Find out what Mumsnet testers thought of the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser

[JustineBMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for the Mumsnet users who have been testing the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser with their families.

Testers, please share your feedback by answering the following questions and completing the short survey we've emailed you:

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?
2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?
3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.
4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?
5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Finally, if you have any pictures you’re happy to share - of using the Velvetiser or of the drinks you created - we’d love to see them on the thread below alongside your feedback.

If you didn’t take part in the product test but own a Velvetiser, please feel free to share your feedback by answering the above questions - you’ll be entered into a £100 voucher prize draw, and the first 15 non-testers to share their feedback will receive their choice of Hotel Chocolat’s new Black Forest Gateau or Salted Caramel & Clementine flavour sachets (subject to providing delivery details).

Here’s what Hotel Chocolat has to say: “The Velvetiser is the ultimate go-to machine for creating barista-grade velvety chocolate drinks. From indulgent hot chocolates, delectable milkshakes to boozy cocktails – create your favourites in just 2.5 minutes. Whatever your lifestyle, the Velvetiser delivers.”

Thanks and good luck!

MNHQ

Insight Terms and Conditions apply

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I had the copper one and it’s lovely - very smart. That was my choice and there wasn’t a colour “missing” from the options I would have preferred. It’s smaller than I expected and stores away easily. The downside of it being smaller is you can only make one drink at a time.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Very easy to use, clean and store (due to size). No fiddly bits or tricky corners. Pleasantly surprised.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

We made hot chocolate with milk and with water, and frothed milk for coffee. We didn’t make any cold drinks as the process sounds like a faff. The process was very easy and I liked the fact I could just leave it while I did other things. As I said above, the downside is each drink has to be made individually. It is very easy. Only criticism is the “max” line inside the machine is difficult to see.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I loved the mint - absolutely spot on mintiness without being overwhelming. My kids liked the salted caramel and classic. I see they do a peanut butter one which I’ll have to check out. The individual sachets are quite expensive, but I think you can buy bigger packs once you’ve found the flavours you like. I was shocked by the calories though - definitely a treat! I’d be interested in a range of flavoured coffee with decaf options.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I just used the sachets, garnished with cream and marshmallows

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I have the charcoal one, it fits in with our kitchen and the style is great but functional too.love the pouring spouts on both side for left or right handed pouring.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It couldn't be simpler. Its great that you can make a drink, then do another one straight after without waiting for it to cool down.
Cleaning wise, we put water and a drop of washing up liquid and run a cycle, rinse and wipe dry. Very simple.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

We haven't used it for cold drinks as its not something we would drink. We were sent the vegan plain and the mint which is also dairy free. Its so easy, fill to max line with milk, we use soya, tip your sachet/chocolate/powder/coffee in then press the button. Takes about 2.5 minutes to make and always perfectly mixed and frothed with no lumps or unmixed chocolate.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

The mint is my favourite. Would like to see a full vegan range please.

*5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I made the plain and mint hot choc, also used instant coffee to make latte, very nice. Have attached photo of the coffee. I've used normal hot chocolate powder that you add to milk and it comes out much nicer than when you make it normally.

The non vegan of the family has tried more things as there are Youtube videos of people trying all different types of chocolate so they got the idea and did Aero, Maltesers, choc orange, Oreo, caramel.

Forgot to also show a photo of the mint hot choc with some of the choloate saved for sprinkling.

Retaining some of the chocolate for sprinkling is a genius idea @VeganCow

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?
We have the charcoal one too and it fits in with our kitchen. I would be happy to see brighter colours like red.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?
Extremely easy to use. The teenagers were very quick to work it out and use it for themselves. Running it with water and washing up liquid to clean it is great and something the children would do without being asked.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.
We used it for hot drinks rather than cold as we don't normally drink a lot of cold milkshake type drinks. It was extremely simple. I agree that the max level wasn't very easy to see but the process was very straightforward. Both my teenagers used it as well as me and none of us had any issues. I used it to froth milk for coffee as well.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?
I enjoyed the vegan mint more than I was expecting I wasn't sure if the combination would work. It is probably my favourite. I bought Nutmilk to try but it was a bit too sweet for my taste. DS2 asked for the Vanilla - White which he liked - he said it was like ice cream. I'd happily try more non-dairy options - possibly the Hazelnut Hot Chocolate would be a less sweet alternative to the Nutmilk.

