Best Hot Chocolate To Buy (And The Worst) Slideshow
10. Nestlé Rich Milk Chocolate
Nutrition: 80 calories, 3g fat, 14g carbohydrates per serving (20g)
Tasting Notes: "Tastes like sweet milk — where's the chocolate?!" "Chlorine smell, doesn't taste like chocolate." "Tastes like malted Ovaltine." "Tastes fake somehow." "Foamy top layer looked appetizing but the clumpy texture and strange saltiness are real turn-offs."
9. MarieBelle Aztec Hot Chocolate
Nutrition: 135 calories, 9.5g fat, 10.5g carbohydrates per serving (42g)
Tasting Notes: "Needs more time to dissolve, a lot of small clumps." "Somewhat bitter taste, reminds me of baking chocolate." "Very intense chocolate taste, like a melted candy bar, cloying." "Smells like brownie batter or flourless chocolate cake, not milky enough." "The richness is a little overpowering."
8. Swiss Miss Milk Chocolate
Nutrition: 120 calories, 2g fat, 23g carbohydrates per serving (21g)
Tasting Notes: "Frothy, sweet, but again, where is the chocolate?" "Too sweet, tastes synthetic." "Not chocolatey enough." "Tastes like artificial non-dairy creamer, coats your mouth in an unpleasant way." "Reminds me of my childhood."
7. Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Double Chocolate
Nutrition: 140 calories, 1.5g fat, 35g carbohydrates per serving (39g)
Tasting Notes: "Not bad, but a little boring." "Medium body, a little powdery on the tongue." "Good consistency, but there's a fake sugar taste and it's not chocolatey enough." "Very sweet, so, so sweet."
6. Swiss Miss Fat Free
Nutrition: 50 calories, 0g fat, 10g carbohydrates per serving (16g)
Tasting Notes: "Wish it was more chocolatey, but it has that iconic hot cocoa smell." "A little clumpy." "Artificial flavor, light body." "Reminds me of the kind you get in a New York City deli just to keep your hands warm." "Tastes and smells like that classic, traditional hot chocolate you make at home."
5. E. Guittard Grand Cacao Drinking Chocolate
Nutrition: 150 calories, 7g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (40g)
Tasting Notes: "Tastes like bittersweet dark chocolate, not too creamy or overpowering." "Aroma is like smelling into a can or dark chocolate powder." "Texture is like thin pudding mix." "Good, chocolatey flavor." "Slightly bitter, not very sweet." "Very thin and kind of grainy."
4. 365 Organic Hot Cocoa Mix Milk Chocolate
Nutrition: 110 calories, 0g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving (28g)
Tasting Notes: "Slight hazelnut flavor." "Smells strongly of almond, not chocolatey enough." "Weak finish, not a pure chocolate taste." "Smells like Lucky Charms marshmallows (tastes like them too)." "Too sweet." "Good consistency."
3. Trader Joe's Hot Cocoa Mix
Nutrition: 150 calories, 3g fat, 26g carbohydrates per serving (35g)
Tasting Notes: "Very creamy, smooth, texture." "Kind of reminds me of Kahlua or almond paste." "Rich, but not a pure chocolate taste (Coconut? Almond?)." "Thick texture, creamy but overly sweet." "Smells like a cupcake."
2. Godiva Hot Cocoa Milk Chocolate
Nutrition: 130 calories, 2.5g fat, 25g carbohydrates per serving (30g)
Tasting Notes: "Rich, strong, sweet (but not too) chocolate flavor." "Tastes like chocolate pudding." "Smooth texture." "Super dark chocolate flavor, made me want to drink a whole cup."
1. Starbucks Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa
Nutrition: 120 calories, 3.5g fat, 24g carbohydrates per serving (28g)
Tasting Notes: "Good, deep chocolate taste, not bitter, not too sweet." "Would be great with homemade whipped cream or marshmallows." "Grown-up hot chocolate." "Smells like classic hot chocolate." "Tastes high-end." "Like melted chocolate, but there's a slightly chalky aftertaste."