered a couple months ago Starbucks was not bringing back my seasonal drink. WHAT THE HECK STARBUCKS!?
But you see all was not lost because I had a light bulb moment! When life gives you no more favorite drink, get off your lazy butt and make it at home. Not only did I resurrect this seasonal favorite, I knocked it out of the park! – Booya! I love my version and I have no shame in boasting about it.
So if you are mourning the loss of Starbucks Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate this holiday season – have no fear, Alice is here. Enjoy!
*Before we start listing ingredients, I wanted to make this recipe as simple as possible. For everything listed you can buy it pre-made, but to make it sublime, making each element is what really makes this drink come alive. I also have used Swiss Miss instant hot chocolate and still have great results! So do what you can to tailor this drink to your liking.
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- 3 tablespoons Caramel syrup, heated to luke warm (recipe here)
- Hot Chocolate (4 tablespoons of ganache plus 6 oz. of milk, heated)
- Canned Whipped Cream
- Pinch of Medium Coarse Sea Salt
- Pour 2 Tablespoons of caramel syrup into a mug so the inside of the mug is coated well. Add hot chocolate and stir everything. Top off with with cream, drizzle with remaining caramel, and sprinkle with sea salt. Enjoy!
Tori says
I have just recently discovered this treasure. Mmmm is it good, I’m excited to try this recipe!
Nancy, I don’t know about a sugared sea salt, but one of the starbucks supervisers that commented earlier mentioned a smoked sea salt, which I have found here: http://spicesinc.com/showproduct.aspx?ProductID=502&SEName=pacific-sea-smoked-sea-salt. Maybe that would get it a little closer to the real thing!
Nancy says
Love the salted carmel mocha but a serious question. The salt is just not regular sea salt. It’s a roasted/blackened sea salt and has sugar in it. They don’t sell it there but one of the guys showed me the little shaker and read some of the ingreadients.
I’ve searched the web and find no source for it. Anyone know of how to get hold of the same product they use in the stores? Would love to purchase it.
Shel says
This looks amazing. Just had a salted mocha at a local coffee shop today, and came home to look up recipes…it was that good. Found your post on salted caramel hot chocolate. yummm…I will definitely try this recipe!
Dori says
I made these today. They were really good. I’m going to try to keep caramel syrup and chocolate ganache in my fridge from now on. So much better than regular hot chocolate!
kmk says
this is my doom. dont consume sugar – but i have had 5 of these in the last week. trying to indulge and satisfy myself before the season is over. was so sad when they were gone last year.
i am liking them cold, as it is so warm here in LA. plus one can feel the texture of caramel and the crunch of the salt. little bonus at the bottom. oh, and extra salt!
i think it needs to be a full time menu item.
alice says
I was in Starbucks yesterday and saw that it was back too. When I asked the barista about this, she tells me it’s not the signature hot chocolate but the regular one. I haven’t tried it but hope to soon. The signature salted caramel hot chocolate was amazing.
Jack says
Yep…..Its back!!!
http://www.starbucks.com/menu/drinks/chocolate/salted-caramel-hot-chocolate?foodZone=9999
Tis the season. Enjoy 🙂
Autumn says
The Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate is back at Starbucks! 🙂
Saw the info on their website just the other day.
prochroma says
Starbucks has recently discontinued the Signature Hot Chocolate product which has virtually doomed my patronage. My drink is the Espresso Truffle (nearly exclusively), so I am saddened to see this product go. I understand their motivation behind its discontinuance. The Signature Hot Chocolate is delivered to their stores in packets which when mixed with nonfat milk, makes 1 gallon batches. The pre-mix is then stored in the barista refrigerator. This resulted in daily wastage if it wasn’t all used by closing time. What I don’t understand is why doesn’t Starbucks make it in a scoop-able or pump-able medium? This would enable the barista to make single servings and thus reduce the wastage completely. I am currently seeking Starbucks Signature Hot Chocolate on eBay and taste-alike recipes online; hoping that Starbucks does something about this.
alice says
Hi Prochroma,
I had switched to the Espresso Truffle as well and was really disappointed. There is no comparison between the two drinks. Also I was also shocked to discover that although the signature hot chocolates were made with non-fat milk they had more calories than a Big Mac. Thanks for your comment.. I love venting with other Starbucks customers.
