14 Add-Ins To Elevate Store-Bought Chocolate Milk

Chocolate milk is a nostalgic treat that many of us love for its sweet and indulgent flavor. Whether you're pouring it into your favorite glass or taking a sneaky swig straight from the carton, this childhood favorite is delicious enjoyed exactly as it is. But, what if you could make store-bought chocolate milk taste even more incredible? It's actually surprisingly easy to give the chocolatey base a mouth-watering makeover, using a range of creative add-ins that you might not otherwise have thought to reach for.

Ranging from pantry staples to fresh fruits, there are so many ingredients that pair perfectly with chocolate milk. You can turn your glassful into a decadent dessert, a caffeinated pick-me-up, or even a holiday-inspired drink. If you love a bit of extra sweetness, Nutella or caramel sauce might be right up your street, whilst additions like orange syrup or vanilla extract can introduce more complex flavors to the drink. If you're whipping up something quick for the kids or just fancy treating yourself, there's an add-in to match your mood. Best of all, these upgrades require little effort or time. Most can be mixed in directly, if not blended up in seconds.

Chocolate and caramel are a classic pairing, and for good reason. Adding caramel sauce to your simple store-bought chocolate milk can turn it into something highly luxurious and satisfyingly sweet. The creamy, buttery taste of caramel is the perfect match for the rich flavor and smooth texture of the chocolate milk, creating a decadent treat that's perfect for dessert or an indulgent snack.

To add some caramel goodness to your drink, simply pour the chocolate milk into a glass and drizzle in a tablespoon or two of caramel sauce. Then, stir well until the two are fully combined. A sprinkle of sea salt can also be a wonderful balancer to the sweetness of the caramel. To create a beautiful swirl effect, you could even try coating the inside of your glass with caramel before pouring in the milk. Or, if you're in the mood for a hot drink, heat your chocolate milk on the stove or in the microwave before mixing in the caramel.

You can use a store-bought or homemade caramel sauce here. If your caramel is on the thicker side, you might want to pop it in the microwave for a few seconds to make it more pourable and, therefore, easier to blend with the milk.

Is there anything that Nutella can't enhance? It's amazing stuffed into French toast or baked into cookies, but this creamy hazelnut chocolate spread is equally as perfect for taking your store-bought chocolate milk to new heights of deliciousness. Nutella adds richness and nuttiness that complement the classic chocolate base perfectly, and it's a super quick and easy way to make your drink feel extra special.

To add Nutella to your drink, you'll find it easier to warm the milk a little first, either on the stove or in the microwave. This will ensure it melts smoothly and mixes evenly. Then, add one or two heaping tablespoons to the warm glassful and stir well. If you're working with cold chocolate milk, you can add it to a blender along with the Nutella, blitzing the two up into a frothy, milkshake-like consistency.

To really treat yourself, serve your Nutella-infused chocolate milk with lashings of whipped cream and maybe even a drizzle of extra melted Nutella or chocolate syrup on top. Crushed hazelnuts or a sprinkle of cocoa powder can make a sophisticated final touch, too.

A splash of vanilla extract can really jazz up a glass of chocolate milk, enhancing the drink's flavor with a subtle warmth and sweetness. Sure, chocolate milk is already delicious, but vanilla can add that extra something that makes it taste a little more well-rounded. It's a simple yet powerful addition, and you'll only need a few drops and a couple of seconds to transform the milk.

Start with about ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract per glass of chocolate milk. After stirring it in thoroughly, give the drink a taste, and if you want a deeper vanilla flavor, add another splash. For the best flavor and aroma, opt for a pure vanilla extract rather than imitation vanilla or vanilla essence. You'll find that the former has a deeper, more complex taste since it's sourced from real vanilla beans and not made from artificial flavorings.

Simply mix and enjoy, or garnish your vanilla chocolate milk however you please, perhaps with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder. If you prefer your drinks chilled, serve it over crushed ice or blend it with some ice cubes.

It's a favorite for topping waffles, pancakes, cheesecakes, and, of course, for spooning into a flaky pie crust, but cherry pie filling can also be the secret ingredient in an exceptional chocolate milk blend. Blending canned cherry pie filling into chocolate milk creates a drink that tastes just like a mouth-watering black forest cake. The tartness of the cherries and the sweetness of their syrup perfectly balance the richness of the chocolate. It's a bold add-in that feels fancy while being incredibly easy to incorporate.

To prepare this fruity delight, first pour your desired portion of chocolate mix into a jug blender. Then, add 2-3 tablespoons of canned cherry pie filling and blitz until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a chunkier texture, you can always blend or pulse more briefly or even mash the cherries by hand.

With this add-in, we highly recommend going all out with the black forest theme. To create a drink reminiscent of this beloved dessert, top your cherry-fied chocolate milk with whipped cream and sprinkle over some chocolate shavings before garnishing with a whole cherry.

