This Genius Tool Makes the Best Hot Chocolate I've Ever Had

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It reminds me of being a kid again.

Hotel Chocolat

Just after a snowfall, I used to gear up in the puffiest coat I owned, fit each leg into my insulated pants, pop on my cozy mittens, and top it all off with a beanie and some snow boots. I’d haul my two-seater sled overhead, crunching through the snow to my neighbors hill across the street. After hours of climbing up and rocketing down, I’d come back inside with frozen, snow-wrapped hair, beet-red cheeks, and a chill that’d only go away with a warming cup of hot chocolate.

From the very first sip all the way down to the last I felt the magic of the season wrapped up in a single mug. And while that feeling can be difficult to achieve as an adult, every so often a moment comes around that captures it. And I’ve found these moments are especially prominent ever since I started using this hot chocolate maker.

Hotel Chocolat

The Velvetiser is a hot chocolate maker from the British chocolate company Hotel Chocolat. It was designed to make hot chocolate the European way, swirling together chocolate morsels and milk until it's hot and smooth instead of just adding a packet of cocoa mix to warm water or milk. Though it’s been around in the United Kingdom, it only just launched in the United States a few months ago, which is why the brand sent me a sample to try out. And ever since it landed on my doorstep, I haven’t been able to stop using it.

Food & Wine / Kristin Montemarano

Though it only has an 8 ounce capacity, it seemingly holds all of the cheer I’ve been searching for. While I used to drink powdered hot cocoa as a child, the only way I’ll drink hot chocolate now is if it’s blended together with milk and melted chunks, and this machine makes it incredibly easy to achieve this.

It comes with a sleek pot-like base, with a long, sturdy handle. Inside the base is a magnetized insert that’s fitted with a frothing whisk, so you can get the velvety texture hot chocolate really needs. You pop the pot onto its powered base like an electric kettle, fill it up to the marked line with milk, top with chocolate flakes, then cover and press its button. Et voila — you have drinkable chocolate in two and a half minutes that’s far better tasting than the packets.

Food & Wine / Kristin Montemarano

Simply put, this tool makes the perfect cup of hot chocolate. It’s hot, but still drinkable straight away. The texture is smooth and silky — you don’t get any grain like you’d sometimes find with powders. I can taste the chocolate without it being overwhelming, too. I would say it’s a cross between French drinking chocolate and American hot cocoa. You get the velvety texture that is necessary with a pure chocolate taste, but it’s not as rich or dense as drinking chocolate. For me, this is exactly what I'm looking for.

This machine also just makes life easier if you’re someone who prefers hot chocolate this way. I’d previously used a pot and a blender to make my hot chocolate, but having the ability to pop everything right into the machine not only makes the process faster, but it also means I have way less to clean up. Plus, the inside coating is nonstick so everything wipes away with ease.

Food & Wine / Kristin Montemarano

The brand sells hot chocolate flakes to go with it, and they sent me some to try as well. They come in flavors like salted caramel, dark 70%, orange, mint, and heaps more. I love the ease and convenience of the flake packets, since you just open the packet up and it’s ready to pour in. My favorite was the mint one, which frothed up beautifully, despite my using non-dairy almond milk (you can use any milk you want), and had the best balance of salt, chocolate, and peppermint notes. You can buy everything in a starter set, including the brand's special mugs, too.

Though the brand has everything you’d need, it’s worth noting that the process is highly customizable. I tested it with chopped up chocolate I already had, and it worked beautifully. The packets are 35 grams each (a scant ⅓ cup), so I recommend weighing or measuring it out for the best results. They have to be chopped to a very fine, dust-like consistency to melt in. If you prefer the texture of drinking chocolate, I recommend using a richer milk, like oat milk or adding cream, and then using two packets worth of chocolate. The results were incredibly decadent when I did this.

Food & Wine / Kristin Montemarano

It’s not an inexpensive machine at $150, but for me, it’s genuinely worth it. I really enjoy the comfort and little hint of magic hot chocolate brings on a slow Sunday afternoon or after a busy workday. It comes in a variety of colors, so you can choose exactly what suits you best. To me, it makes for the perfect gift, too. Shop it now on Hotel Chocolat’s website.

Hotel Chocolat

At the time of publishing, the price was $150.