My kids love a trip to Starbucks as much as I do. They aren’t drinking any coffee though, they get fancy hot chocolates or frappuccinos. This Starbucks Zebra Hot Chocolate is a grown up drink just for kids. Without the caffeine, kids can have a Starbucks drink too. Let me show you how to make this DIY Starbucks drink at home!

My kids love taking trips to Starbucks. What kid wouldn’t? They normally get a small bakery treat or a non-coffee drink. They always try to get the largest size drink they can. I just laugh and order them a tall.

They love the frappuccinos and hot chocolates that they can get from Starbucks. Their newest favorite drink? A zebra hot chocolate!

What is Zebra Hot Chocolate?

Perfect for kiddos (and adults!), a zebra hot chocolate is a combination regular hot chocolate and white hot chocolate with steamed milk. This combination creates dark and white chocolatey swirls that kids will love! It is topped with whipped cream, chocolate syrup, or candies.

Zebra Hot Chocolate Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• 2 cups half and half
• 3/4 cups milk chocolate chips
• 1 cup of white chocolate
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Milk – I suggest using whole milk for this Starbucks copycat recipe.

Do I Have to Use Whole Milk?

Whole milk will make your chocolate milk creamier, thicker, and sweeter. If you only have 2% milk, you can use that. It will not be quite as thick and creamy, but it will still taste like chocolate milk. If you are looking for dairy free options, here are a few substitutes:

• Almond Milk
• Rice Milk
• Coconut Milk
• Cashew Milk

Do I Have to Use Half and Half?

Again, half and half thickens up the hot chocolate making it creamier and sweeter. If you don’t have half and half, you could use whole milk instead. The hot chocolate may be a little thinner. Additionally, use non-dairy milk options if you need too.

Chocolate chips – The better the chocolate chips, the better the hot chocolate will turn out. I love using Ghiradelli chocolate chips for most of my recipes. You can also use dark chocolate, if you’d like.

White chocolate – Again, you need a good quality white chocolate to make a good hot chocolate. Ghiradelli white chocolate chips are my go to. You can also use white chocolate bark cut up as well.

Toppings – Toppings are optional but oh so fun. You can use whipped cream, marshmallows, crushed peppermint, shaved chocolate or whatever you’d like!

How to Make Starbucks Zebra Hot Chocolate

This zebra hot chocolate takes about 5-minutes to prep and 20-minutes to cook. Here’s what you need to do.

Step 1 Add Ingredients

Add all of the ingredients to the instant pot. Mix well and then close your lid.

Step 2 Pressure Cook

Set your instant pot on high pressure for 5 minutes.

Step 3 Naturally Release

Once your instant pot has finished cooking, allow the pot to naturally release for 15 minutes. Once the time is up, manually release by using a hot pad or towel, and pulling the valve toward you to release pressure. Open your lid by twisting off.

Step 4 Stir and Serve

Give it another good mix and serve up in your favorite mug! Top with whip cream, marshmallows, chocolate syrup, crushed up peppermint candies, or cocoa powder!

Enjoy!

How to Make it on the Stovetop

If you don’t have an Instant Pot, you can still make a Starbucks hot chocolate on your stovetop. Just follow this super easy Zebra Hot Chocolate Recipe!

Does Hot Chocolate Make You Sleep?

Do you have a kiddo fighting their sleep? Are you having a hard time falling asleep? Another fabulous thing about this drink is that warm milk is actually a great way to fall asleep. Ask grandma what used to work back in the day…she will tell you give those kids a glass of warm milk before bed.

Other Starbucks Drinks to Try

I don’t know about you, but I am an absolute Starbucks fanatic. The problem is, my budget just doesn’t allow for me to get one of those delicious, tasty pick-me-ups everyday.

Instead of giving Starbucks all my money, I just make my own. In fact, I don’t have to wait for Christmas time to have a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha. You can make all your favorites right in your own kitchen. Here are some of the ones I’ve made in mine:

• Cherry Mocha Frappuccino-Starbucks Copycat
• Starbucks White Hot Chocolate
• Starbucks Caramel Macchiato
• Easiest Iced White Chocolate Mocha-Starbucks Copycat
• Starbucks Chestnut Praline Latte

As much as I love Starbucks drinks, I also love their food too! So, I have found a way to make their egg bites, Pumpkin Scones, lemon loaf, chocolate chunk cookies, cheese danish, and pumpkin bread at home as well.

Be sure to pin this recipe to your favorite drink board!