The Best Hot Chocolate Mixes

Posted Wed, Dec 19, 2007, 11:10 am PST

POST A COMMENT »

The holiday season is hot chocolate season no matter where you live, so the Serious Eaters and I have endeavored to taste every hot cocoa and hot chocolate we could find at under 75¢ a serving.

How did we judge what we sampled? Hot cocoa is made with cocoa powder, a by-product of the chocolate-making process, which means that almost all hot cocoa/hot chocolate varieties we found in our price range contained no chocolate. Mixes not containing chocolate are not going to taste particularly chocolatey, so we couldn't use that criterion. So we asked ourselves how smooth and rich and tasty each hot cocoa/chocolate was. Some preparations called for water, others for milk. We followed the instructions on the package. Some instructions said you could use milk or water, and in those cases we did both.

Swiss Miss Rich Chocolate

This was the cheapest brand we tried. It had no discernible chocolate flavor, but everybody was satisfied with its sweet, smooth taste and rich texture. If it's hot cocoa on a budget you're after, Swiss Miss will do you up right. $2.59 for 10 servings

Lake Champlain Chocolates' All Natural Traditional Hot Chocolate

Despite being called hot chocolate, Lake Champlain's product contains no actual chocolate. Made with milk, it was surprisingly thin but pretty satisfying. We got the best results with Lake Champlain when we doubled the amount of powder the instructions called for. Doing that, the 16-ounce package, which supposedly makes 21 servings, only makes about ten. $8 for 21 servings

Dagoba Organic Hot Chocolate Authentic Hot Chocolate

Dagoba was the priciest brand we tried at 72¢ a serving, but it was far and away the richest, most chocolatey, most satisfying cup we found. It tasted very chocolatey, was plenty rich, and was just sweet enough. $8.80 for 12 servings

Stephen's Gourmet Hot Cocoa Belgian Dark Chocolate

It may call itself dark chocolate, but Stephen's contained no chocolate and therefore no discernible chocolate flavor. Stephen's tasted like a slightly better Swiss Miss, sort of like a Swiss Miss on steroids. $4.99 for 13 servings

Green & Black's Organic Hot Chocolate Drink

Although this contained dark chocolate, it was surprisingly watery. When we doubled the amount of powder called for in the instructions (which drove the per serving price over a dollar), the results were markedly improved. $4.99 for 8 servings

So there you have it, six hot cocoas/chocolates to tide you over this holiday season. And if you'd like to give the gift of hot chocolate, there's a list of great accessories and edibles on Serious Eats.

Email This Story IM This Story Print This Story

Back to Index | « Prev Post | Next Post »

Leave a comment | View All 528 Comments »

528 Comments

1. Posted by aka_jmv on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:17 am PST

Here in UK we like to drink Cadburys HighLights cos the taste is real good and it is only 40 calories per mug!
Report Abuse
2. Posted by Marcus B on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:17 am PST

I have to agree: Swiss Miss is the best.
Report Abuse
3. Posted by bh02ranger on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:19 am PST

Ghirardelli's Premium Hot Cocoa is by far the best Hot Cocoa.
Report Abuse
4. Posted by Raising it higher on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:19 am PST

$2.59 for swiss miss? No wonder people have debt issues. I can get that for 88 cents at RiteAid bro.
Report Abuse
5. Posted by Naketta W on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:20 am PST

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!! I THOUGHT THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BUT THERE ARE SIX !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I AM FAMILIAR WITH SWISS MISS, BUT I MUST TRY THESE OTHER FIVE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Report Abuse
6. Posted by clintwacker on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:20 am PST

You should have added GODIVA to your taste test. I would be curious how it rated amongst the best. Thanks
Report Abuse
7. Posted by jps22250 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:20 am PST

WHY BUY A MIX MAKE IT FROM SCRATCH,AT LOWER COST AND BETTER TASTE.
Report Abuse
8. Posted by Bob D on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:20 am PST

Swiss Miss is definately the best
Report Abuse
9. Posted by Carrie M on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:20 am PST

is it just me, or are there only 5 brands compared?
Report Abuse
10. Posted by Rebecca R on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:21 am PST

I happen to adore Penzeys hot chocolate mix (they also make it with a hint of mint). I keep a jar of this in my cabinet all year long. www.penzeys.com
Report Abuse
11. Posted by ghillindy1 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:21 am PST