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!
The DC used cows milk and found it very good. I experimented with different plant milks to see how well they worked. I found oat and coconut both tasted good with the chocolate but didn't froth much. Cashew nut milk was better for froth but the best by a long way was soya milk. All the plant milks worked but soya had the best and most stable froth (see the photo of the coffee I've just made).
I solved the problem of the Nutmilk being too sweet by using half Nutmilk and half Classic 70%

We've really enjoyed testing this, thank you.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I think it looks really smart. We have the charcoal one, which according to the kids was the most boring option. I'm not really bothered about colour, would have gone for red if that had been an option.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Really easy to use (although it sometimes makes a strange noise which worries me). Cleaning is more of a challenge - I run it with water and washing up liquid as instructed and more often than not find that doesn't get it clean. It's then a bit of a pain to get bits of chocolate off the whisk and inside. It's also irritating that once you've used it the hot chocolate inside covers the lines telling you min and max liquid. As for storage, it's not yet made it off the work surface due to regular use.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I hadn't clocked you could make cold drinks but can't think of any I'd want to anyway. We've tried sachets of hot chocolate and roped other people in to test the lattes (no-one in our house drinks them). We've tried it with supermarket hot chocolate which also works well (no Hotel Chocolat shop nearby, and their prices definitely make them a treat!) We also tried it with Pro-Zero (protein-free milk) and grated protein-free chocolate for a family member with major dietary restrictions and that went down well, not least as she's so often excluded from treats.

My husband would like it to be hotter, I like that it's perfect drinking temperature.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Salted caramel was the clear winner here. We also liked ginger and orange. I quite fancy trying the black forest gateau, although the price and the non-recyclable sachets put me off. Latte was described as 'not undrinkable' by my dad which is damning with faint praise if ever I heard it, and the hazelnut latte didn't go down very well with a friend who tried it. We'll be sticking to the chocolate I think.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

The only variation I've tried thus far was to add amaretto to dark chocolate, which I can highly recommend. My main problem is that they all taste too good and I really don't need to get into drinking it every day.... Loving it as an option for a treat though.

Ahead of the below I just have to say we love the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser so much! I’m a massive fan of a kitchen gadget but I find most a let down, the Velvetiser exceeded expectations!

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

Lovely looking gadget, sleek and compact. Not too fiddly and not many parts so very easy to store (although mine lives out on the side as it’s used so frequently! With the current trend I think a navy blue colour would be well received!

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

So easy. Really clear where the minimum and maximum liquid lines are, press a button and hey presto the best warm drink you can make at home. Easy to clean, the non stick surface means it just needs a soft cloth run around it and rinsing with water.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

All of them! All the hot chocolates, all of the lattes, the best of all is it makes an incredible babyccino, my 4 year old is always pestering me to make him one at home (like the cafe does) but every gadget I have used to froth milk has been a let down! Best of all the temperature is just right so no scalding your tongue! I’m also a big fan of an iced latte and this has made that process so much easier. When it arrived we didn’t have any dairy milk in the fridge so used my husband’s coconut milk (which I usually detest) well a coconut hot chocolate made in the Velvetiser is a revelation!

I can’t wait to figure out how to make mulled wine in it!

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Mulled wine?! Just a sachet of the mulled flavour to add to red wine in the Velvetiser?

I loved the white chocolate and the chocolate orange. The lattes are quite sweet, which I don’t mind but my husband would prefer it to be less sweet.

Maybe a low cal option (although, who am I kidding, they’re not exactly a low cal treat 😁)

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Tia Maria and coffee, so good!
Nutella hot chocolate
Barista style babyccino!

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

It looks very smart and stylish. It was a bit smaller than I expected, but it’s a handy size. We got the charcoal, which I love. The only other colour I’d like to see is bright red.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Very simple and straightforward to use. Easy to clean and store away.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

We made hot chocolate, mint hot chocolate and hot frothy oat milk. Very simple to make the drinks. It only makes one drink at a time which can become time consuming when making drinks for the whole family.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

We preferred the dark chocolate to the mint chocolate. We’re planning to get the nut milk and hazelnut hot chocolate to try next. I’d like to try a vegan white chocolate and a vegan mocha.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Just the standard hot chocolate and hot oat milk.

The drinks were so smooth and delicious. I really haven’t tasted anything quite like it before. Very impressed.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

Love the look, looks 'posh' on the side. Would have loved a red version.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Very easy to use, pour add mix press button and walk away. Would like a bigger version to make 2 drinks at once, by the time I'd made the second the first had been drunk ! Also would like the option of a standard temp and a hotter temp for anyone who drinks drinks at the temp of the sun.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser?

