AIBU to ask if it's possible to make a smooth, non lumpy hot chocolate at home?

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I am poorly and feeling sorry for myself and fancy a hot chocolate. I have a rather exquisite selection in the cupboard but am sadly lacking in technique - whether I use Hotel Chocolat, Green & Blacks, or Cadbury's I always end up with floaty non melted bits or a gloop of it at the bottom which sounds like it should be lovely, but is actually rather grim.
Where am I going wrong?! (I have the same problem with gravy, maybe I'm just not deft of hand enough?)

I'm hoping someone with the magic trick will come along so I don't have to cope with this horrid sore throat thing AS WELL AS lumpy hot chocolate.

Such problems, I know.

Put a small amount of cold water in the bottom of the mug on top of the powder. Stir fiercely clockwise and counterclockwise until smooth, with a tsp. Then add hot water / milk. This will add a small layer of froth to the top and no clumpy powder.

I put milk In mine and mix it all up before putting the big water in - no lumps

You have to pour a small amount of hot water in the mug with the powder and stir it really well. Then add the rest of the hot water and milk and stir it again really well.

I put a teaspoon or two of boiling water on top of the powder and sugar and stir. Then add milk, stir, and microwave.

Tiny splash of milk with the powder to make a paste and little by little and a tiny whisk. Then add hot water (or hot milk to make an even more indulgent hot choc)

Milk in a pan, powder whisked in. Should be ok?

I also make it into a paste first, small splash of water in the bottom with the power and give it a right good stir, then add the rest of the milk/water.
Works for gravy too.

Add powder and about a third of the milk. Whisk it with the fork until it’s a bit fluffy. Microwave for about 30 seconds. Add the second third of milk and repeat. Then the final third and repeat. Smooth.

I have a mini whisk, you have to combine powder with some cold milk first before topping up with you milk or water.

Small amount of milk in the bottom of the mug with 3 heaped teaspoons of powder, mix it quickly to make a powder then pour the rest is the milk in, keep stirring. Then pop it in the microwave for 1min 30, take out and stir, then pop it in for another 30 seconds.

Make a paste not a powder!

Buy a mini hand whisk

They're only a couple of quid and ridiculously perfect for instant hot chocolate/cappuccino/Latte.

My friend bought me one and honestly, there's not a single lump in any of them now.

My tried and tested method.

One heaped teaspoon of cocoa power and the same of sugar in a mug. Mix together then add a small amount of milk until it makes a paste then fill the mug with milk whilst still stirring. Microwave for one minute, stir, microwave for another 40 seconds, stir. Enjoy!

Make a real one! Melt squares of plain chocolate in a small pan of milk until melted and milk it heated. You can add sugar if you have a sweet tooth.

Make paste at bottom of wide mug using milk, top up with hot milk. Insert whisk into mug, whirl between palms of both hands. Job done.

Use Poulain drinking chocolate. Nicest guy chocolate, perfect every time. Must be made with milk though.

Hot not guy obviously

You need one of these. www.supplementplace.co.uk/electric-mini-whisk/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6Pyc4v635QIVCbDtCh2DTA7WEAQYAyABEgJJwfD_BwE

And can everyone stop putting water in their hot chocolate please, I find it very upsetting.

Easy, bit of milk on top of the powder, give it a really good stir, pour on the boiling water, voila, lovely frothy hot chocolate. Same goes for your gravy, but water not milk!

And can everyone stop putting water in their hot chocolate please, I find it very upsetting
Agreed, especially instant "hot chocolate" made with water is my nightmare - tasteless brown water at best!

You need:

Some bars of at least 70% cocoa solids
Some full cream milk
Sugar

A tiny, heavy milk pan.
A small silicone whisk.

Put a mug full of milk (plus a bit for the pan) on a medium heat.
Break up the chocolate and drop into milk.
Occasionally stir with whisk.
Once it’s close to boiling whisk carefully.
Let it settle and enjoy the prettily coloured bubbles that rise.
Add sugar.
Whisk vigorously but carefully again.
Pour into mug.

Yep, a bit of cold first and mix it to a slurry, like when you add cornflour to cooking.

A restaurant I worked in used to make it in a jug and whizz it with a stick blender - that works too.

in a blender
put in a banana (makes it creamy without the cals) a little honey. add cocoa powder and hot milk.
blend and drink.

You need a Hotel Chocolat velvetiser. It's my little indulgence and absolutely worth every penny!

(I'm very aware you can do the same with a saucepan on the hob and a cheap electric milk whisk!!)

I use a nespresso milk frother thing to make mine and it’s perfect. You can buy them separately I think. Probably not the cheapest option but definitely the best!