What makes chocolate milk a good recover drink?

A good ratio of protien and carbs. Thats all.

What is the reason you can't drink regular milk? Or do you mean you don't like to drink it? If the latter, part of the answer is in front of you - chocolate milk simply tastes better.

But it has a decent ratio of protein and carbs that helps recovery (3:1 carbs and protein), which helps restore glycogen stores. The types of proteins it has seem to be especially helpful in helping muscles recovery from a workout. And relative to "recovery drinks", it is cheap and plentiful. And did I mention it tastes good?

I am too, but I just picked up some Almond Dark Chocolate milk. Pretty refreshing...

Chocolate milk is often touted as some miracle recovery, however it really isn't...it's just chocolate milk.  

It is said that "It has the right carb to calorie ratio"...but a gram of carbs is 4 calories, so anything with low fat count has the "right" carb to calorie ratio. It is a fixed ratio in any consumable, aside from fat and protein content.

I feel fine with Chocolate Milk for recovery for some runs but for events and long workouts I would advise to use actual recovery drinks that contain protein, amino acids, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and potassium. 

Some people are fine with it, but I do not depend on chocolate milk to provide these.  Chocolate milk was never made for endurance athlete recovery.  Athlete recovery supplements are. 

Beat me to it!

You couldn't have convinced me of that at the end of IMCdA.  I guzzled two bottles and it was magical.  Nectar of the gods!

It's because it taste's so darn good!!!

I mix some syrup in my Hammer chocolate Recoverite.....man is it a reward for all that hard work!!

it may not be perfect, but it's a quick way to get something in my system after a workout.

usually mix it with muscle milk powder as a shake.

Its Cold It tastes great and I LIKE it 

  I love my Chock On the rocks

Do you have a good recommendation that contains what you mentioned?

GNC post workout whey protien. i use GNC Pro Performance AMP Extreme 60, they have a 'non-AMP' one, but it doesn't have the amino acids.

i also pretty much only buy it during the first week of the month when it is much cheaper than the rest of the time.

protein and carbs in a 3-4:1 ratio. Smoothies are much better. I almost live off my post workout smoothies. Fruit, juice, flax oil, protein powder, no need for dairy (tho I still do use lactose free milk occasionally).

Also, for a lower carb before bed protein shake that is dairy free, you can use a ripe frozen banana with water and it will make it as creamy and good as milk will.

This, right here.