Who gives a [profane]? Really?
Report Abuse
12. Posted by becky m on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:21 am PST

which one was the best tho
Report Abuse
13. Posted by alexbrabant23 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:22 am PST

The Coffee Beanery hot chocolate is the best, hands down!
Report Abuse
14. Posted by lgcover on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:22 am PST

Ed can't count, there are only 5 brands reviewed.
Report Abuse
15. Posted by quirky_goof on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:22 am PST

hmmmm i thought you were supposed to double the amount of chocolate per serving anyway :) really ... I'm serious .. really
Report Abuse
16. Posted by Pam on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:22 am PST

OH you should try the CARNATION WHITE HOT CHOCOLATE available at A&P and WAL MART in CANADA ... serve in irish coffee mugs and hang a mini candy cane off the side
Report Abuse
17. Posted by Tessa on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:23 am PST

Hello, regarding the test you carried out on cocoa/chocoalte, you must try the mexican Chocolate Abuelita (Granma's Chocolate) You will be suroprise!!!! Tessa
Report Abuse
18. Posted by onlinebeach on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:23 am PST

Back here in the Philippines we have local cocoa called Batirol. It's thick, creamy and tastes very good. A must try when you visit us here.
Report Abuse
19. Posted by Amber on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:23 am PST

Wal-Mart has Swiss Miss for .97 cents... even the marshmellow kind... which is the only way to go.
Report Abuse
20. Posted by svpc58 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:23 am PST

Jamaican chocolate is by far the best and requires that the rolled natural chocolate in the form of a 6" stick or 3" oval is gratered or place in a pot of water and boiled. The mixture is boiled for 3-5 mins., cinnamon is added and some condensed milk or sugar. The result is an organic hot chocolate drink. Sharon Parris-Chambers Positive Tourism News svpc58@yahoo.com
Report Abuse
21. Posted by zooooplace on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:23 am PST

Our favorite is Trader Joe's Sipping Chocolate. My husband can't drink coffee - he said he is going to replace his coffee with this. Really good !! A little bit high in price, but well worth it!! Happy Holidays!!
Report Abuse
22. Posted by Sylvia T on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:24 am PST

I use chocolate chips and powdered milk to make myself a delicious hot chocolate. This way you can adjust the amount of chocolate you like. First you heat the chocolate chips in water in the microwave; then you add the powdered mild and mix with a whip. I cant imagine hot chocolate without chocolate. What are they thinking?
Report Abuse
23. Posted by Michelle M on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:24 am PST

Our favorite holiday Hot Cocoa is Stephen's but we love their Candy Cane mix. Unfortunately we can find their Cany Cane cocoa only in individual packets not the canister.
Report Abuse
24. Posted by mustanglu2001 on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

i like nestle's hot chocalte better. and its only 1.00 a box! its cremier too.
Report Abuse
25. Posted by Marissa on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

Cadbury's Drinking Chocolate is yummy! And I live in the US.
Report Abuse
26. Posted by michelle.synfoster on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

Why isn't Ghirardelli on this list?!?! Hot chocolate with no chocolate at all shouldn't be listed.
Report Abuse
27. Posted by toutzhag on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

Go to LaBrea Bakery in Los Angeles, they're all over. Order a hot chocolate. Drink. Be in Heaven. Or Nirvana. Say Aaaah...
Report Abuse
28. Posted by photolastuff on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

swiss miss fsho
Report Abuse
29. Posted by gary w on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

I have 8 grandchildren, and they ALL love Swiss Miss! In all fairness, I've never tried the others reviewed, but as I say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it!" Swiss Miss does us, just fine!!
Report Abuse
30. Posted by pamelagrow on Sat, Dec 22, 2007, 9:25 am PST

EWWWWWWWWW! It takes all of 30 seconds more to make yourself a cup of REAL hot chocolate and avoid the blinkin' FAKE MARSHMALLOWS, high fructose corn syrup and God only knows what other mind and body numbing garbage that's in these things. Mix up a tablespoon of cocoa, 3 tablespoons of sugar (or agave if you are cutting sugar), 1-2 tablespoons of milk and cook until bubbly over medium to high heat. Add a dash of salt and a cup of milk and heat. Add a dash of vanilla and ENJOY! Great topped with whipped cream or REAL MARSHMALLOWS.
Report Abuse