Cosy season has officially arrived. The cooler nights of October are drawing in and I can think of few things better than warming up with a steaming mug of hot chocolate, or two.
Gone are the days of a meagre selection of one or two hot chocolate sachets in your cupboard; this indulgent drink seems to have exploded over the last few years with a wide array of finely crafted flavours and cocoa percentages being created to make at home or enjoy in cafés nationwide, from brands such as Hotel Chocolat, Knoops and Lindt.
On which note, I am excited to see that Hotel Chocolat is leaning into that autumnal feeling with the launch of two brand new drinking chocolates: Walnut and Roasted Almond. Both launched at the beginning of this week, retailing at £14.95 each. They join the brand’s core drinking chocolate range as part of its Exquisitely Nutty Love Match collection, with the likes of favourites such as Hazelnut Praline and Peanut Butter.
The walnut drinking chocolate is a darker, more grown-up option. It combines the earthy, slightly savoury character of walnut with Hotel Chocolat’s signature 70% dark chocolate, creating a rich drink with a lingering caramelised nutty flavour. This one sounds perfect for anyone who finds traditional hot chocolate a little too sweet. It should have plenty of depth and would be delicious made with oat milk, then finished with a pinch of sea salt or a few crushed walnuts. It’s also vegan, so more people can enjoy this comforting flavour.
Roasted Almond takes a softer, creamier approach. Real roasted almond flavour is paired with layers of 36% white chocolate and 40% milk chocolate, resulting in what sounds like a mellow, comforting drink. This is the one I’d reach for after a long day: sweet, creamy and reminiscent of toasted marzipan without being quite so intense. You could top it with whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon or even a little almond brittle for extra crunch.
The new nutty chocolates join two earlier seasonal releases in limited-edition flavours of Spicy Maple and Pumpkin Spice. Both bring a warming twist to the classic chocolate drink, with the new maple option offering a gentle ‘swicy’ note from habanero chilli and the returning pumpkin spice flavour tapping into the ever-growing autumn trend with warming notes of cinnamon, ginger and pumpkin.
You can prepare the range at home using a Velvetiser®, steam wand or on the hob. I personally like to recreate the café experience by adding mini marshmallows and a drizzle of sauce. I’d also be tempted to use the chocolate flakes in baking, stirred into brownie batter or sprinkled over porridge. You can also enjoy the spicy maple and pumpkin spice drinks at Hotel Chocolat cafés across the country.
Warm up with one of our indulgent homemade hot chocolate recipes and discover plenty more autumn drinks and cocktails.
