Winter is in full swing (and, if the UK's track record is anything to go by, it may remain cold for a fair while yet), so what better way to warm up than with a comforting cup of hot chocolate to chase away the chill?
Hot chocolate has certainly stepped up a notch in recent years, with any number of unique flavours and ingredients gracing the supermarkets and online stores. Chocolate connoisseurs will love the endlessly detailed packaging with facts, figures and geographic origin elements, while those just looking for a sweet drink will appreciate the impressive chocolatey-ness of newer releases.
The only problem with a growing number of hot chocolates? Knowing which one to choose - possibly the most deliciously difficult decision you'll have to make.
Dark chocolate is considered to be higher quality and has a stronger, more intense flavour, while milk chocolate is sweeter and more creamy. If you're looking for a healthier option, consider hot chocolate made with cocoa powder, which is lower in sugar and fat than traditional hot chocolate. If you're hoping to branch out from the norm, look for flavoured hot chocolates with notes of mint, orange or caramel, or go even sweeter with a white hot chocolate.
And don't be discouraged if you're vegan or following a specific diet: many hot chocolates nowadays offer gluten-free, dairy-free and vegan options, which means hot mugs of happiness for everyone. Now, all that's left to do is drink it.
We've rounded up all of the best hot chocolates.
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Hotel Chocolat Milky 50% Hot Chocolate
If you’re serious about your hot chocolate, you’ll want to go to the experts to fulfil your cravings. Enter: Hotel Chocolat’s Milky 50% Hot Chocolate. Irresistibly creamy and indulgent, this decadent drink uses West African cocoa with the luxury mouth feel of barista-grade chocolate to create a hot chocolate that you’ll dream of again and again.
If you’re a Hotel Chocolat fan, you can use this hot chocolate in a Velvetiser for best results. But you can also mix it the good old fashioned way for just as delicious a drink.
Buy now £8.50, Hotel Chocolat
Green & Black's Fairtrade Organic Hot Chocolate
Green & Black’s Fairtrade Organic Hot Chocolate is one of the best hot chocolates around for that rich, sumptuous taste that doesn’t cost a fortune. Creamy and indulgent, this is a hot chocolate powder that performs without any need to throw in those extra couple of spoonfuls. Mix it with milk for the ultimate mug to pair with your cosy evening set up.
Buy now £3.60, Ocado
Sevenhills Wholefoods Organic Cacao Powder 1kg
Prefer your hot chocolate rich and intense rather than soft and sweet? Look no further than Sevenhills Wholefoods’ Organic Cacao Powder. Like its name suggests, this is a cacao powder rather than a pre-mixed hot chocolate tub, which means it’s a little deeper and darker than your standard offering.
Made from finely ground premium organic cacao beans, this hot chocolate is one of the best for those that care about the origins of their food. It’s certified organic by the UK Soil Association, environmentally sustainable practices employed, GMO free, non-irradiated and is tested for heavy metals and mycotoxins.
Buy now £9.49, Amazon
Hotel Chocolat 70 Percent Classic Hot Chocolate
You’re missing out hugely if you don’t venture into the world of Hotel Chocolat’s endless flavoured hot chocolate mixes. The classic 70% is darker than your usual hot chocolate and comes with an extra heap of intensity.
Or, branch out into the likes of hazelnut (think: a very sophisticated Nutella in drink form) or salted caramel, for a modernised twist on the classic. The brand is known for releasing plenty of new flavours throughout the years and, as of yet, none of them have disappointed.
Buy now £26.00, Amazon
Lindt Hot Chocolate
Lindt’s hot chocolate somehow manages to bring the gorgeous smoothness of its chocolate into hot chocolate form with bonus points for also being vegan-friendly. This premium hot chocolate is made with real Lindt hot chocolate - something you’ll taste and appreciate each time you sip it. It’s also versatile enough in its makeup to be used in cold drinks, giving plenty of options on a year-round basis no matter what sort of chocolatey drink you’re craving.
Buy now £3.99, Amazon
Starbucks Signature Chocolate 42% Cocoa Powder
Starbucks’ Hot chocolate is inspired by the hot chocolate you buy in its coffee shops so, if you’re a fan of the original but would prefer a less pricey craving, this may be the answer. While it may be a slightly smaller tub than most, each one offers 15 servings, making it a far more budget friendly option than popping to your local branch whenever you need a chocolate fix. With its 42 per cent cocoa powder makeup, it’s a great mid-range option that’s not too overpowering.
Buy now £3.33, Amazon
ASDA Extra Special Blonde Style Hot Chocolate
ASDA’s Extra Special Blonde Style Hot Chocolate is the hot chocolate for those who claim they don’t like the drink. This is a tub that’s just as extra special as its name suggests, fusing delicious chocolate notes with a lighter finish. The ‘blonde’ name comes from its fusion of flavours, which blends white chocolate with caramel. It’s comforting, sweet and incredibly moorish - you’ll test your willpower trying not to pour yourself a second mug.
Buy now £2.75, Asda
Knoops 28% white hot chocolate flakes 250g
Knoops’ 28% white hot chocolate flakes offer an adventure into the world of hot chocolate that you may not have considered before. While this tub is delicious when mixed just with milk or water, it recommends branching out with any number of variations to create your own barista-style inventions and new realms of flavours. Ginger, matcha and herbal notes are some of Knoops’ recommendations but the options are pretty much endless.
Buy now £9.95, Selfridges
Selfridges Selection hot chocolate
Selfridges Selection hot chocolate is made from all the good stuff and nothing else: Cocoa Mass, Cane Sugar, Cocoa Butter, Milk Fat and natural vanilla flavouring. The result? An impossibly delicious drink that’s smooth and rich, indulgent and creamy, and everything else you’d expect from a Selfridges drink. House of Dorchester created this milk hot chocolate as part of the Selfridges Selection edit and it’s definitely one to sample.
Buy now £11.99, Selfridges
Cartwright & Butler salted caramel drinking chocolate
Cartwright & Butler’s salted caramel drinking chocolate comes in a beautiful floral tub that you’ll want to proudly present somewhere prominent in your kitchen, not just because you’ll be reaching for it multiple times a week.
This salted caramel hot chocolate fuses the gap between those overly sweet hot chocolates and the ‘too salty’ ones with a perfect midpoint that will quickly become a new favourite. If you’re a fan (or just want some more pretty tins), you’ll also find cinnamon, dark chocolate, spiced pumpkin and more from the brand.
Buy now £11.99, Selfridges
Verdict
It’s hard to beat Hotel Chocolat when it comes to chocolate: after all, it is their speciality. Hotel Chocolat’s Milky 50% Hot Chocolate is our top choice for a wonderful hot chocolate that ticks all the boxes.
