Chocolate will always be in season, no matter how hot or cold the weather gets. Whether it comes in its traditional milk chocolate bar form, as a refreshing chocolate drink, as a sweet confection, or as something else entirely, there’s no doubt that chocolate will always be among the world’s most popular treats. Here are some chocolatey goodies that should help you beat the heat while satisfying your cocoa craving this summer.

Plant-based Chocolate Milk

When it comes to keeping cool while also getting your dose of creamy chocolate goodness, nothing can get the job done better and in a more delicious manner than a tall glass of ice-cold chocolate milk. No chewing involved; you just pour it out, drink it in, and enjoy!

Of course, there is a downside to this tasty treat, and that’s why full-cream chocolate milk isn’t exactly great for you, especially if you’re watching your weight and waistline. In this case, you should definitely swap your regular, full-fat chocolate milk for a healthier alternative such as Elmhurst’s peanut-based chocolate milk.

Because this particular type of chocolate milk is derived from peanut, it has absolutely no cholesterol and has a very low saturated fat count, in addition to not causing lactose intolerance. Elmhurst as a brand is also known for using no emulsifiers or added food gums to their product, so you can rest assured that you’re only getting what you pay for, with no artificial ingredients.

But does it taste just like regular dairy chocolate milk? It actually does, and it also packs the same amount of protein per glass, which makes it’s perfect as a post-workout drink or as a daily beverage that you can add to a healthy diet. So, if you’re on a chocolate kick this summer, do it the healthy but tasty way with chocolate peanut milk!

Low-Calorie or Homemade Chocolate Ice Cream

Another chocolate-based treat that’s perfect for summer is none other than chocolate ice cream. It’s much cooler than a chilled beverage and just as easy to enjoy; just scoop some into a glass or bowl, add some garnishing like some chopped peanuts or bananas for a deeper and more exciting flavour profile, and you’re all set! Just don’t overdo it, otherwise, you may not only pack on the pounds but also an ice cream headache as well! As an alternative to traditional, calorie-packed ice creams, consider low-calorie choices such as Breyers Delight Creamy Chocolate Ice Cream or Snow Monkey Cacao Superfood Ice Treat, which offers the added benefit of being dairy free.

If you’re a wizard in the kitchen, you can also make your very own ice cream, and a healthier version to boot! Simply swap the full-fat dairy milk you intend to use with a low-fat alternative, such as skimmed milk or nut-based milk. You can also control how much sugar is going into your ice cream, making it even less of a fattening treat to enjoy.

Chocolate Ice Pops

If you’re looking for an extra-cold treat that doesn’t take a lot of effort or work to prepare, then chocolate ice pops could be for you. Simply pour chocolate milk into an ice pop mould, stick it in the freezer to harden overnight, and enjoy it the day after. It’s a treat that kids of all ages—as well as adults —will love. Just remember to eat it quickly, otherwise, it’ll drip all over the floor and make a mess!

You can also spruce up this particular treat by making its fruity version instead. Blend fruits like strawberries or banana into a thick milky smoothie, but use chocolate milk as the base instead of regular milk. Pour this mixture into the ice pop mould to harden just like before, and enjoy!

Chocolate Cake

Having cake during the hottest time of the year may sound a bit counterintuitive – seeing as it’s usually not something you associate with cooling you down—but it works if you chill it first. You don’t even have to deal with the heat from the oven either since there are many non-bake recipes these days that simply require you to chill the entire mixture in your fridge before you can slice out a serving or two.

If you’re puzzled as to what kind of recipe to look for, look for the ones that involve a lot of heavy fudge—those not only taste the best when they’re fresh from the fridge, they’re also so rich that your cocoa craving will be sated after just a few small slices.

There you have it, four chocolate-based goodies to cool you down this summer. Whatever you decide to partake in, however, remember to always follow it up with loads of water, even when you’re outdoors. It’s easy to forget about adequate hydration, especially when you’re enjoying your chocolatey treat!