The Hot Chocolate Brand We'll Never Buy Again

Hot chocolate is a festive sweet treat that we like to reach for during the holidays, but some of us like to drink it all year long. According to Statista, 14% of Americans enjoy an average of two or three cups per day. That percentage may not hold a candle to coffee, but it's still a lot of hot chocolate. When it comes to instant mixes, though, not all will meet your expectations, which is what Daily Meal found during a taste test.

Daily Meal's Monika Sudakov ranked more than a dozen hot chocolate brands and was rather disappointed with That's Smart! as soon as she tore open one of the packages and smelled an off-putting, synthetic scent. Then, she noted how let down she was by the watery, thin texture and muted flavor after she mixed it with hot water. She compared it to "drinking sugar water with a dusting of cocoa thrown in for good measure."

Sudakov's experience can be explained by the package ingredients, which include emulsifiers, extra sweeteners, flavorings, and preservatives. While many instant hot chocolate powders contain additives and preservatives, That's Smart! tastes too artificial and not chocolatey enough.

Now that you know to avoid the That's Smart! brand, you have the option to choose a better brand of instant hot chocolate or make it yourself. When it comes to the best brands, Nestlé's Abuelita Mexican Style Instant Hot Chocolate Mix is distinct from others because it contains cinnamon and has a deep chocolatey flavor. Another great option is Starbucks Double Chocolate, which has few ingredients and notes of rich dark chocolate, making it worth the extra expense.

On the other hand, making the ultimate hot chocolate is the best way to get the flavor and richness that you want out of your cup because you can customize the recipe to your liking. You can start off simple by using chocolate chips or bars instead of cocoa powder. Also, adding a pinch of salt to your chocolate drink will tone down the bitterness of the cocoa while accenting whatever sweetener you choose. Similarly, miso is an unexpected ingredient that makes hot chocolate richer when it's combined with coconut cream.

If the texture of your drink turns out thinner than you prefer, cornstarch is the key ingredient for making thick and creamy hot chocolate. It will absorb some of the extra liquid and expand when it's heated, making your beverage thicker. And, of course, you can add marshmallow, cinnamon, and peppermint to your heart's content.