How to make the best vegan hot chocolate

Nothing quite beats the feeling of savouring a comforting mug of hot chocolate on a cold, winter’s eve, and our vegan* options are here to create an indulgent experience.

When it’s too late for coffee, and you’re craving something a touch more indulgent than tea, you can always count on hot chocolate to warm you up. The trouble is, when you’re vegan or dairy free, it can be hard to find a hot chocolate substitute that hits the spot, and sometimes you’re left desperately wishing you could just indulge in the real deal.

Craving a tantalising mint hot chocolate, a smooth hot chocolate with a fiery ginger kick, or even just a classic milk? Luckily, you needn’t revert to your non-vegan ways.Our passionate team of chocolatiers have worked tirelessly to ensure that both our Nutmilk and vegan* hot chocolate recipes make zero compromises on texture or taste.

Expect smooth and intense hot chocolate, whipped and whirled to perfection. Our vegan hot chocolate is so uncompromising in fact, that you can serve it to even the most dedicated dairy lovers, and they’ll swear it’s the real thing.

First things first — is hot chocolate vegan?

It really depends on what you’re drinking. Cacao is inherently vegan because it comes from the seeds of the cacao tree and is 100% plant-based in its natural form. Even if it’s pressed into powder, transformed into cacao nibs, or crushed into cacao paste, these things are all derived from the cacao seed. However, cacao — and any hot chocolate made from cacao — becomes unsuitable for vegans when animal-derived ingredients are added.

The main culprits tend to be powdered cow’s milk, certain types of refined sugar that have been processed with bone char (a granular material derived from animal bones), and other additives and flavourings that contain whey protein, or casein (milk proteins).

The reason we state that our hot chocolate is vegan* is because we prepare our dark hot chocolate and Nutmilk hot chocolate recipes without the addition of powered animal milks or other additives. That way, they can be savoured by everyone.

*We believe our dark and Nutmilk chocolate is suitable for vegans. However, as it is made in the same environment as our milk chocolate, we cannot guarantee it is free from milk.

Picking your perfect vegan hot chocolate sachet

Nothing evokes decision paralysis quite like having to pick a hot chocolate flavour — especially when stood face-to-face with our vegan hot chocolate sachets. No, but seriously. We have to hold our hands up and confess: we haven’t made it easy for you. The truth is, we were so determined to make sure everyone could enjoy our hot chocolate that we went all out on recipes, and now we’ve made it impossible for you to pick. Sorry.

Luckily, picking a hot chocolate isn’t a life or death scenario; you can come back again and try something else next time. Plus, our Vegan Hot Chocolate Selection Box is designed for exactly this kind of dilemma. Why settle on one recipe, when you can taste-test your way through our entire collection? Savour every sip of our Classic 70% Dark, give in to the nutty allure of Hazelnut Praline, or take on the heat of our Chilli Dark Hot Chocolate Sachets.

Former dairy addict, missing the taste of your most-treasured milk chocolate drink? Our 45% Nutmilk Hot Chocolate was made for you. Made with creamy roasted hazelnuts in place of milk, it’s smooth, sumptuous, and every bit as good as its dairy counterpart.

How to make unbelievably good vegan hot chocolate

Now for the best bit — preparing your hot chocolate. There are several methods you can use to make vegan hot chocolate at home, but if you want that thick, indulgent, barista-grade hot chocolate that wraps you in pure cacao comfort, you can’t beat real chocolate flakes in The Velvetiser.

The Velvetiser – our at-home hot chocolate machine – whips up your hot chocolate to just the right consistency and temperature (67°C, to be exact), so you never need to worry about burning your nut milk or making a mess on the stove. You simply leave it to do its thing, and end up with that just-right silky, smooth hot chocolate, every single time. 

What’s not to love?

Ingredients you’ll need for the best vegan hot chocolate:

• One of our vegan hot chocolate sachets (or six teaspoons from our full-size vegan hot chocolate pouch)
• 220ml of your choice of plant milk

How to prepare your vegan hot chocolate

Step 1: Pour your plant milk into The Velvetiser, taking care not to overfill. There’s a max line inside The Velvetiser which shows you where to pour to.

Step 2: Empty the contents of your hot chocolate sachet into The Velvetiser or use your teaspoon to add six small heaps from your pouch.

