Indulgent, comforting and undeniably decadent, hot chocolate has long been cherished as more than just a beverage. It’s a relaxing treat to look forward to after a hectic day and will always hit the spot when you’re craving a little luxury.
Which Brands Sell Vegan Hot Chocolate?
Many years ago, most powdered hot chocolates contained dairy milk, deeming them unsuitable for vegans. However, with the surge in demand for plant-based alternatives over the last decade, some well-known brands have added vegan hot chocolate to their product range. Also, several new dairy-free contenders have entered the arena.
Before you discover the top vegan hot chocolate drinks available in 2024, check out how to make it yourself at home from your favourite chocolate bar!
How to Make Vegan Hot Chocolate With a Chocolate Bar
Using a chocolate bar to make hot chocolate is an easy way to enjoy the flavour you love in a mouth-watering drink.
The best bars for making hot chocolate are those with a high cacao count. As a good rule, anything over 40% is a good choice.
To make yours, all you need is a chocolate bar and your choice of plant-based milk. Oat milk is likely the best for a thick and creamy drink. Also, you can add a spoonful of dairy-free double cream for extra luxury, but this isn’t essential.
Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ready to get started? Follow these steps!
- Gather your ingredients:
- 80g of vegan chocolate
- 300ml of plant-based milk (oat is the perfect choice)
- Break the chocolate into small pieces
- Add plant milk to a small pan and heat gently
- Add the chocolate pieces and continue to heat, stirring frequently
- After a few minutes, remove from the heat and pour into a cup
- Top up with additional milk if desired and enjoy!
How to Make Your Hot Chocolate Cheeky
For an extra special treat, get yourself a Cheeky Vegan chocolate bar and use it in the recipe. Cheeky Vegan is ideal for making hot chocolate at home because it’s high in cacao and has a smooth hazelnut flavour.
As well as being Swiss-made, organic and Fairtrade, Cheeky Vegan contains crunchy hazelnut nuggets, which add extra taste and texture to your drink.
Although making hot chocolate from scratch is deliciously satisfying, ready-to-drink products are great for ease and convenience. So, if that’s your thing, read on because we’ve got you covered.
10 Ready-to-drink Vegan Hot Chocolates
Here are ten of the best vegan hot chocolate drinks — all of which you can easily buy online or at a local store.
You’ll notice that most of these products use chocolate powder, but some are made from chocolate flakes. So, what’s the difference?
Chocolate powder is typically made from cocoa powder, sugar and sometimes powdered milk. It's designed to dissolve quickly in hot liquid, resulting in a smooth and consistent drink. Chocolate flakes, on the other hand, are made from finely shaved or grated chocolate. These flakes usually contain cocoa solids and cocoa butter, creating a richer and more intense chocolate flavour.
Please note: Some of the products on our list are made in factories that also handle cow’s milk and other allergens, so always check the label for full information.
In no particular order, here they are!
- Galaxy
Galaxy has been making dairy chocolate since the 1960s but it wasn’t until 2019 that vegan chocolate bars were added to the range. After this successful launch, Galaxy released vegan hot chocolate and it quickly became a fan favourite.
Approved by The Vegan Society and free from palm oil, this chocolate drink can be made instantly with hot water, or mixed with heated milk for a more indulgent taste.
- OMV!
OMV! - Oh My Vegan - is a relatively new budget-friendly selection from UK retail giant, Asda. The OMV! range features plant-based meats, pizzas, ice creams and, of course, hot chocolate.
This salted caramel flavour hot chocolate makes for a sweet and creamy drink. And, just like Galaxy, it can be made instantly with hot water or mixed with heated milk.
- Divine
Chocolate maker Divine is co-owned by cocoa farmers and always uses natural palm-oil-free ingredients, making it a wonderful choice for ethical consumers.
The hot chocolate range includes three divine flavours - Winter Warming Spiced, Salted Caramel and Smooth. All three are best enjoyed with hot milk.
- Lindt
Lindt has always been synonymous with luxury and its hot chocolate drink does not disappoint. Crafted with high-quality cocoa beans and additional premium ingredients, this is the perfect choice for a rich and velvety chocolate experience.
This ‘accidentally vegan’ product has been available for several years, making it a well-established favourite among hot chocolate lovers
Lindt’s chocolate powder can be mixed with hot milk but is also delicious when made cold over ice.
- Costa
Heading to your nearest Costa for a cup of hot chocolate is a much-loved treat for many, but you can also buy the powdered drink to enjoy at home anytime.
Costa’s hot chocolate is produced with cocoa beans certified by The Rainforest Alliance, an organisation dedicated to protecting the natural world.
Simply mix with heated milk and enjoy the delicious richness of this creamy chocolate drink.
- Hotel Chocolat
British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat is renowned for its high-quality products throughout Europe and beyond.
Hotel Chocolat is one of the few chocolatiers with a bean-to-bar philosophy, growing its cocoa beans at plantations in the Caribbean. This helps ensure the quality of the beans and the transparency of the supply chain.
Vegan hot chocolate lovers are spoilt for choice at Hotel Chocolat, with several dairy-free options to choose from, which are available as individual sachets and larger pouches. Hotel Chocolat drinks should be made with hot milk.
- Chococo
Chococo has an expansive range of hot chocolate, most of which are vegan.
This independent award-winning brand was born in the small UK town of Dorset, but now has multiple stores across the south coast.
Chococo hot chocolate is sold as chocolate flakes instead of the more conventional powder. To turn these flakes into a drink, mix with a small amount of warm milk in a pan, then whisk with additional milk to create the desired consistency.
- The Cosy Chocolate Company
The Cosy Chocolate Company is a family-owned business serious about crafting delicious drinking chocolate and bars.
Similarly to Chococo, The Cosy Chocolate Company uses flakes that can be mixed with hot milk.
The drinking chocolate range currently features nine flavours, including Pumpkin Spice, White Vanilla and Gingerbread. All products are vegan, gluten-free and made with recipes that are low in sugar and high in cocoa.
- Sweet Freedom
Sweet Freedom makes for an amazing hot chocolate drink and it’s the easiest option on our list. All you have to do is squeeze the desired amount of chocolate syrup into a cup of warm milk, stir and you’re good to go.
Sweet Freedom is a 100% vegan brand and none of its products contain any of the major allergens, so this is truly a sweet treat that all have the freedom to enjoy.
- Naturya
Naturya’s Superfood Organic Hot Chocolate blends rich cocoa with nutrient-dense maca powder, so it’s a treat for your taste buds with a healthy kick.
Simply stir the powder into a cup of hot milk for a tasty chocolatey drink that’s also high in fibre.
Naturya uses only the highest quality, plant-based ingredients to craft health-conscious products, so you can nourish your body with nature while you indulge.
Despite the big brands jumping on the vegan hot chocolate bandwagon, independent businesses produce some of the best dairy-free hot chocolate drinks we could find. So, make sure to also check your local grocery store or café.