To think that no instant hot chocolate is worth the calories

[ChocolateSantaisthebestkind]

Just that really. I was heating up some milk to make some HC and DH said 'why not just make the instant? It's quicker and less messy?' I just think if I am going to drink it I might as well enjoy it, but was wondering if there are any delicious ones I am missing?

Many of them are. So far, my favourite at home option has been this slow cooker recipe that my kids made over the holidays (with the chocolate chips replaced with milkyway magic stars as we could not find chocolate chips anywhere). Definitely not low calorie, but delicious and no need to wait for cooldown.

Noting down some of the recommendations though... couldn't hurt much to try .

That was meant to say many of them are watery muck, always find missing words after I hit post

Depends on how much you want hot chocolate and how much you want to lose weight .

Options hot choc - 40 Cals

Hot chocolate made by melting chocolate into hot milk - I would guess around 400 cals

When I was a student there was a local cafe that just did outrageously overdone giant bowls of hot chocolate, all with a raft of cream/marshmallows/half a confectionary stand liquifying on the top. In first year it seemed like every social gathering happened there.

I had a bit of a sweet tooth back then but it was still too much (especially the bottom third of each mug which would be like quicksand). Many years later and the thought of hot chocolate still makes me grimace.

@ReggieKrait

Also really not fussed about the calories. If you’re going to have the odd treat do it properly and enjoy it.

Oh yes fully agreed. Love galaxy hot chocolate. They used to do a pot thing that seemed to be just galaxy chocolate melted with maybe some milk added already, microwave it in the microwave and done. Was sooo good, can't find them though now in Tesco and I'm sure that's where I got it from. Might go search amazon...

There is a Spanish hot chocolate which was recommended on here that is amazing, just search on Amazon for Spanish hot chocolate, comes in a black tin, it's dairy free too which is ideal for our family but really thick and creamy. We do make it with oat milk not water though.

Whittards is amazing as long as it’s made slowly with full fat milk. No other instant compares in my experience!

I like the options ones but most people use a big mug and it only tastes nice if you use a very small mug or half a normal one.

They are not worth the calories if you don't like them, but they are if you do

Haven't read the full thread but Ringtons Hot chocolate is amazing. I always make it with milk not water. I love the Ringtons man coming to visit!

I'm with you OP, any hot chocolate made with water is a crushing disappointment.

You can microwave a mug of milk then add any of the brands of powdery hot chocolate if you want to save on washing up. The type that are more like shavings of chocolate really do turn out better when cooked up in a pan though. Plus I love the smell of milk while it's heating through!

Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser all the way. I have the copper one and I grate Lindt dark chocolate with sea salt into skimmed milk. Sometimes I'll go mad and buy the gold top milk for a serious treat. Top with scooshy cream.

3-4 squares of the chocolate is ideal.

I make cocoa instead. Hot milk, about three teaspoons of cocoa, and sweeten to taste with sugar. I think it's marginally less calorific than the pre-mixed drinking chocolate tubs, and has way less artificial crap than the instant ones.

Options Belgian hot chocolate with a slosh of cream 😊

Do Whittard or Hotel Chocolat’s options count? I have tried plenty from both (whittard has lots of unique limited edition flavours) and typically use almond/oat milk - delicious

Instant hot choc powder with milk is passable. Actual hot chocolate flakes made in milk is the gold standard.

Hot chocolate and water, yuck.

I don’t understand the difference. Aren’t they all instant? Do people mean they melt chocolate for hot chocolate rather than use a powder with added milk?

@unbotheredbutbewildered

Hotel Chocolat hot choclate machine is amazing!

£99 for the machine. Sachets are super cheap and one mix does two people (It's SOOO luxurious). Heats the milk for you. Easy to clean etc.

I was quite taken with this idea until I looked it up. The sachets are £1.30 each! That's not cheap in my book.

I used to love hot chocolate, until it changed.
Tried to find one without palm oil or sweeteners or loads of sugar. I have couple of things in the top of the cupboard, one is carob, the other is a decent one, but I gave up in the end.

I will never be able to replicate the one I once had in a chocolate shop, so am living with the memory of that one.

@Angel2702

I don’t actually like it made with milk. Only hot choc I really like is the options mint one.

Me too.

@AStudyinPink

I don’t understand the difference. Aren’t they all instant? Do people mean they melt chocolate for hot chocolate rather than use a powder with added milk?

By Instant, people mean the powders you make up with boiling water rather than hot milk.

@Lougle we got a £20 milk heater/warmer from Lidl. We use it with hot chocolate powder or instant coffee (or an espresso shot). It's cheap and cheerful, but a step up from basic hot chocolate and three steps up from instant hot choc!
You could also use chocchips, or posh chocolate, but we'd rather eat that!

I really like the Options Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. Made with milk warmed up in the microwave and about three times as much powder as they suggest.

It tastes bloody lovely.

But made the way I do it, definitely not really an Options low calorie drink

By Instant, people mean the powders you make up with boiling water rather than hot milk.

Oh. Urgh.

I'm not a fan of instant hot chocolate but I do like Clipper sachets in b and b's, back in the good old days of travel!