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?

@VikingsandDragons

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.

I bought this after reading about it one here, just finshed the last tin, sold in 3's. Personally I found it far too sweet, I prefer Green and Blacks. The Spanish stuff is currently unavailable on Amazon, a Brexit victim?

@edwinbear

I like the 'Options' ones, but I make it like tea, with hot water and a bit of milk.

Seconded, but I haven't seen them in shops for a while.

I quite like the galaxy instant on occasion.

I have the Options Bournville (because it’s low carb rather than low calorie) and then add splash of milk or glug of cream which makes it richer. I sometimes add shot of brandy too

I am tempted to make one with 80% dark choc, some almond milk and cream though. *off to Amazon to look for a frothy stick thing!

For really luxurious hot chocolate the Mexican one you melt into a pan of full fat milk is the nicest.
Cadburys powder in hot milk is good too though.

Instant hot chocolate is the work of the devil. As a non-coffee drinker it pisses me off that it has become so ubiquitous and that cafes etc serve shitty synthetic tasting non-chocolate with a squirt of cream and marshmallows and charge 4 quid for it.

It our house hot chocolate = a mug of milk, heated in the microwave for 50 seconds and then a decent teaspoon of cocoa and a level teaspoon of sugar mixed in. Simple, easy, and actually tastes of chocolate. And even better with Baileys on a cold day.

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

I also found this one very sweet. The best Spanish hot chocolate I've found is the own brand in Spanish supermarket chain, Mercadona.

But they're all just cocoa, cornflour, sugar and milk, like a chocolate flavour thin custard.

@BarbaraofSeville

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

I also found this one very sweet. The best Spanish hot chocolate I've found is the own brand in Spanish supermarket chain, Mercadona.

But they're all just cocoa, cornflour, sugar and milk, like a chocolate flavour thin custard.

Yes, just add a little cornstarch to your preferred hot chocolate to thicken it. Achieves the same result.

I only like proper cocoa powder (not Hot Choc) in milk - with about half a teaspoon of sugar, or Charbonnel et Walker, which is basically grated chocolate.

Most Hot Chocolate mixes are too sweet and not chocolatey enough. Or you have to add so much to get the chocolate hit that the sweetness becomes unbearable.

Cadburys factory cafe, make theirs using hot milk and cadburys chocolate buttons!! I might try that too!

3 teaspoons of powder. Splash of milk. Mix into a paste. Add hot water. Stir.

@edwinbear

I like the 'Options' ones, but I make it like tea, with hot water and a bit of milk.

I’m the same, but I make it 50/50 water and skimmed milk.

We do a handful of chocolate buttons in a mug, tbsp on boiling water on to mix/melt, top up with hot milk, kids say its the best ever. We have tried orange Cadbury and white buttons for a change and both work well

I grated a small bar of Tony's yesterday and poured boiling milk on it, also added some marshmallows - it was epic

Asda own hot chocolate (in a purple pouch) is way better than any other imo. Especially made with half hot water and half oat milk with an added spoon of sugar.

I don’t like hot chocolate at all, even the smel, turns my stomach.

But my children make it with milk, & love it. Wouldn’t dream of using water. Currently have a huge tin of Galaxy.

It is much nicer (apparently) with actual chocolate though.

quietly

I actually really like Cadbury High Lights and they're only 40 cals

*slinks away

@JovialNickname

quietly

I actually really like Cadbury High Lights and they're only 40 cals

*slinks away

Me too. This thread is a bit snobby!

If it's hot, sweet and tastes vaguely chocolatey I'm happy. It's gone in a few gulps.

I don't think melted chocolate, milk and cream is worth the calories.(about 400, compared to 30 in an instant choc.)

I have options hot chocolate made with milk. Tasty 😊

Caotina is the only powder hot chocolate worth buying. You can buy white, milk or dark. It always mixes in well, not too sweet and works well with milk or oat milk

Lidl and aldi are both nice. Green and blacks also lovely. I mix 3 tsp with a drip of water, make a paste and add hot water and milk. If I have any double cream in the fridge I add a trickle. Also baileys. Hotel chocolat do a sachet which is basically grated chocolate. I add to a cup of hot milk.

I’ve recently made Parisienne hot chocolate/chocolat chaud. Oh my days, it’s amazing.

Bring milk to a simmer, add chocolate, bring to the boil then lower heat to a fastish simmer. Simmer for 3-5 minutes. It thickens up and is amazing. You can cool it and reheat it too and it becomes even thicker.

Other than that the Tesco Finest Santo Domingo powder made with milk is nice. I have a usb chargeable mini whisk that makes it all frothy.

Love my velvetiser, it was a surprise present and gets used every day. Green & Blacks with semi skimmed milk for standard hot chocolate; HC 70% with a slug of Baileys for a treat. And frothy coffee every morning. Love it.

But the Hotel Chocolat sachets are not cheap and definitely do not serve two, they are smaller than a standard mug.

YANBU

When I think hot chocolate think I’ve realised I want something more like actual chocolate sauce. So always disappointed.

Willie's cacao - ethically sourced chocolate pioneer based in Deven sells pure chocolate cylinder blocks (can buy in Waitrose by cooking ingredients) Suggested recipe for hot chocolate adds minimal sugar and no milk - it is the think style hot chocolate drink and it really is amazing - I sometimes add a milk top from my milk frother but you really don't need it. Recommend his chocolate and website - there was also a documentary about him a few years back which was a good watch - Willie's chocolate factory I think it was called.