Waitrose Dark Chocolate Drink
Faced with the choice of milk or dark chocolate I decided on the latter. The packaging is classic Waitrose, simple yet elegant and a tad retro with a polka dot cuppa on the front. A brand I was looking forward to but soon found myself disappointed by the sight of the powder colour, which did not look dark or of good quality. No surprise that the actual taste was disappointing too as it failed to fill me with the richness of a hot chocolate drink even though you’re meant to put four to six heaped teaspoons. Perhaps with milk it would be richer and more satisfying.
Price: €4.10 for 400g
Nestle Le Chocolat
I have to admit that this looked promising; can you blame me? It’s Nestle, after all. Up until the point I opened the big tin, saw the dark powder and set out a cup I was looking forward to a dreamy, full-flavoured dark delight. Instead all I got was a watery drink with a hint of chocolate. Not sure what went wrong but it could’ve been better and would have been the star on this list, especially with the value for money product that it is.
Price: €3.88 for 500g
Options Belgian Choc
I was immediately taken by the mention of Belgian Chocolate even though the plastic packaging did nothing for my style senses. And to think that it is targeted at women due to its promise of keeping calories and fat low! This is surprising seeing as Options made for one of the creamiest and richest flavoured hot chocolates on our list. Perhaps it’s the smooth Belgian chocolate, who knows? What I do know is that I can definitely see myself enjoying Options on a night in, even if there weren’t only 40 calories in one cup.
Price: €4.70 for 220g
Naturata
From the packaging, you can tell this is an organic hot chocolate drink for kids. It’s made with raw cane sugar and cocoa, which means that there is a high dosage of sweetness but it is forgivable as it really isn’t that obvious, meaning it makes for a healthy sweet alternative. I had my three-year-old nephew try it, who wasn’t too keen on the hot version but loved the cold. The price tag may seem a bit heavy for some but remember this is organic and quality and quantity are taken into consideration.
Price: €6.60 for 400g
Available from health food stores
Bellarom Hot Chocolate
It’s funny how Lidl’s cheap hot chocolate drink looked the most expensive when lined up with the rest. Perhaps it’s the dark packaging that looks glass but is in fact plastic or perhaps it’s the posh Italian looking label and name. Either way, surprisingly we found a winner in Bellarom. While it does boast shedloads of sugar and flavourings, I must admit it tasted good. Creamy but not too much, rich but with just the right body, this constitutes a great and tasty bargain.
Price: €1.59 for 400g
Available from Lidl
Cadbury Hot Chocolate
Our list just wouldn’t be complete or even valid if we didn’t include the king of hot chocolate drinks. As much as I’d like to hand the throne to other contestants that are just as worthy, I have to give it to Cadbury for staying on top all these years. Rich, chocolatey, smooth, satisfying even for the biggest fans of dark chocolate, Cadbury can make for one naughty delight but at least you know you’ll enjoy it.
Price: €1.98 for 250g
Whittard of Chelsea White Hot Chocolate
Thank God for Whittard of Chelsea! It pulled us right out of the boring slum of basic hot dark chocolate and introduced this heavenly white hot chocolate. There are so many fans of this type it really is strange how no other brand has come up with the idea of making it a hot drink. Just like most Whittard products, this too is truly a remarkable play on the tastebuds. It feels sinfully wrong especially when you see the pure eye-hurting white powder but once it’s mixed with the hot milk, you know you are in for an unbeatable treat.
Price: €7 for 400g
Available from: 14 Menandrou Street, Nicosia. Tel: 22-465533
