Winter gets a lot of stick, but there are plenty of silver linings to colder, grey days. Example? Nursing a hot chocolate when storms and snow rage outside.
Textbook hygge, a warming cup of cocoa is practically an act of self-love, and one that you can indulge in guilt-free thanks to the season.
With Christmas rounding off the end of the year, hot chocolate also makes a superb booze-free option for celebratory get-togethers and festive parties; though if you want to liven yours up with a shot of rum or cream liqueur, we would only be too glad to join you. Not to mention that the drink pairs brilliantly with a mince pie and chocolate chip cookies.
Getting hot chocolate while we’re out and about doing the Christmas shop and seeing the West End's lights is one of our favourite wintertime rituals, but one that can quickly show its burden on your credit card bill. If you, or someone you know, has a hot chocolate habit, buying a machine dedicated to making the sweet, delicious drink is an investment that will pay for itself in just a few uses.
Those in the know may think that Hotel Chocolat has cornered the market in hot chocolate machines with its Velvetiser device. While there's no denying that it makes an exceptional cup of cocoa, there are a few other players in the mix worth checking out too.
We’ve rounded up the best devices to make the creamiest, dreamiest hot chocolate that’ll see you through the winter.
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Hotel Chocolat The Velvetiser
Made by Dualit, Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser comes in at just shy of £100 for the machine alone, but you’ll want to add in the variety pack of shaved chocolate sachets, which are also available as vegan versions, and in the exact 35g proportions required by the Velvetiser.
It’s not pocket money, but a sound investment if you live on hot chocolate over the winter or plan to make rounds of the stuff for visiting guests. If you’re watching the pounds keep an eye out for it in big sales, where it’s often marked down.
The device comes in three colours; rose gold is the chicest but you could also choose black or white to best match your kitchen. The machine also comes with a wide whisk, a kettle-like power base and spouted jug with a handle, plus two white ceramic cups in which to pour your chocolatey elixir.
To use, simply plug in the base to a socket and fill with regular milk or plant-based milk to the measurement etched inside the pot. Add in your chocolate shavings and hit go. There’s only one button to press, which makes it foolproof to use. It will illuminate as the milk and chocolate gently heat and whirl to combine your cocoa and is ready to drink in less than three minutes at barely detectable noise levels. To clean, simply rinse the whisk and hand wash the non-stick inner of the jug.
The result is a perfectly blended indulgent hot chocolate that slips out of the jug and into your favourite mug. Add toppings and get ready to toast the most luxurious hot chocolate you can make at home.
Buy now £99.95, Hotel Chocolat
Salter The Chocolatier
Salter’s The Chocolatier retails at around £80 but can often be found on sale around the £35 - £40 mark at retailers like Amazon, Robert Dyas and Salter itself. It comes with the jug, a small detachable whisk and power base that plugs into mains power.
You can use plant-based milk or regular milk, but it doesn’t come with chocolate shavings, so you’ll need to buy a packet if you want to use it right away.
Unlike The Velvetiser, Salter’s machine comes with four settings to froth milk as well as make hot chocolate.
But while it’s nice to have options, the additional features do render it a jack of all trades, but not the king of hot chocolate. The main difference is the size of the whisk; Salter’s is between a 5p and 10p in size, it’s not big enough to whisk though the chocolate shavings effectively, which means you’re left with milk speckled with chocolate instead of seamlessly blended through, and a melted mess at the bottom of the jug.
At least cleaning up is easy; rinse with hot water and wipe completely dry before storing.
Buy now £37.90, Amazon
TASSIMO by Bosch Happy TAS1002GB7 Coffee Machine with Kenco & Cadbury drink starter bundle - Black
If you’re looking for more bang for your buck, Bosch’s machine can make all manner of hot drinks, making it a winter must-have. The countertop device takes more than 50 kinds of hot drink pods, from coffee and Costa-style lattes to Cadbury’s hot chocolate with an auto-clean function to ensure no flavours mix when you’re switching between serves.
Buy now £149.00, Currys
Dualit Milk Frother, Black
Whether you’re after a luxurious hot chocolate, tasty mochas or just need freshly frothed milk, Dualit’s compact gizmo can see to it in two minutes flat. The non-stick coating and removable whisk make it easier to clean once you’re done. The keep warm feature means it’ll stay warm until you’ve found the whipped cream and sprinkles to go on top. Each use makes enough for two drinks.
Buy now £59.99, John Lewis
Lakeland Milk Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker
When you’ve got guests over, whip up a batch of silky, creamy hot chocolates to help them shake off the winter cold. Lakeland’s kitchen device can not only make steaming hot mugfuls but iced coffees too, which means it will more than earn its keep the whole year around. Make your next cuppa to order on the simple control panel, which is also a base that swivels 360 so it can be used by lefties as well as right-handed folks. Comes with a three-year guarantee.
Buy now £59.99, Lakeland
Smeg milk frother
For those after professional-level frothing, Smeg’s machine goes above and beyond other brands. For starters, the machine has six settings, which can be accessed through a turn of a knob and the click of a button. These include dedicated settings for hot chocolate, hot milk, hot milk with light or thick froth, and cold milk with light or thick froth.
Alongside the settings, there are two different whisks to see to the frothing, adding a luxe edge to daily brews. All this packed into Smeg’s famous retro-look design; you’ll have it sitting pride of place even without any guests around.
Buy now £180.00, Argos
