Cocio Classic Chocolate Milk

Cocio is a legendary Danish chocolate milk brand that has remained remarkably consistent since its founding in 1951. It was originally created by Anker Pallesen and his wife Ella in their kitchen in Esbjerg, Denmark. The couple developed a simple, three-ingredient recipe—milk, cocoa, and sugar—that defines the product to this day. A unique part of its production involves a sterilization process where the bottled drink is heated, causing the sugar to caramelize and giving Cocio its signature taste and long shelf life without the need for additives.

While the brand has changed hands several times—including a period of American ownership by the Borden Group in the late 1970s—it eventually returned to Danish ownership. In 2008, the dairy giant Arla Foods became the sole owner. Despite its growth and international presence, Cocio continues to be produced at its dedicated, state-of-the-art factory in Esbjerg, Denmark, where it first began.