Nothing beats a hot chocolate on a cold winter’s day. To feel its warmth seep into your fingers. To smell the intensely chocolatey aroma. To have the cocoa tickle your taste buds. Hot chocolate is the perfect drink when done right. However, not all hot chocolate is created equal. Indeed, some hot chocolate mixes truly slander the good name of hot chocolate.
In this post, we will introduce you to the history of hot chocolate, give you the low down on the best drinking chocolate in the world, introduce you to the best way to make hot chocolate and how to make hot chocolate with chocolate chips, and take a look at some of the places renowned for great hot chocolate. You’ll also find a handy list of the best hot chocolate mixes from 2022if you’re after a readymade batch.
Our Top Picks for Best Hot Chocolate 2022
#1 Best Vegan Hot Chocolate: Equal Exchange Organic Dark Hot Chocolate, 12 Ounce
If you’re looking for a dairy-free hot chocolate mix then this one from Equal Exchange is for you. Vegan, fair-trade, and delicious this hot choc certainly ticks all the right boxes.
#2 Best Hot Chocolate Powder: Godiva Chocolatier Assorted Milk Hot Cocoa Powder Canister, 13 Ounce
A rich and smooth hot chocolate that would make the perfect gift or purely a treat for yourself. A great choice if you want a milk hot chocolate that you can add your own flavors to.
#3 Best Instant Hot Chocolate: Ghirardelli Chocolate Sweet Ground Chocolate & Cocoa Beveridge Mix, 48 Ounce Canister
For those of you with busy schedules, this one’s for you. Simply add hot water or milk to this instant Ghirardelli hot chocolate for impressive instant results.
#4 Best Keurig Hot Chocolate: Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa, Keurig Single-Serve K-Cup Pods, 28 Count
Make the most of your Keurig coffee maker with these hot chocolate pods. A gorgeously decadent hot chocolate is just a click away.
#5 Best Hot Chocolate Powder UK: Cadbury Drinking Chocolate, 8.8 oz.
A favorite from overseas, this hot chocolate is made from the masters of chocolate themselves – Cadbury. A great value and delicious traditional hot chocolate.
#6 Best Liquor for Hot Chocolate: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, 750 ml, 92 Proof
Who says hot chocolate is just for kids? For a hot chocolate with a difference check out this delicious spiced rum from Sailor Jerry which makes a welcome kick to your favorite beverage.
A Brief History of Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate originated in Mexico way back in 1500BC. The Mayans, perhaps most famous for their pyramids, are who we all have to thank for the drinking chocolate we enjoy today. However, the original recipe included ground-up cocoa seeds along with cornmeal, chili peppers, and water so things have moved on a bit since then. Indeed, the Mayans actually drunk it cold from large spouted vessels.
By the 1400s, the Aztecs now ruled Mexico and their leader, Montezuma II was rumored to drink an incredible 50 goblets a day. Montezuma stockpiled cacao on his conquests throughout Mexico and restricted its consumption for royalty, nobility, and warriors. Indeed, drinking chocolate was in the military rations of Aztec warriors.
It was not until the 1500s, when the Spanish Conquistador Cortez brought the cocoa bean back to Spain, that the cocoa bean-based drink started to be drunk hot. The Spanish also removed the chili from the recipe, added sugar to it, and restricted the sale of the new beverage to royals and nobility. By the end of the 1500s, the drink had spread further afield and a Jamaican recipe saw the drink mixed with milk, in a recipe now much more like todays.
By the 1700s, London had over 700 drinking chocolate houses, popular places to cure hangovers. Fast-forward to today and hot chocolate is a common beverage to have ready mixed with sugar and powdered milk in the cupboards of many if not most households. However, not many have braved adding chili back into the mix!
Best Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe
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Now for the tastiest bit and the world’s best hot chocolate recipe! The truth is, whilst chocolate powder is great for making a quick treat, the best drinking chocolate should be made without any powder in sight. This recipe involves chocolate chips made from 70% cocoa, milk chocolate, whole milk, and of course squirty cream and marshmallows!