If your store-bought chocolate milk still isn't quite fulfilling your chocolate cravings, what better way to enhance it than with even more chocolate? Easy to incorporate and guaranteed to add plenty of intense flavor, melted chocolate will make the once-basic milk drink beautifully creamy and velvety.

Whether you'd like the final drink to be hot or cold, start by finely chopping up some chocolate. This can be dark (for the richest flavor), milk (that'll add more sweetness), or even white chocolate (to create the ultimate creamy treat). About 1 ounce of chopped chocolate per 1 cup of milk should work well here. For a warming chocolatey hit, first heat a portion of store-bought chocolate milk in a small pan on the stove. Once it starts to boil, remove it from the heat and add the chopped chocolate. Let this sit for a minute or two so it can start to melt, then whisk until smooth.

For a cold version, make a miniature portion of hot chocolate by melting the chocolate into just 2-3 tablespoons of hot milk. This can then be topped up with cold milk, mixing as you go, before serving over ice cubes to keep things nicely chilled.

Another popular pairing, orange and chocolate couldn't be any more complementary. Put them together, and the resulting flavor combination is the ultimate balance of sophistication and indulgence, with the citrusy brightness of the orange cutting through the richness of the chocolate. A glass of orange-spiked chocolate milk is a fantastic way to enjoy this wonderful duo and the simplest way to introduce that zesty citrus flavor is with an orange syrup.

To create this tasty concoction, just stir a tablespoon or two of orange syrup into a glass of chocolate milk and you're good to go. Typically used in cocktails and coffees, flavored syrups are an ideal consistency for adding to liquids, and they'll mix in easily, so you won't need to heat the milk unless you're in the mood for a warm beverage. Other forms of orange can work well here, too, such as extract or juice. If using fresh orange pieces, you'll need to use a blender to combine these with the chocolate milk.

When it comes to garnishing your drink, feel free to get creative. Try topping it with an orange twist, wedge, or round, or simply add an elegant sprinkle of grated orange zest. A dollop of whipped cream on top is always a good idea, too.

Infusing your chocolate milk with gingerbread syrup can turn it into a festive treat that's perfect for the holiday season, or any time you're craving those cozy, spicy flavors. The sweetness of the syrup pairs beautifully with the chocolate, while the hints of ginger, cinnamon, and nutmeg add a wonderful depth and warmth.

For this seasonal treat, start by stirring 1 tablespoon of gingerbread syrup into your chocolate milk, taste, and then adjust if needed. The syrup should dissolve easily, blending seamlessly with the creamy chocolate milk. For a drink that feels extra comforting, warm the mixture up, and you've got yourself a delicious gingerbread hot chocolate. This easy pairing is great for serving to guests at holiday parties or enjoying on a cozy night in by the fire.

To make this drink look a little more impressive, add a classic swirl of whipped cream or scatter in some marshmallows and crumble over crushed gingerbread cookies. A drizzle of caramel syrup on the top, and a cinnamon stick stirrer popped into the glass or mug, would also make fantastic additions.

To give your chocolate milk a refreshing flavor boost, a few drops of peppermint extract are all you need. Chocolate and mint are another brilliant pairing, with the crisp taste of the mint completely transforming the sweet and creamy chocolate milk into something totally new. Again, this chocolate-peppermint blend can serve as a flavorful festive drink but will be equally tasty and enjoyed at any time of year.

To add peppermint to your chocolate milk, fill your glass first with the milk, then stir in about ⅛ of a teaspoon of the peppermint extract and stir well. Give the drink a taste before being tempted to add any more, as you'll find that just a small amount goes a long way in adding flavor. This is yet another add-in that makes it far too tempting to turn your chocolate milk into a cozy hot chocolate, so feel free to pop the milk on the stove for a few minutes before stirring in the extract.

And, because extra toppings are always a great idea, finish the drink off with whatever you have on hand — maybe some chocolate shavings or crushed peppermint candies. You could even pop a whole candy cane into the glass or mug to stir as you slurp!

If you have a few minutes to spare, and don't mind reaching for the blender, you have to give this fresh and fruity twist a try. Strawberries are sweet, juicy, and notoriously tasty when paired with chocolate, whether that's dipping them into a bowl of melted chocolate or blending them up with your store-bought chocolate milk.

For this epic mixture, add about ¼ cup of fresh or frozen strawberries to every cup of chocolate milk. Make sure to hull and wash the berries first if you're opting for fresh ones. Pop both into the blender, along with some ice if desired, and blitz until the strawberries have completely broken down. You should have a beautifully smooth blend with a hint of pink color.

