Advice needed on Hôtel Chocolat hot chocolate!

[teaandcake246]

I’m told that Hotel Chocolat do particularly nice hot chocolate, and I’ve been given their “classic” hot chocolate, which is 70% cocoa and says it has “the deep, smooth taste of our 70% dark chocolate”. I adore dark chocolate, but some of my friends don’t like it and prefer milk. I’m wondering whether I should buy milk chocolate hot choc so as to cater to all tastes, or whether the “classic” one would taste like the milk one if I added extra sugar. Grateful for any thoughts on this! :)

Not sure it would work, it isn't just that the milk one is sweeter. I think adding sugar to the dark might just make it taste weird....They are both delicious so I'd just keep both in, or buy a box of sachets of the milk (ones you get for the velvetiser) and a tub of dark for yourself.

You sound like a lovely friend! If these are people you have around a lot and you know what brand or type they like then it would be nice to buy some of that in, keeping the dark stuff just for you, or as PP says maybe get some sachets if you can rather than a full jar in case of waste (does hot choc go stale eventually, I guess so?).

But otherwise I think they should take what they are offered! Some of my friends/family are big into their herbal teas and I do nab a stack of those individually wrapped ones if I'm in a hotel or conference centre for work particularly if they have fancy brands but otherwise they get the bog standard box of lemon and ginger I always have in and lump it! A bit like how I am a coffee drinker and have fancy fresh ground beans at home but I'd never turn my nose up at a cup of nescafe at a friend's house - but then maybe I'm just not as good a host as you

Thank you very much for the replies! :)

I work next door to one, so I am totally happy to go and try all their samples for you if you need a steer? Maybe once a day for a couple of months will allow me to make an informed judgement...

Oo, that sounds a fab plan!! :)

Seriously, I’d love your opinion on how the milk compares to the 70%!

I'd say the 70% is a more intense flavour and not sweet, but still not bitter like the higher percentage chocolate, whereas the milk is smoother, more comforting and a bit sweeter, but still a richer taste than most high street hot chocolates and less sugary. I should clarify I drink it using skimmed milk. Milks with higher fat content definitely taste much creamier and even yummier!

If it matters to you the calories are far higher in the 70% which to my mind is absolutely the wrong way round. The milk tastes like it it should be far more calorific.

@tldr I agree, that’s surprising!

@Pashazade Thanks - they both sound gorgeous!!

The chilli one is lovely too. Makes a great chilli chocolate sauce to pour over ice-cream/pudding/cake/fruit if you make it up with less liquid.

I haven't tried the Hotel Chocolat one yet (they refused to process my order, the bastards :( haha) but after extensive research and trials, my verdict is Asda Premium range hot chocolate is delicious and one of the best ones out there. And I love dark chocolate, but yes the Asda hot chocolate is smooth, chocolatey, indulgent and delicious!

Dh bought the milk version for the kids - they have not been impressed, not worth the money - apparently Cadbury's is better.

I've tried lots of different hot chocs and don't think the Hotel chocolat one is worth the money.

I like green and blacks hot chocolate and Jamie Oliver has a hot chocolate recipe that's really good too.

I can also recommend Asda’s luxury hot chocolate. It’s one of the best I’ve tried. I also put a glut of cream in to give it an extra creamy taste. Half a teaspoon of corn powder also gives it that continental texture.

I use half the amount of the 70% when making my kids a hot chocolate and it works well. Still chocolatey but not as intense.

Glug not glut. Damn autocorrect.
Although, glut could also be correct with the amount I sometimes put in

I'm a lover of "proper" hot chocolate and a big fan of hotel chocolate but I'm really quite disappointed with the hot chocolate they sell , it's not as chocolaty as I like . Much better alternatives are cocoba or chococo imo

Oh I didn't know Chococo did hot chocolate, recently received some of their chocolates as a gift and they were amazing.

I’m intrigued now and have to know how often you have friends over for hot chocolate!

I get the selection pack from HC so I can have a choice. My favourite is the salted caramel.

Love my Velvetiser too.