The hot chocolates are like nothing we'd had before! So rich and lush (and lots of calories !) found putting squirty cream on it cooled it down too much, also adding baileys (Hic) did. Didn't like the drinks as much as it cooled down. Had one where the chocolate set on the top of the milk - it's don't leave it on the side, drink it straight away ! Not keen on the latte sachets, tbh we made coffee 'normally' and added hot frothed milk from the velvetiser - which made an equivalent of a coffee bar !

What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

Dead easy, even my unimpressed DS used it, press button pour (nice a d easy) and drink. Didn't make a cold drink - doesn't seem as luxury.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Favourite by far was the salted caramel flavour. Maybe the option to buy a bottle of hotel chocolate syrups for different flavours ?

Lovely as a treat but a low calorie option for normal days (did make some options up in it and whilst the taste wasn't comparable) the calories saved made it a good option. The Options hot choc made in it was lovely and frothy.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Added some sugar free cherry syrup to make a chocolate cherry flavour one! Bailey's added made it lush .....

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I think it is really neat, small and has a classic appearance. I’d like to see a cream version as that is what I would have chosen but the white one is lovely.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Really really easy to use! Easy and a quick to clean - which is so important. I leave it out next to the kettle as it looks neat and reminds me to use it! It is also really quiet when it is working.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I used the vegan hot chocolate and the vegan mint chocolate- the sachets smell divine when I open them, and the final product is so unbelievably creamy - yes - velvety! I have also tried it with a spoon of coffee - a fantastic latte in my own home. I use soya milk or oat milk. The process is so safe and simple, anyone could try it.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I’d love a vegan chocolate orange! I like both the dark chocolate and the mint, depends what mood I’m in.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I added vegan ice cream to the dark hot chocolate- was amazing mmmm!

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I chose the charcoal version and thought it looked very stylish. I was happy with the choices of colours given.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

I found it incredibly easy to use and clean and it's left out permanently next to the kettle.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I didn't try making cold drinks as it looked a bit of a faff and I prefer hot drinks. I chose the latte selection and hot chocolate selection. It made both lovely and frothy!.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I honestly didn't have a favourite, my family and I enjoyed both the lattes and hot chocolates. Perhaps the milky hot chocolate went down the best.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I sprinkled chocolate powder onto some of the drinks for a luxurious touch. I tried adding Bailey's to the hot chocolate but I found it cooled it down too much.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?
We had the copper colour and I love it. The metallic finish goes with other appliances we have. I think the colour options are a reasonable selection.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?
It's really easy to use and that means we use it a lot. Just put the milk and flakes in and press the button. I was concerned about the faff of cleaning, but this was easy too. We rinse it between uses and run it with water and washing liquid (as per the instructions) as needed. It is nice and quiet when it runs, although if we have the radio on it can be hard to tell when it is finished!

It suits us that it makes one cup at a time as we all like different flavours. We did find that when you make a second drink straight away, it is quite hard to see the max fill line.

The drinks come out at the perfect temperature to drink right then. This works well for the children and suits my husband having one before work. I like mine a bit hotter so I can savour it, so I often microwave it for 15-20 seconds after. I have seen advice to pre-warm the cup with hot water but the microwave is easier. I would like there to be an extra hot setting though, as it's a shame to have an extra step to an otherwise really easy process!

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.
We have used it to make hot chocolate, lattes and mochas. We have also made iced drinks, which is a bit more effort but works well. We considered adding chocolate liqueur etc the drinks but haven't done yet, as it feels enough of a treat with just the hot chocolate.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?
We have different favourites in our family. We like salted caramel, hazelnut, dark, orange, mint, white and vanilla. We also liked some of the lattes. We have bought some bags of hot chocolate afterwards rather than the measured sachets and couldn't get the orange flavour this way.

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!
We have been mixing 2 flavours e.g. dark and mint, dark and salted caramel. We have also tried adding coffee afterwards (adding before mixing didn't work as the coffee lost it's flavour).

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I loved the colour (rose Goldy colour) and it looks very stylish and compact. A nice blue colour could be interesting.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store? Very easy, although a bit frustrating you can only do one at a time. Cleaning was easy.
2. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

It's very easy to use, and the process makes it easy for the kids to do. I loved the salted caramel hot chocolate. I wasn't too keen on the lattes though.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat? Salted caramel was definitely a winner here.
2. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I haven't tried any of my own recipes, as the chocolates were amazing as is .

