We tested 19 hot chocolate products that can be prepared by adding warm/hot milk or water (as per pack instructions) and are available in major supermarket chains. We did not test white chocolate or flavoured (e.g. mint, coconut) varieties. We included Nestle Milo (but not its other malted/fortified brand equivalents Aktavite, Aldi NRG, Ovaltine or Sustagen) for comparison purposes. 

Price per 100g is based on the pack size specified (not on special) in April 2021.

Tasting

We recruited 114 Voice Your Choice members who regularly drink hot chocolate to participate in this blind taste test. Each participant was randomly assigned seven hot chocolate samples that had been de-identified. They were instructed to prepare each sample according to the pack instructions provided and complete a short taste test survey. Each product was tasted by at least 37 testers. 

Scores

Participants were asked to give an overall taste rating for each hot chocolate sample on a seven-point scale ranging from ‘excellent’ to ‘terrible’. We also asked them to rate the intensity of the hot chocolate flavour, and to select from a range of 10 descriptors those that best describe the hot chocolate. The CHOICE score is based on the overall taste rating, converted to a percentage score.

We recommend hot chocolate with a CHOICE score of 70% or more.