Since strawberries have a high water content, your chocolate milk might lose some of that thick and creamy texture after blending the fruits in. To revive that luxurious feel, you can always mix a splash of heavy cream or a scoop of ice cream into the drink, too.

Sometimes, the simplest of additions can make the biggest impact, and topping your chocolate milk with whipped cream has to be the easiest way to transform it into a rich and creamy delight. The light, fluffy texture of whipped cream means it'll float on top of your glassful of chocolate milk in a pleasing swirl, ready to be slurped up or stirred into the chocolate drink. It's a classic add-in that'll make everything feel richer, creamier, and smoother.

Since it has a relatively neutral flavor, whipped cream can be paired with a range of other chocolate milk add-ins, too, from Nutella and caramel sauce to peppermint extract or peanut butter. Just spray or spoon a generous dollop on top of your chocolate milk. It'll work equally well on a chilled drink as it will on a hot chocolate. You can either go for a handy store-bought can, so the cream can be squirted right into your glass, or grab some cold heavy cream and whisk it up yourself. 

The pile of fluffy whipped cream also makes the perfect base for scattering other toppings and garnishes on top. Try a sprinkle of cocoa powder, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel sauce, or a dusting of cinnamon. Sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or crushed cookies can also make fun topping options.

Who doesn't love Oreos? These chocolatey sandwich cookies feature in all kinds of recipes, from cakes and Oreo brownies to tarts and truffles. But, one of the best ways to enjoy them has to be with a glass of chocolate milk. And whilst dunking is the classic method, we're taking things one step further here. For the ultimate Oreo-infused chocolate milk, you can blend them into the drink itself.

To your blender, add about three or four Oreo cookies for every cup of chocolate milk and blitz until nice and smooth. A dollop of vanilla ice cream and a few ice cubes also make great add-ins here for more of a milkshake vibe. The cookies will add even more sweet, chocolatey goodness and a hint of creamy vanilla to the drink, making it taste like an indulgent cookies and cream dessert. If you have some spare cookies, you can also crush or break these up and scatter them on top of the Oreo chocolate milk before serving for added crunch.

Warm malted drinks bring feelings of nostalgia to many of us, and a sprinkle of malt powder is an excellent way to give store-bought chocolate milk an old-fashioned twist. This flavorful powder is typically made from barley, wheat, and evaporated whole milk to make a fine, dissolvable substance with a slightly nutty, toasty taste. Malt powder is commonly enjoyed stirred into a mug of hot milk, but of course, it pairs fantastically with chocolate milk, too.

To use malt powder, try adding 1 tablespoon per 1 cup of chocolate milk. For the smoothest result, mix it into warm milk to help the powder dissolve completely, or blitz the two together in a blender. The result will be a super comforting drink with an unmistakably malty taste.

The subtle nutty flavor of malt powder pairs wonderfully with plenty of other add-ins, too, such as vanilla, Oreos, and melted chocolate. And as always, toppings are encouraged. A scattering of crushed Maltesers would be an amazing choice here.

Peanut butter and chocolate are a duo we frequently see, and adding this creamy spread to your store-bought chocolate milk just makes sense. It's an undeniably indulgent combination, with the nutty and salty flavor of the peanut butter enhancing the chocolate's sweetness while making everything ultra-creamy.

To 1 cup of chocolate milk, add about 1 heaping tablespoon of creamy peanut butter. Since the peanut butter will be thick at room temperature, you'll need to combine the two in a blender to ensure even mixing. If you're after an even creamier consistency, toss in a frozen banana or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, too. As with many of these add-ins, there's also the option to warm the chocolate milk up on the stove beforehand, which will help to melt the peanut butter down and eliminate the need for a blender.

To make it even more decadent, garnish your peanut butter chocolate milk with a drizzle of extra melted spread or a sprinkle of crushed peanuts. Or, for a sweet and salty contrast, a handful of crushed pretzels makes a brilliant option, too.

We've been combining chocolate and coffee for centuries, and when put together, these two ingredients offer the perfect balance of flavors. Coffee is bold, complex, and slightly bitter, while chocolate is rich and sweet. Blend them together, and you've got a flavorful pick-me-up that's perfect as an early morning beverage.

To make this combination, mix about 1 part strong brewed coffee to 3 parts chocolate milk. For a stronger coffee flavor, adjust the ratio to your liking, or use espresso for an extra punch. To ensure that the chocolatey coffee is perfectly chilled, serve it over ice or pop it in the fridge for 30 minutes or so before serving. You can also froth the chocolate milk before adding it to the coffee, using an electric frother or handheld whisk for a drink with a lighter, airier texture.

If you'd prefer the idea of a hot, mocha-inspired drink, heat the chocolate milk up before stirring in the freshly brewed coffee. Mixing in a drop of vanilla extract or topping the drink with a dusting of cinnamon or cocoa powder can make a lovely final touch, too.