Ready to drink dairy chocolate beverages are provided. The beverage can include at least one of milk fat or dairy proteins, a cocoa component, and a stabilizing system comprising microcrystalline cellulose, carboxymethyl cellulose and carrageenan. Milk fat can be present in the beverage in an amount from about 0% to about 1.5% of the beverage and can be the only fat in the beverage. Sugar can be present in the beverage in an amount from about 2% to about 4% of the beverage. The beverage can be aseptic and stable in a homogenous state for at least nine months at 4 °C, at least three months at 30 °C and at least one month at 38 °C.
