In a head-to-head taste test of supermarket hot chocolates against Knoops' bestselling flakes, Sainsbury's Taste the Difference drinking chocolate came out on top with a perfect 5/5 score.
Deputy Editor Millie Bull compared drinking chocolates from Sainsbury's, Cadbury, Galaxy, and Aldi, alongside Knoops' 34% and 43% milk chocolate flakes, to find the best option for a chilly day.
The contenders and how they were tested
Most 'instant' hot chocolates were skipped in favour of drinking chocolates made with hot milk. The exceptions were Aldi's Dairyfine, as there was no alternative in the local store, and Clipper's Fairtrade Instant Hot Chocolate, which was already on hand.
Each hot chocolate was prepared the same way: using a Dualit hot chocolate maker and milk frother, with 225ml of semi-skimmed milk per serving. The price per serving does not include the cost of the milk.
Top scorers and standout flavours
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference drinking chocolate, £4.25 for 300g, impressed with just two ingredients - sugar and 41% cocoa powder. It delivered a rich cocoa flavour, sweet without being cloying, and blended smoothly with no grittiness.
Knoops 34% and 43% milk chocolate flakes, £13.50 for 250g, were new to the tester and genuinely impressed. The 43% version uses Criollo beans and won a 2021 Great Taste Award. Both varieties were sweet but not cloying, with the 34% offering caramel notes and the 43% a richer chocolate flavour accented by vanilla.
Sainsbury's standard Drinking Chocolate, £3.50 for 300g, scored 4/5 with a deep cocoa flavour and a pleasant hint of saltiness, though its texture left a slightly sandy feel. Clipper's Fairtrade Instant Hot Chocolate, £5 for 350g, held up surprisingly well with a smooth texture and rich purply-brown colour, but was pricey for an instant option.
Lower-ranked options and final verdict
Cadbury Original Drinking Hot Chocolate, £4.55 for 500g, tasted like classic Cadbury chocolate but was a bit too sweet, scoring 3/5. Galaxy Drinking Chocolate, £4.50 for 450g, was extremely sweet and too sickly for regular drinking, scoring 2/5. Aldi Dairyfine Instant Hot Chocolate Drink, £1.69 for 400g, was the cheapest but tasted artificial and overly sugary, scoring 1/5.
Sainsbury's Taste the Difference was the overall favourite for those wanting a rich, dark chocolate with minimal ingredients. Knoops is best for connoisseurs or those who prefer flakes over powder, while Sainsbury's standard Drinking Chocolate is a solid, affordable pick with good cocoa flavour.
