At its core, hot chocolate consists of a harmonious blend of cocoa powder, sweetener, and a liquid base. Cocoa powder serves as the star ingredient, contributing the rich, chocolaty flavor that we all crave. Derived from the roasted and ground cacao beans, cocoa powder brings a delightful depth of taste to hot chocolate. Combined with the right amount of sweetener, such as sugar or a plant-based alternative, it creates the perfect balance of sweetness and cocoa intensity. Only in the past decade or so have we seen incredible strides forward by established brands to meet the demands of changing dietary preferences. Hot off the presses in mid-2021, industry giant Hershey’s launched a commercially available oat milk chocolate bar, free of all animal products. Hot on their heels across the pond, beloved British staple Cadbury has announced that 100% plant-based bars will be hitting store shelves soon. Identifying non-vegan components is essential for those embracing a vegan lifestyle for various reasons. Firstly, vegans choose to avoid animal-derived ingredients due to ethical considerations. They aim to minimize the harm inflicted on animals and promote a more compassionate and sustainable way of living. By being mindful of the ingredients in hot chocolate, vegans can ensure that they are not inadvertently supporting the exploitation or mistreatment of animals. Soy Milk: Soy milk offers a smooth and creamy texture, providing a classic base for your hot chocolate. It pairs well with the rich cocoa flavors, creating a harmonious balance.

This plant-based hot chocolate is rich, creamy, easy to make, and ready in 5 minutes. Enjoy a healthy twist on the classic recipe, made with dairy-free milk and naturally sweetened with maple syrup. It’s better than any non-vegan hot chocolate I ever had. Yep I said it.It’s that good, and it only has four ingredients. Okay, five if you add vegan whipped cream on top (and you should definitely add vegan whipped cream on top!) Coconut sugar also works great as the sweetener. I used regular brown sugar, but you can really use whatever sweetener you like or even not use anything if you think it’s sweet enough.

9. Options Vegan Belgian Hot Chocolate Drink

When making a vegan hot chocolate, you don’t have to compromise on all the extra bits that make it extra special – there’s a vegan version of almost everything! Use helpful phrases: Utilize phrases such as “I’d like a hot chocolate made with [vegan milk choice] and without whipped cream.” This provides the necessary information to the barista. Pascha Chocolate (organic Peruvian chocolate grown, harvested and crafted in Peru with socially certified farmers.) You can find our which vegan chocolates are slavery-free using the Food Empowerment Project chocolate list. They have done (and continue to do) extensive research to determine which vegan chocolate brands are truly ethical. Their online chocolate directory makes it easy for consumers like you and me to put our dollars toward companies with kind, ethical, and worker-friendly practices. Fairtrade Chocolate

I considered two tablespoons of sugar to be perfect, one tablespoon per serve, but I like the sweet stuff, so that’s why it says ‘to taste’ in the recipe. Unlike many powered hot chocolate drinks, Options is designed to be used with hot water but is still every bit as satisfying chocolatey.Be clear and concise: Clearly communicate your customization requests. For example, if you prefer a specific non-dairy milk like almond milk or oat milk, state it clearly. If you’re looking for a lighter cocoa drink that can be made without milk, try Options’ Vegan Belgian Hot Chocolate Drink. High-street chocolatiers Hotel Chocolat have become more vegan-friendly in recent years, and now have a full range of dairy-free hot chocolates. Made from dark chocolate, they are truly indulgent and available in several naughty flavours. There’s definitely room on the dessert menu for more sweet options, and these brands should be applauded for their efforts to be more inclusive and offer vegan treats alongside pre-existing options with less suitable ingredients. These are the brands that have something for everyone:

What sets hot chocolate apart, making it either vegan-friendly or non-vegan, lies within its carefully chosen ingredients. To fully understand the vegan status of hot chocolate, it’s essential to delve into the typical components that go into crafting this beloved beverage. Let’s explore the key ingredients that make up a delicious cup of hot chocolate, shed light on non-vegan elements commonly found in traditional recipes, and uncover why it’s crucial to identify and distinguish non-vegan components. Most mainstream white chocolate options do involve dairy, but vegan white chocolate brands are coming to life and we share several below! White chocolate relies primarily on milk solids for its creamy consistency. But as we know, milk can come from plants as well as from cows!When you want to indulge without any worries, invest in the highest quality brands that produce only vegan products and can ensure purity throughout. Every single option in the lineup for these brands is free of animal products and many other common allergens. Let’s hear it for the makers of the best vegan chocolate in the world! Milk or milk-based products: Some hot chocolate variations may contain milk or milk derivatives. If you have a lactose intolerance or follow a strict vegan diet, it’s important to choose alternatives that are free from dairy products. You can even find chocolate-covered vegan protein bars and chocolate protein powder to help crush your plant-powered protein needs. Vegan Chocolate Chips

While you would imagine that all hot chocolate powders would be vegan, some contain pesky ingredients such as milk powder, whey and casein. What does the future of vegan chocolate hold? It’s hard to say for sure, but at this rate, it seems safe to say that it’ll be sweet! Child Labor & Slavery in the Chocolate Trade The first major brand of vegan chocolate chips in the U.S. was Enjoy Life, but today there are dozens of options for dairy-free chocolate chips! Here are a few brands that have vegan options.

Who doesn’t love a comforting hot chocolate in the winter (or any time of year to be honest!). It’s the ultimate sweet treat and feels synonymous with cosiness and pure joy.