The Best Hot Chocolate

Rich, creamy, and perfect to snuggle up with, hot chocolate is enjoyed by kids and adults of all ages. It's even pretty easy to make. What could get better than that? Below, we found and reviewed a few of the best hot chocolates available on the market today so you can find the mix that is right for you in every way. Consider yourself warned, though: it's a near-certainty that you'll be craving a big mug of chocolate-y goodness by the time you reach the bottom of this page.

Nestle Hot Chocolate Packets

The Classic Hot Chocolate Experience

This hot chocolate has that smooth, sweet taste you're looking for as you reminisce on all the cups you enjoyed as a child.
Best Overall

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If you’re looking for a simple-yet-delicious hot chocolate drink mix, you’ve come to the right place. This is a box of 50 single-serve hot chocolate packets, giving you plenty to enjoy with family and friends (or on your own, if that’s the plan).

This hot chocolate drink mix produces a rich, chocolatey flavor every time. All you need to do is add one packet to a cup of hot water or milk, stir, and enjoy. Classic, easy, and delicious; what a wonderful combination it is.

Pros:

  • This hot chocolate is extremely affordable compared to the more “gourmet” or “specialty” cocoas that are sold today
  • It’s caffeine-free, making it safe to share with the precious little ones in your life
  • This product is a part of the Nestle Cocoa Plan, which aims to provide “better lives, better farming, and better cocoa”

Cons:

  • The single-serve packets make this cocoa better for personal cups, instead of a full pot of hot chocolate to share

Swiss Miss Hot Chocolate Pods

Easy Does It

Too busy with your little ones to make a hot treat? Whip one of these pods in the coffee maker and all the work's done for you.
Best Pods

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If you’ve got a coffee maker that takes pods, you’re probably not keen on making your hot beverages manually while you have such an easy-to-use machine sitting right there. If this sounds like you, you’re going to love these Swiss Miss hot chocolate pods.

Along with the convenient pod-style construction, this hot chocolate comes from a brand that has long been known for creating smooth and scrumptious hot cocoa beverages. This purchase will get you 72 pods, so you can enjoy hot chocolate whenever you darn well please.

Pros:

  • The milk chocolate flavor is the perfect way to satisfy your sweet tooth
  • These are compatible with the Keurig brand as well as other pod coffee machines
  • This 72 pack is made up of 12 separately-packaged 6-packs, making storage a breeze

Cons:

  • This has a higher price point, but the large quantity and easy-to-use pod style makes it worth it

Ghirardelli Ground Chocolate Beverage Mix

Ooh-La-La

Feeling fancy? Try this high quality, premium hot chocolate for a change.
Highest Quality

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Sometimes, you just want to set the bar a little higher for your cup of hot chocolate. If you’re looking for an upgrade in your hot chocolate’s flavor, texture, and the quality of its ingredients, this Ghirardelli mix is for you. It comes in a big tub, so you can scoop in the amount that best suits your taste buds.

This premium-grade hot chocolate mix is made from the same cocoa that goes into the well-loved Ghiradelli chocolate products. It’s of the sweet variety, so you can expect a better-than-average milk chocolate flavor.

Pros:

  • This hot chocolate is made from 100% all-natural ingredients, so you can feel good about what you’re taking in (even if it is considered a dessert)
  • You can use this powder for hot chocolate making and  for baking chocolatey desserts

Cons:

  • This has a higher price point per serving, but if you’re looking for quality, it is well worth the few extra bucks

Equal Exchange Hot Cocoa Mix

The Only Exploited Party Here is Your Taste Buds

Enjoy a guilt-free treat with this organic, fair-trade cocoa.
Best Organic

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It’s a well-known fact that cocoa has not always been the most fairly sourced product on the market. However, this Equal Exchange hot chocolate is out to change that. It is 100% grown by small-time farmers who are treated and compensated well throughout the cocoa harvesting process. The back of the can has clear information on exactly where each ingredient comes from, so you can truly see that your purchase stands for something good.

As an added bonus, the ingredient list mentioned above is short and simple. The hot chocolate is organic, so you don’t need to worry about chemicals or GMOs that could potentially be in other hot chocolate mix options.

Pros:

  • This hot chocolate has clean ingredients and a deliciously smooth taste
  • Your purchase gets you a set of 3 cans (which each contain 12 ounces of hot chocolate mix)

Cons:

  • This has more of a cocoa taste compared to the typical milk chocolate flavor, which is only a downside if you prefer a sweeter drink

Real Coffee Dark Hot Chocolate Pods

Dark Chocolate Lovers, Unite

This is the cocoa for us.
Best Dark Chocolate

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Sweet hot chocolate is great, but if you love dark chocolate, you’re likely going to enjoy this drink much, much more. It’s got a heavy cocoa flavor, just like the mouth-watering candies we all enjoy. It also comes in pod form, so you can make it with ease and convenience (as long as you’ve got a pod-style coffee maker).

This dark hot chocolate is rich and creamy, and it’s loved by many adults and kids alike. Your purchase will get you 40 pods (4 packs with 10 pods each), allowing you to enjoy the warm beverage on many occasions.

Pros:

  • The pod that these come in ensures you can still enjoy hot chocolate even on your busiest days
  • The flavor is unique and well-loved by anyone who loves dark chocolate

Cons:

  • This may not be the best option for sweet and sugary drink lovers
  • This may leave a residue in your coffee machine, so you will want to run hot water through it after making your drink to ensure it’s clean for the next use

Frequently Asked Questions

What other ingredients can I gather to make my hot chocolate even more delicious and fun?

Hot chocolate is great because it can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. You may want to try yours with marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate sauce, or even sprinkles. It’ll also go amazing alongside a scone, biscotti, or other baked goods.

Which hot chocolate mixes are best for families with members of all ages?

Hot chocolate is a fun and delicious treat for kids and grown-ups alike. If you want something that your little ones are sure to enjoy, you may want to try one of the sweeter milk chocolate options that are shown above.