Becki says
This looks super delicious! I have been raving about this treat ever since finding it a couple night’s ago.
Thanks!
alice says
Patrick,
When I discovered they had more calories than a big mac last year I finally realized this is why I gained so much weight… I was drinking/buying 2 a day.
Patrick says
I’m almost certain that they’re not serving that drink anymore because it was recently named in several publications as the worst hot chocolate drink in America. A Grande has more calories and fat than a Big Mac burger, and a Venti has more calories than a Double Big Mac. And don’t get me started on the amount of sugar.
Sure they’ll tell you it’s because of some technical issue with the salt granules sticking together or some such nonsense, but I’m pretty positive it’s gone because of the negative health publicity that particular drink received.
Annie says
I too share your addiction. Picture this: 4 months pregnant. Just getting over the 1st trimester blues and able to smell coffee again without the “morning sicknes” hitting. I have waiting all fall for the winter flavors to come out. Its girls night out and I deside to treat myself to my favorite drink. I drive up to the window and order. “Im sorry mam but we’re not serving that flavor this year.” I said, “Um, dont you know Im pregnant and I NEED it! Who authorized this?” I was so sad. The sweet girl wanted to help but there was nothing she could do… Thanks so much for the recipe! Alas, my winter will be complete. (even though I may be slightly addicted to the peppermint mocha now)
Joni says
Oh my goodness!!! Thank you, thank you, thank you!! I share your addiction, and I said the same thing when I found out the drink was not back this season. Whhaaaaa??! I’m soooo happy now!!
Lauren says
I do not go into Starbucks often. Maybe on vacation or while I’m at Barnes and Noble. But last year when they had the Salted Carmel Hot Chocolate it sounded good but I did not get it. But I so want to make this. I have some dark chocolate ganache I used to make a frosting for a cake it has a bit of powdered sugar in it as I rolled it in it as I tried taking the unused ganache and made truffles they are a bit soft and never st up well so they are in my freezer. I bet I could take 1 or 2 of these and add to heated milk and carmel syrup and make this hot chocolate. Yum
miss m says
What? They got rid of it?? *cries* I don’t drink Starbucks. I don’t like Starbucks. (I don’t drink coffee. At all. Ever. Bleck!) But one chilly day last year, I was at Super Target and thought a hot cocoa would be good. The guy recommended this one – the Salted Caramel Signature Hot Chocolate – and I said sure.
I was hooked.
Living in Florida, it doesn’t get cold often enough to drink hot beverages. (IMHO. Feels-like 110F I don’t want hot drinks.) It’s cold again this week and I was looking forward to getting one. But I didn’t see it on the menu on their site so I googled it and found your blog.
I’m so sad. Thanks for the copycat. I think I’d be too lazy to make it myself but it’s still a nice thought.
Kathy Monkman says
Wowwww! I’m making homemade salted caramel sauce for gifts and this is another amazing use for it (I can’t believe Starbucks isn’t bringing back that drink…what????). Thanks for posting (love your blog….yummmm).
Jessica says
OMG I can’t believe someone feels as strongly as I do about this hot chocolate!!!!! What did u do Starbucks!????? P.S.> One of the barista’s told me that they used (smoked sea salt). I’m on my way to get it!!!!!
Alyssa says
I never tried the Starbucks version (I hadn’t even noticed it), but this looks amazing! I love the combination of salt with both caramel and chocolate. Wow, this looks good.
Stephanie says
Salty Caramel is one of the signature flavors at Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams in Columbus, Ohio. It’s one of the great things about living here. They ship if you’re interested. jenisicecreams.com
Todd Wilbur says
Great job with the recipe, Alice, and I love those beautiful photos. I will be trying this one.
Jennifer says
Although I only tasted the Starbuck’s version once, the occasion stands out in mind. Your recipe sounds divine. What a treat!
Jenn AKA The Leftover Queen says
This looks AMAZING!!! I especially love the idea of adding espresso! I can see this being therapy!!!
Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction says
Looks gorgeous… I don’t usually drink hot chocolate straight because it’s too sweet for me, but I’m thinking that would be delicious with a shot or two of espresso. Yum! I love your copycat Starbucks recipes!