Ingredients (for 4):
For the best hot chocolate mix recipe you will need the following ingredients:
- 30 fl oz. whole milk
- 5oz grated or finely chopped 70% cocoa chocolate
- 2oz milk chocolate
- A pinch of salt
- At least 3 medium-sized marshmallows per cup
- A can of whipped light cream
Instructions for the best hot chocolate mix ever
If you’ve never made hot chocolate from scratch, then you’re in for a real treat with these simple steps to make the best homemade hot chocolate mix:
#1 Start to heat the milk carefully:
As with all the best tasting hot chocolate, it is vital to use whole milk thanks to its natural creaminess. However, you need to be careful not to bring it completely to the boil as this will ruin the flavor so make sure to heat it slowly on a medium to low heat.
#2 Add the chocolate pieces:
After about 30 seconds add all of the chocolate pieces and stir continuously with a wooden spoon until it has all melted.
#3 Take the chocolatey milk off the heat:
Once you start to see the beginnings of signs of bubbles around the edge you are ready to take the milk off the boil and add the pinch of salt. This should take little more than 2-3 minutes.
#4 Whisk the mixture & add marshmallows:
To give your hot chocolate a frothy texture, give it a good whisk before adding the marshmallows to get them started melting.
#5 Squirt on the cream:
Normally, clotted cream or hand-whipped double cream is much more delicious than the stuff you get in a can. However, with hot chocolate, nothing compares to the cheap and cheerful squirty cream.
#6 Grate chocolate over the cream:
Finally, grate a sprinkling more chocolate over the cream and pop a marshmallow in the cream for dipping and you will have followed your first hot chocolate recipe at home. We are sure it won’t be the last time you come back to this recipe.
The Best Places in the World to Drink a Hot Chocolate
Here, we outline our favorite venues for a hot chocolate across the USA:
#1 The best hot chocolate Chicago
XO Marshmallow on Sheridan Road in Chicago, Illinois offers the most decadent hot chocolate’s in the States with a range of flavors on offer always topped off with square marshmallows.
#2 The best hot chocolate in NYC
If you find yourself on Grove Street in New York City, then get yourself down to Bar Pisellino who do one of the richest hot chocolates you could ever imagine, topped off with hand-whipped double cream.
#3 The best hot chocolate in Boston
For a deliciously dark hot chocolate topped with canned whipped cream, head down to Cacao Nuts and Chocolates on Jamaica plain and take it for a stroll by the lake.
#4 The best hot chocolate Dublin, Ohio
For a hot chocolate that will have you coming back for more week after week, check out Winans Chocolates + Coffees in Dublin, Ohio.
Our Top Picks for Instant Hot Chocolate
#1 Best Vegan Hot Chocolate: Equal Exchange Organic 12 Ounce
Not all hot chocolate is created equal and if you’re on the lookout for one of the best hot chocolate brands then you have certainly found one with Equal Exchange. This decadent hot chocolate is made out of real chocolate and is absent of dairy making it 100% vegan. Equal Exchange not only makes incredible hot chocolate, they are also fair trade which makes this a totally guilt-free indulgence.
This is a great choice if you love dark chocolate and is so rich that it can be made with solely hot water and still maintain its great taste. If you follow a vegan diet you could make this hot chocolate using your favorite dairy-free milk. We recommend using almond milk with this hot chocolate mix for a truly luxurious treat!
#Vegan #Dairy_Free #Hot_Chocolate #Fair_Trade #Ethical #Dark_Chocolate #Decadent
#2 Best Hot Chocolate Powder: Godiva Chocolatier Assorted Milk 13 Ounce
If you’re looking for the best hot chocolate powder around then Godiva Chocolatier rates high on our list. The smooth richness of this milk chocolate powder is perfect for a cold winters day when all you want to do is sit in front of the fire with a good book and a hot chocolate. Made with all-natural ingredients this is a top choice amongst chocoholics for all the right reasons.