Step 3: Simply press the button and let the machine work its magic. After 2 minutes and 30 seconds, your ultimate vegan hot chocolate will be all yours. Sit back, relax, and savour every last sip.

Added The Velvetiser to your wish list, but need an alternative hot chocolate method for now? No problem. All of our sachets can be prepared on the hob, just like traditional hot chocolate. It may not be quite as fun, but you’ll still get to enjoy the satisfying taste of our Hotel Chocolat Nutmilk and vegan recipes.

Just so happen to have some of our vegan chocolate batons left over from your Unbelievably Vegan* Sleekster Box? You could nibble on them. Or, you could turn them into deep, decadent hot chocolate…

What you’ll need:

• 30g of our vegan chocolate batons, chopped into small, fine chunks.
• 220ml of your choice of plant milk

Cooking method:

Start by finely cutting up the chocolate, so that you have enough for six heaped teaspoons. Then, using the hob, bring the milk to a gentle simmer in a pan. Once your milk has reached around 82°C, remove it from the heat and whisk in your chocolate.

Which milk is best for vegan hot chocolate?

When it comes to vegan hot chocolate, the key to creating that creamy, indulgent texture lies in choosing the right plant milk. For a taste and texture that rivals the creaminess of cow’s milk, here are our top recommendations:

Hazelnut Milk: Hazelnut milk is naturally sweet with a subtle nuttiness. It also happens to pair beautifully with dark chocolate, enhancing its rich, decadent cacao notes.

Coconut Milk Drinks: Coconut milk drinks (not to be confused with canned coconut milk) balance a subtle sweetness with a thick, creamy texture. Look for barista varieties as these froth particularly well in The Velvetiser.

Soy Milk: Soy is a classic choice, boasting a smooth, neutral flavour, and a creaminess that works wonders in hot chocolate. It was one of the first plant-based milks on the market, and it’s stuck around for a reason.

Oat Milk: Often lauded as creamier than cow’s milk, oat milk is a game-changer for hot chocolate enthusiasts. The barista varieties in particular, are designed to froth beautifully, giving you that café-quality experience at home.

Can I use almond milk instead?

It’s perfectly fine to use almond milk in hot chocolate; however, it tends to be a little thinner and can be temperamental with heat, sometimes separating when warmed. Because it’s a lighter option, it doesn’t quite achieve the creamy decadence of oat or soy.

Almond milk is naturally low in calories, so if you don’t mind a lighter taste, go for it. But if a truly indulgent treat is on the cards, the other milks are a stronger pick.

The final touches to your vegan hot chocolate

Some might argue that our vegan hot chocolate should never be messed with. But if you like the idea of dressing up your hot drinks, try these decadent finishing touches:

Vegan marshmallows

What’s a classic hot chocolate without marshmallows? While traditional options often contain gelatin, vegan marshmallows are here to save the day. Seek out a gelatin-free variety at your local supermarket or online, and let them melt into gooey bliss atop your cup.

Vegan whipped cream

A swirl of whipped cream turns any hot chocolate into a delightful treat. These days, you can find vegan-friendly options at most supermarkets, or make your own for an ultra-luxe topping.

Chocolate shavings

Chocolate on top of chocolate? You needn’t go wild, but a touch more won’t hurt. Grate a few curls of high-quality dark chocolate over your drink for a touch of elegance and an extra hit of cacao goodness.

Sea Salt

Sweet meets salty in a flavour pairing that’s nothing short of genius. Sprinkle a pinch of coarse sea salt on top to enhance the chocolate’s natural sweetness and create a beautifully balanced sip.

Cinnamon Dusting

Prefer something punchier? Top your drink with cinnamon for a warm, aromatic kick. Whether you sprinkle it lightly or go all-in, this smokey spice adds an autumnal touch that’s perfect in cold weather.

Fall in love with vegan hot chocolate

It might be hard to believe, but all of our vegan chocolate boxes, slabs, and hot chocolates contain more cacao, and less sugar. That means you get to indulge in a whole host of vegan treats, without overdoing the sweet stuff.

Desperate to try even more of our vegan delights? Explore our thoughtfully curated vegan chocolate collection for exquisite vegan indulgences that are so good, no one can tell the difference…