If an evening hot chocolate is more of a regular habit than a festive treat, powdered hot chocolate is typically cheaper and simpler to whip up. If you're looking for a little bit of luxury, you don't necessarily need to reach for the priciest hot-chocolate brand. Our taste test revealed two clear winners – and they weren't the most expensive or well-known options. There were other issues, too – as well as an underwhelming appearance and aroma, the majority of the panel found this drink wasn't sweet or creamy enough for their taste. Best Value Christmas Food - see which mince pies, sparkling wines and more came top for taste and value in our 2022 tests

The panelists rated the taste, mouthfeel, aroma and appearance of each product, and told us what they liked and disliked about each one. We ran two hot-chocolate tests: one on hot chocolates made of solid chocolate flakes, such as Hotel Chocolat, Charbonnel & Walker and Cupsmith; and another of premium hot-chocolate powders, including brands such as Twinings and Lindt, as well as supermarket rivals. If you can’t get enough of a Chocolate Orange, this one is for you! Carve 2 or 3 strips of orange rind (the skin) and let them steep in your drink for a while before drinking. That citrus flavour is a delight. Heat, but don't boil, your milk. Even if you're using hot water to melt the chocolate nibs or dissolve your chocolate powder, topping up with fridge-cold milk isn't a great idea if you want a creamy texture. Just keep a close eye on your stove or microwave as you don't want it to boil over. Tips for living well - get the latest taste tests, food and health advice and insights straight to your inbox with our free monthly food & health newsletter.Asda Extra Special Fairtrade Indulgent Drinking Chocolate – 63%. Texture, specifically creaminess, was again the major issue for our panel. Though some tasters said they would prefer a sweeter and more chocolatey flavour, it's not bad if you're after the very cheapest. 92p per 100g. Available from Asda .

So, it’s up to you; which of these options is the perfect hot chocolate? Are you a traditionalist or do you like to experiment in the hot choc department? The products were tested in September 2022 by a large panel of consumers who regularly buy and consume hot chocolate. The make-up of the panel broadly represents the demographic profile of adults in the UK. If you’re avoiding moo-milk, our hot chocolates can be made with dairy alternatives for a dairy-free delight. If you’re dodging the dairy, we recommend coconut milk for a tropical spin on your evening indulgence.

Coffee

Cupsmith's hot chocolate was the lowest scorer in our taste test. Despite having one of the highest cocoa solid percentages (70%) of the solid products in our test, eight in 10 of our tasters found the chocolate flavour too weak.