This hot chocolate works really well as a base for more experimental drinks. Why not try adding a touch of chili, cinnamon or cardamom to your hot chocolate for a truly exciting taste sensation. With a canister of this cocoa powder in your cupboard your sure to be ready to impress your guests or simply give yourself a treat when you need one. Pure comfort and joy in a tub.
#Godiva #Smooth #Delicious #Hot_chocolate #Chocoholic #Comfort #Cosy
#3 Best Instant Hot Chocolate: Ghirardelli Chocolate Sweet 48 Ounce Canister
When you live a busy life anything with the word ‘instant’ in the title can seem very appealing. This is certainly the case with this gorgeous instant hot chocolate mix from Ghirardelli. Simply add hot water or milk to create an instant taste sensation that can be enjoyed at your desk or on the move in your reusable coffee cup.
This cocoa can also be used for home baking. Whether you fancy making some chocolate brownies or delicious cookies this mix is up to the job. As one of the number one baking brands in the United States, you know that Ghirardelli is a brand you can trust. Grab yourself a tub of this and you’ll have something to curb those chocolate cravings whenever they appear!
#Ghirardelli #Baking #Cocoa_powder #Ground_chocolate #Instant_hot_chocolate #Tasty
#4 Best Keurig Hot Chocolate: Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot 28 Count
If you’re the lucky owner of a Keurig coffee maker did you know that you can also make hot chocolate in your machine? Step in the Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa pods. This pack contains 28 pods for you to enjoy to yourself or with your family. Made out of dried milk and premium cocoa you’re sure to love the taste of this decadent hot cocoa.
With a click of a button, you will have your hot chocolate ready in seconds from your Keurig machine. Whipped cream and marshmallows make a decadent addition to this hot chocolate which you’re sure to enjoy for many days to come. Make the most of Keurig coffee machine with these excellent value hot chocolate pods.
#Keurig #Hot_chocolate_pods #Decadent #Luxurious #Swiss_Miss #Milk_chocolate
#5 Best Hot Chocolate Powder UK: Cadbury Drinking Chocolate, 8.8 oz.
When it comes to making chocolate the UK brand Cadbury really know how it’s done. With almost 200 years of making chocolate under their belts, they certainly know how to make a superior hot chocolate. Fortunately, this UK favorite is available in the US and offers 8.8 oz of pure indulgence. Simply add hot milk to the mix and enjoy a classic hot chocolate.
Whether you’re partial to a hot chocolate just before bed or as a morning treat you can really go to town with this hot chocolate thanks to the great value price. This is one of the most competitively priced drinking chocolates on the market which simply means more hot chocolate for you!
#Hot_chocolate #Cadbury #UK_brand #Favorite #Traditional #Treat #Delicious
#6 Best Liquor for Hot Chocolate: Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, 750 ml, 92 Proof
If you like your hot chocolate on the naughty side and want to know about the best alcohol for hot chocolate then this one is for you. This spiced rum from Sailor Jerry is well known as a spirit to mix with coca-cola, ginger ale, and lemonade but did you also know it makes a tasty hot chocolate too? Enriched with delicious warm spice flavors Sailor Jerry is sure to not disappoint.
Simply add a shot of this spiced rum to your ordinary hot chocolate to give it a kick. Adding a squirt of whipped cream will also be a welcome addition. This would make a perfect dessert for your next dinner party or purely a treat for yourself on a cold winter night.
#Sailor_Jerry #Spiced_Rum #Liquor #Hot_Chocolate #Alcohol #Night_Cap
Conclusion
Any warming hot chocolate after a winter’s stroll is hard to beat. However, once you’ve tasted the recipe above you will probably never look back on powdered drinking chocolate. Nevertheless, there are a range of drinking chocolate mixes that do a good job of replicating our world’s best recipe for fresh homemade chocolate. To make things easy for you we put together this list of great hot chocolate venues and delicious mixes that will tantalize the taste buds.
