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12 best hot chocolates to buy now
The GHI tested 28 hot chocolates to find the best
Tested by JoJo AnastasiouFood and Drinks Tester
Whatever the weather, nothing beats the nostalgic comfort that a mug of hot chocolate brings – especially when topped with soft peaks of whipped cream and mini marshmallows.
Beyond the bigger brands such as Cadbury’s, Lindt and Galaxy, there’s a new wave of gourmet, grown-up drinking chocolate to delve into, with many boasting Fairtrade and organic credentials to boot.
So, our panel put 28 varieties to the test – from keepsake tins of quality cocoa for gifting to budget-friendly tubs for family film nights – to crown their worthy winners.
Looking to create a café-worthy hot chocolate at home? Be sure to check out our list of GHI Approved hot chocolate makers, including cult favourite, Hotel Chocolat’s Velvetiser.
Best hot chocolate 2024
These are our experts’ top picks at a glance, but keep scrolling for our full reviews to find your favourite.
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Is hot chocolate better with water or milk?
Ultimately, that depends on personal preference. While hot chocolate can be decadent enough without adding milk, it does help to create that deliciously creamy texture, and to balance the natural bitterness of the cocoa.
We conducted our test with dairy milk, but hot chocolate can, of course, be enjoyed with plant-based alternatives, such as oat milk, almond milk and coconut milk.
How we test hot chocolate
The GHI’s expert panel sipped their way through 28 different hot chocolates to find those worth buying. Each was combined with warm dairy milk and served blind to avoid brand bias. Their criteria? A quality hot chocolate, offering a high cocoa content – to bring sweetness, without being overly bitter – and a rich, creamy mouthfeel.
Read on to find out which they’ll be stocking up on. Because hot chocolate’s not just for Christmas.
Score: 93/100
Taking top spot in our test, Knoops’ hot chocolate was crowned “the perfect all-rounder” by our panel, who praised its “intense cocoa flavour” and “well-balanced and authentic vanilla sweetness”.
It’s made with 54% chocolate flakes (as opposed to powder), which results in an indulgent, velvet-like texture – it’s no wonder our testers were coming back for seconds… and thirds!
Score: 91/100
Islands Chocolate won the panel over with its authentic cocoa flavour, striking the perfect balance between moreish malt notes, bright fruitiness and a lightly bitter finish.
Described as a “delicious grown-up hot chocolate,” our testers thought it would pair perfectly with warm milk and a generous splash of Bailey’s for an indulgent nightcap – hic!
Score: 89/100
Nostalgically comforting and oh-so creamy, this hot chocolate incorporates milk powder in the blend, which means it can be mixed with water as well as milk (perfect for saving precious cooler space on summer camping trips).
The cocoa flavour is sweet with no bitterness, making it a top choice for kids (big and small!).
Cool Chile Oaxaca Cinnamon and Almond Hot Chocolate, 150g
Score: 89/100
Rich and fragrant, this Mexican-inspired hot chocolate combines fruity cacao beans grown in Selva Zoque with sweet cinnamon and raw almonds for added creaminess.
The result is exceptional – a subtly spiced, moreish hot chocolate that calls for crackling campfires and evenings spent on the sofa. Truly unlike anything else we tried (in the best way).
Score: 85/100
Housed in a chic keepsake tin, this luxurious hot chocolate is perfect for gifting. Of course, it’s what's on the inside that counts, so we’re pleased to report that our panellists had nothing but high praise for the “decadent, well-balanced cocoa flavour” and “silky smooth” texture, likening it to the cioccolato calda style you typically find in an Italian café or gelateria.
Score: 85/100
Filling the testing kitchen with its rich, dark chocolate aroma, this fairtrade hot chocolate reminded our panellists of freshly-baked brownies in liquid form – need we say more?
Another “grown-up” option, testers loved the well-balanced bitterness and light yet lingering vanilla sweetness.
Score: 81/100
Taking the crown in the supermarket stakes, this Sainsbury’s hot chocolate impressed with its “natural cocoa flavour” and reassuringly straightforward ingredients list (no additives, here).
Some testers found it took a little longer to dissolve fully – but, as they say, good things come to those who wait. Delicious.
Score: 80/100
Made to the same time-honoured recipe, Cadbury hot chocolate is as classic as they come. Testers praised the “malty sweetness,” “lingering vanilla” and creamy texture – it’s no wonder it’s such a crowd pleaser.
Top with lashings of whipped cream and mini marshmallows for a trip down memory lane.
Score: 80/100
This budget-friendly hot chocolate is bound to become a store cupboard staple in your home. Reminding our testers of Cadbury’s (but at a fraction of the price), they loved the sweet, malty milk chocolate taste and how quick and easy it was to mix into warm milk – with no lumps in sight!
Score: 78/100
Though all products were tested blind to avoid brand bias, our panellists immediately recognised this as Lindt, because it tastes just like the brand’s perennially popular milk chocolate.
Moreish, velvety smooth and, better yet, vegan-friendly meaning no one needs to miss out on a warm cup of cocoa (though you can also add to cold milk for a quick, chocolatey treat on a summer’s day – genius).
Hotel Chocolat Milky 50% Hot Chocolate Sachets, 350g
Score: 77/100
These single serve sachets are perfect for stashing in your work bag to beat that all too familiar afternoon slump.
Made with real chocolate flakes, there’s no denying they carry a more premium price tag at £1.35 per cup, but our testers couldn’t get enough of the deep, roasted cocoa flavour and creamy mouthfeel.
Score: 76/100
Melting quickly in warm milk, these indulgent hot chocolate flakes create a rich, silky smooth cup in seconds. Best-suited to sweet tooths, testers loved the hint of vanilla on the finish.
These also passed...
- Co-op Fairtrade Instant Hot Chocolate, £2.85 for 400g, 74/100
- Hundred House Coffee Single Origin Hot Chocolate, £12.95 for 250g, 74/100
- Pump Street Bali 70% Drinking Chocolate, £15.99 for 200g, 74/100
- Tesco Finest Santo Domingo Drinking Chocolate, £2.90 for 250g, 72/100
- Morrisons The Best Indulgent Hot Chocolate, £3.75 for 300g, 72/100
- Charbonnel et Walker Original Drinking Chocolate, £6.99 for 200g, 70/100
Millie is freelance journalist and editor with five years’ experience writing product reviews, buying guides, breaking news and about the latest trends.
Millie has also reviewed countless restaurants and written travel features for British GQ, The Telegraph and the Independent, and has interviewed a number of leading chefs, including Jamie Oliver, Heston Blumenthal and Raymond Blanc.
Founder of creative catering brand @grazeandgorge, Millie also spends her time creating seasonal recipes and tablescape content, as well as planning her next golden retriever-friendly getaway and rearranging her own home bar cart (... again).
Joanna Anastasiou is our Food and Drinks Tester, and has completed certifications in Sensory Foundation and WSET Wine Level 2 training. Prior to this she studied geography with conservation biology at the University of Exeter and trained at Ballymaloe Cookery School in Ireland. Through this she has developed a passion for sustainability within the food and agricultural sectors. Joanna also volunteers in kitchens with FoodCycle, as well as on multiple wildlife conservation projects, where she formed a particular love for bees!
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