I’m not a tester (didn’t enter as I already have one) but I want to give my opinion too

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?
It’s a beauty - nicer than I thought from the photos. Compact but sturdy. Mine is copper and it’s beautiful. I think the colours available suit every taste. Funky colours could look nice though - like kitchenaid colours.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?
Very easy to use and to clean. Mine is kept on the work surface so no storing but it’s compact and doesn’t need a lot of room.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.
I bought a box of “everything” with my velvetiser so tried a fair few. The process is really simple, couldn’t be simpler. The only think I would change would be the ability to make two drinks rather than just one. I tried making a cold drink but I wasn’t that cold, so I will have to try again to see what I did wrong.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?
Salted caramel ♥️

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share
I didn’t create my own yet but I can see a bit of Merlyn going in my hot chocolate as the nights get colder

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I have a grey one - its ...ok?

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It is easy to use, clean and store (due to size). No fiddly bits or tricky corners. I like the cleaning routine
It would be good if you could make more than one at a time

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I didnt know you could make cold drinks - only made hot choc - tried different milks, semi skimmed (very good) skimmed (very good) coconut (very good) oat (NOT very good)

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

I have only used non hotel chocolate ones - charbonnel & walker (very good) , and works well mixed with an 'instant' hot chocolate

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

would like to try some of the sachets - and will be trying some google recipes

I actually got this for my birthday (which is next month) but opened early as my DC was feeling low

I am not a tester as I received this for Christmas last year!

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I think it looks smart even just sat on the top (we keep it next to the kettle so it's always readily available!). I like the colours available as it gives it a more premium feel. I think other colours might look a bit cheap.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

So easy to use. I sometimes need to wipe the whisk a bit but otherwise fine. It's small so easy to store if needed. It's great there's only 3 parts to it!

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I use the ready measured sachets of hot chocolate and flavoured coffee. So simple to make as you just pour the sachet over the milk. The fill line can be difficult to see in low light however. Making cold drinks was much more complex and I didn't enjoy the end product so stick to hot now.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Mint is great and you can't beat the classic. Perfect balance of flavours. A decaf coffee range would be great.

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I just use the sachets as I can't be bothered to grate chocolate!

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available? It's a nice looking item. The shape is pleasingly "retro" in that it looks like a stove top out and the copper colour I had is a nice unusual colour. I was surprised there wasn't a silver version and I would have liked a bright red one.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store? it was really easy to use and would be easy to store if I'd put it away. The footprint was so small I left it out though. I think if it had been put away it would have been used less. it poured easily and I liked the smooth interior due to the magnetic whisk. I didn't find the cleaning as easy as it should have been. The cleaning cycle left smears around the base so I had to wash the pot under the tap, being careful not to get the base wet. This was doable but awkward. I found the drinks were slightly below my preferred temperature - 15 to 20 seconds in the microwave fixed this though. I can see how you wouldn't want it too hot for children due to safety reasons though.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.. The process for making cold drinks was too much of a faff unfortunately. This was a shame. Hot drinks were really easy though. As others have said, the min/max lines were difficult to see when filling the pot.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat? I think the Mint one and the Classic were my favourites. The Ginger one was truly horrible which was a shame as it was the first I tried. I found a lot of them had an odd aftertaste to them though - kind of artificial. I loved the first of the coffee ones I tried but did not no enjoy subsequent ones as much.

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share! I didn't get to make recipes as such. It did a fine job of frothing up milk for a latte - far better than the frother on my espresso maker! It also improved the drink made from the cheap supermarket hot drink powder I had in my cupboard .

Unfortunately, my co-tester daughter caught Covid at the start of this and lost her sense of taste completely 🤦🏻‍♀️ She has therefore been unable to offer any feedback!

I was disappointed that the sachets were not recyclable, although I think the packaging said you were working on this.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I have the copper one. It’s out on the counter in winter months and looks good there I think. Feels good quality, not plasticky etc.

1. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

Cleaning is easy as long as you don’t forget. If you do forget takes a bit of a soak to get rid of sour milk smells. But that’s really my fault! Otherwise self clean method works well. Storage wise is mostly just sat on counter. It’s not massive so that’s fine.

1. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

Only made hot drinks with packets bought from hotel chocolate and also a tub. Easy to use. You can only do one at a time, so fine for a family, but you couldn’t easily use it to cater for large groups.

1. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

Love the milk chocolate one and the salted caramel one. Possibly not sophisticated enough for the very dark one. Also love the hazelnut one. More nut ones works appeal to me. Like the sounds of the Black Forest one!

1. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Sorry probably just used in a fairly basic manner thus far. Might read this thread for some ideas!

Just to add not a tester as I own mine, did this as I fancy the freebies!

I am not a tester - I signed up but wasn’t chosen, but then Hotel Chocolat sent me a voucher for money off so I bought one anyway!

What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

I think it looks very classy. I’ve got the copper colour and it’s lovely. I would have chosen copper even if it was available in other colours, although a silver or pure black one would be nice.

How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It’s very easy to use, although I agree with other testers that the max fill line can be hard to see. It’s easy to clean and doesn’t take up much room in the cupboard although it’s smart enough to be left out on the worktop.

Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

I’ve only made hot chocolate in it - the process for cold drinks sounds a bit faffy especially as I never have ice cubes around! It’s very easy to make hot drinks in it.

Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

My favourite is the Classic, and DD likes the milky one. We both liked orange and I liked mint and salted caramel. Neither of us liked ginger or chilli. I like the sound of Black Forest so will try that soon. I’m impressed by the range of flavours available and can’t think of anything else I would like to see.

Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I’ve only used it for hot chocolate, but have seen that you can use it to make chocolate sauce so will give that a go next time I have a pudding that needs chocolate sauce.

Overall I’m really pleased with it, it’s not the cheapest way to have hot chocolate but the drinks are lovely and it’s a nice treat (and still cheaper than hot chocolate from a cafe).

I've just tried the white chocolate & vanilla one and it was lovely. Too sweet to drink all the time but perfect on a miserable October day!

1. I like the look of the Velvetiser, it would fit in any style of kitchen. Colours are lovely. I'd like to see a dark brown glossy one.
2. It is really easy to use and clean. Looks good enough to store on the worktop which makes it always available to use.
3. I just use it for hot drinks, it is straightforward to use.
4. Salted caramel is my favourite flavour, delicious!
5. I almost always use it for hot chocolate made with soya milk, sometimes with a few little marshmallows on top.

1. What did you think of the look and style of the Velvetiser? What colors would you like to see available?

The look and style are understated and lovely. I opted for the copper, I think I should have opted for white, but that doesn't change my overall high opinion of the machine.

2. How did you find the Velvetiser to use? How easy was it to clean and store?

It was very easy to use. It's one of those things that could be used without instructions if you (or your partner 😒) are the type to do such a thing. I cleaned it after use by adding cold water and washing up liquid and turning it on. Most times I had to do this twice, but cleaning this was always done whilst cleaning everything else so having it clean itself with minimal input was a great experience.

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

My friend and I tried it before I made drinks for the family. She and I have very different tastes so it was funny having her laugh at me for being excited about mint chocolate whilst she was chomping at the bit for white chocolate. The white chocolate actually tasted a lot like a white hot chocolate I used to buy years ago from either costa or Starbucks.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

Posted too soon 🤦🏼‍♀️

3. Which drinks did you make with the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser? What did you think about the process of using the Velvetiser to make the drinks you tried? Please consider the process for making both hot and cold drinks.

We used the included sachets a lot, I've come to really look forward to my velvetiser latte each day. The process for hot drinks was perfectly simple. The process for cold drinks was a bit more drawn out, had I been using this in the depths of the summer months however I feel the process would have been worth it as it was nicer than Starbucks iced lattes.

4. Of the flavours you tried, which did you like most? Is there anything you’d like to try, or anything new you’d like to see from Hotel Chocolat?

My favourite included sachet drinks were the mint, the white and the orange. I would love to see more fruity combos, and more combos with milk as opposed to 70%+ as milk chocolate is more of an instant crowd pleaser treat, you kind of have to be in the mood for a dark hot chocolate.

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

I experimented by adding baileys to some chocolate drinks and tia Maria to others. I'm honestly in love with baileys in these, I would absolutely recommend a boozy velvetiser hot chocolate to any MNer who likes alcoholic drinks. I also grated my own chocolate to make new varieties. The main one that I can recommend is grated kinder chocolate, which I used to make drinks for DC, and they were extremely happy to be drinking their favourite chocolate bars. I think the experience of experimenting with this machine has been wonderful and we'll be using this machine for a long time.

5. Which recipes did you use with the Velvetiser? Did you create any of your own? We’d love to see them if you have any to share!

As a "what would happen if I..." experiment, I dropped a generous dollop of Biscoff spread in. Heavenly.

I can see Nutella going down well too and I'm tempted to try peanut butter but I only have crunchy.