Best Hot Chocolate for Instant Hot Chocolate and Drinking Chocolate

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What is hot chocolate?

Hot chocolate, also known as drinking chocolate, comes as a powder, flakes or beans, and is mixed with either hot milk or hot water to produce a drink. Sugar is often added as a sweetener, and other flavourings, such as spices and fruit zest, may also be included.

Best hot chocolate to try at a glance

Best hot chocolate flakes for the family: Green & Black’s Fairtrade organic hot chocolate, £4
Best luxury milk hot chocolate: Fortnum & Mason ultimate milk hot chocolate, £19.95
Best thick hot chocolate flakes: Chococo 70% Madagascan hot chocolate flakes, £9.50
Best luxury dark hot chocolate: Pump Street 85% drinking chocolate, £13.65
Best white hot chocolate: Whittard crème brûlée white hot chocolate, £10
Best hot chocolate powder with water: Aero instant hot chocolate, £2.65
Best classic hot chocolate powder: Asda Extra Special Fairtrade indulgent drinking chocolate, £2.75
Best powder for cocoa flavour: Tesco Finest indulgent drinking chocolate, £2.25
Best spiced hot chocolate: Divine spiced hot chocolate, £5.99
Best hot chocolate beads: Sainsbury's Taste The Difference dark hot chocolate beads, £3.50

Best hot chocolate to try 2023

Green & Black’s Fairtrade organic hot chocolate

Available from Ocado (£4), Sainsbury's (£4), Green & Black's (£3.99), Amazon (£4.65)

A dark brown tub with gold lettering on the front

Best hot chocolate flakes for the family

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A great option for children, the well-rounded chocolate flavour mixes with milk for a silky smooth drink. Top with whipped or squirty cream for extra indulgence.

Available from:
Ocado (£4)
Sainsbury's (£4)
Green & Black's (£3.99)
Amazon (£4.65)

Fortnum & Mason ultimate milk hot chocolate

Available from Fortnum & Mason (£19.95)

A white tin with blue lettering on the front

Best luxury milk hot chocolate

The high price tag means this isn't an everyday treat, but these sweet chocolate flakes are rich in flavour, and, when mixed with milk, produce an indulgent mug of smooth hot chocolate. Salted caramel and vegan flakes are also available.

Available from:
Fortnum & Mason (£19.95)

Chococo 70% Madagascan hot chocolate flakes

Available from Chococo (£9.50)

Best thick hot chocolate flakes

We love this high-quality chocolate, with the dark, bitter flavours that these flakes are made from. It’d be great made with cream for a thicker, champurrado-style drink.

Available from:
Chococo (£9.50)

Pump Street 85% drinking chocolate

Available from Pump Street (£13.65)

One of the most luxurious hot chocolates on offer, this drinking chocolate from Pump Street Bakery is well worth a try. We love the silky-smooth texture and deep flavour profile of the artisan chocolate flakes.

Available from:
Pump Street (£13.65)

Whittard crème brûlée white hot chocolate

Available from Whittard (£10 for 1), Amazon (£18 for 2)

Whittard - Crème Brûlée Flavour White Hot Chocolate

Best white hot chocolate

While Whittard’s classic white hot chocolate (£22.65 for two, Amazon) is delicious enough on its own, take things to the next level with this crème brûlée flavour. It’s creamy and sweet but not sickly, as many white hot chocolates can be.

Available from:
Whittard (£10 for 1)
Amazon (£18 for 2)

Aero instant hot chocolate

Available from Asda (£2.85)

A brown tub with chocolate bubbles on the front

Best hot chocolate powder with water

This instant hot chocolate powder has an impressive frothy head and sweet flavour. It’s not quite as thick as some others, but it’s easy to make at work (or on a camping trip) as it only needs hot water.

Available from:
Asda (£2.85)

Asda Extra Special Fairtrade indulgent drinking chocolate

Available from Asda (£2.75)

A purple pot with gold lettering on the front

Best classic hot chocolate powder

This affordable option produces a luxurious drink. The decadent dark chocolate mixed with milk gives a high-quality, creamy finish. Buy this if you want a classic hot chocolate experience.

Available from:
Asda (£2.75)

Tesco Finest indulgent drinking chocolate

Available from Tesco (£2.25)

A brown tub with silver box and lettering on the front

Best powder for cocoa flavour

If you’re after a bittersweet powdered hot chocolate, buy this bargain pot which creates a well-blended drink with a prominent cocoa flavour and smooth mouthfeel.

Available from:
Tesco (£2.25)

Divine Fairtrade spiced hot chocolate

A gold tub with white drawings on the front

Best spiced hot chocolate

This festive hot chocolate has a silky-smooth texture and fragrant hints of stem ginger and orange. It would be great spiked with a tot of spiced rum.

Sainsbury's Taste the Difference dark hot chocolate

Available from Sainsbury's (£3.50)

Best hot chocolate beads

With bitter dark chocolate notes, this rich hot chocolate has a smooth mouthfeel and creamy texture. Try pepping it up with a pinch of dried chilli flakes for a grown-up twist.

Available from:
Sainsbury's (£3.50)