What’s a Velvetiser? How to make the perfect hot chocolate

Looking to whip up some smooth, barista-grade hot chocolate? Let us show you how we do it here at Hotel Chocolat with our revolutionary Velvetiser

‘Velvetiser,’ it’s a word that conjures up the feeling of sipping on an irresistibly smooth hot chocolate that caresses your senses. And that’s exactly what you can expect with this unique hot chocolate machine. If you’ve recently purchased a Velvetiser, you may be wondering how to get the most out of it. Say goodbye to those expensive coffee shop trips, and hello to silky velvetised hot chocolate in the comfort of your own home.

Let’s take a look at how the Velvetiser works and explore top hot chocolate-making tips to take your cocoa-brewing to the next level.

What is the Velvetiser?

Imagined and brought to you by a chocolatier, the Velvetiser is an innovative at-home hot chocolate machine. There really is nothing quite like it. The Velvetiser does more than just heating milk. It warms, stirs, and whips your ingredients into a drink with a satisfying texture like no other. What’s more, the Velvetiser quietly works its magic in just 2.5 minutes. Quick to make and easy to clean, it’s the perfect addition to any cocoa lover’s kitchen.

If you’ve ever eagerly sipped on a hot chocolate only to burn your tongue and taint the whole experience, then the Velvetiser is for you. It cleverly heats your drink to the ideal temperature. Hot enough to comfort, cool enough to sip comfortably, and just the right level of heat to unleash the nuanced flavours in our hot chocolate flakes. And with so many flavours to choose from in our Hot Chocolate range, you’ll be spoilt for choice in finding your perfect Velvetiser pairing.

How to make creamy hot chocolate with the Velvetiser

Whether you’ve chosen our chic copper, sophisticated charcoal, or sleek white Velvetiser, you’ll be making your hot chocolate in the same way.

For the perfect cup of cocoa, follow these five easy steps:

1. Take out your favourite mug — we adore using our Ceramic Pod Cups. Inspired by cocoa pods, they’re tactile and comforting to hold.
2. Choose one of our hot chocolate flavours. From classic 50% Milk Chocolate to Salted Caramel, we have a range of irresistible flavours to choose from.
3. Pour 220ml of milk into your Velvetiser — dairy, plant-based, or water will all work just fine.
4. Sprinkle in your hot chocolate. If using one of our hot chocolate sachets, use the whole contents. For our larger pouches, you’ll want 35g (about 6 heaped teaspoons) of hot chocolate flakes.
5. Press the button and let the Velvetiser work its magic. In 2.5 minutes, you’ll have delectable, velvetised hot chocolate.

And then? Enjoy! Sip, cuddle up and soothe the day away. The rich, nuanced flavours in our real chocolate flakes will transport you to your happy place.

The best hot chocolate toppings

If you want to take your hot chocolate to the next level, get creative with your toppings. We think our emphasis on producing premium, high-quality, high-cocoa chocolate means our hot chocolates always shine on their own.

Still, sometimes you just crave that squirt of whipped cream or sprinkling of mini marshmallows! Try grating our Chocolate Batons over your hot chocolate for an extra dose of chocolate flakes. Depending on your flavour, white, 40% milk, or caramel chocolate will add a boost to your brew.

We also love serving our hot chocolates with a single chocolate on the side to give our guests a memorable nibble of our expertly crafted truffles or patisserie-inspired bites. Our Selectors are perfect for this task. Just as serving a caramelised biscuit with your coffee or digestive biscuit with your cup of tea can make your beverage all the more satisfying, we think hot chocolate paired with chocolate is a dream come true.

Try some exciting hot chocolate flavours

Once you’ve mastered using your Velvetiser, we recommend branching out and discovering some of our different hot chocolate flavours. For something creamy and mellow, try our Vanilla White Hot Chocolate Sachets. If you fancy something with a kick, our Dark Chilli Hot Chocolate Sachets really pack a punch. Want to sample a variety of our different hot chocolate flavours? Opt for our Everything Hot Chocolate Sachet Selection.

And if you’re vegan or dairy-free, don’t fear! We have you covered. Our 45% Nutmilk Hot Chocolat Sachets are completely vegan and just as delicious as our regular hot chocolates.

Sometimes, the lack of milk in dairy-free hot chocolates tends to make them a bit too dark and intense, which is why we did things a little differently when creating ours. Made with milled hazelnuts, our nutmilk hot chocolate has all the creamy mellowness of a classic milk hot chocolate, just without the dairy. Trust us, it will go down a treat with vegans and non-vegans alike!

When to enjoy your hot chocolate

At Hotel Chocolat, we believe that whatever the time of day, there is a chocolate to suit. When it comes to the question of the best time to enjoy hot chocolate, there really is no set hour!

Did you know that Mayan warriors used cacao as a power food and drank xocolatl before going into battle? While your battle may be the morning commute, kick-starting your day with a cacao-rich hot chocolate teamed with a buttery croissant is sure to put you on a winning streak.

Of course, you can also enjoy your hot chocolate as a comforting mid-afternoon treat. Curl up on the sofa with a good book and sip the rainy Autumn days away.

The quintessential time of day for a hot chocolate is, of course, the evening after a long day in the fresh air. Think camping trips, skiing in the Alps or a ramble in the countryside. And if you haven’t got the time to take part in such wholesome activities mid-week, hot chocolate is a justifiable treat after a day of countless emails and video calls at work.

What else can I make with the Velvetiser?

On the topic of pre and post-workout elixirs, we’ve got to mention — you can also use your Velvetiser to make gorgeously chocolatey protein shakes. Use either our hot chocolate sachets or Chocolate Latte Sachets, which will help your shake provide you with that extra boost. The end result will be a half mocha, half protein shake — we’ll never say no to that! Indulge in the creamy, milky goodness you adore but benefit from an added dash of protein.

Choose your favourite protein powder plus a few other nutritional additions and customise your shake to your personal taste. The sky’s the limit, get Velvetising!

For more hot chocolate inspiration, check out our articles on Eight Ways To Drink Hot Chocolate Around The World and How To Make Luxury Chocolate Milkshakes At Home.