Fall season has always been my absolute favorite.
One of these is the classichot chocolate.
As a chocolate fanatic, I set out to see whichstore-bought hot chocolate mixreigns supreme.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
I purchased 10 different options and rounded up three enthusiastic friends.
For this one, I tried the mix with both hot water and milk.
That being said, cocoa is the fifth ingredient listed on the label.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
I purchased this eight packet-box for $1.89the cheapest hot chocolate product in this taste test.
There was very little cocoa sediment still swirling around by the time I took my first sip.
Plus, this hot chocolate had an off-putting saltiness that the other brands lacked.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
I bought this 10-envelope box for $3.99.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.
This drink was overwhelmingly sweet, causing me to want to dilute it with water.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
On top of that, one of my friends described the flavor as “artificial.”
Despite the package’s display, cinnamon isn’t even mentioned among the lengthy list of ingredients.
I suppose the flavor of this spice falls under “natural and artificial flavors.”
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
I picked up an eight-packet box at Target for $2.69.
The taste:This drink had the most distinctive flavor profile compared to the other ones.
A 10-packet box of theorganic milk chocolate-flavored hot cocoamix cost me $4.99.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
Like several of the drinks, the top was blanketed in a thin layer of foam.
The taste:One word: sugary.
This applied to the drink when made with both water and milk.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
Contrary to my prediction, I wasn’t impressed by this Whole Foods item.
The chocolate flavor wasn’t particularly noteworthy, tasting almost like sugary water with a hint of cocoa.
The consistency was fairly thin and watery, as well.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
Despite its name, the beloved drink mix isn’t actually made in Switzerland.
It’sblended in Menomonie, Wis.
I, however, was transported back to my childhood.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
It was considerably sweet, but it had a pleasant foaminess that the other cups lacked.
I opted for an eight-count box of theDouble Chocolate hot cocoa mixfor $5.79.
Interestingly enough, the final product had a purplish tint that none of the other ones had.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
However, for me, this didn’t take away from the drink’s delectability.
I snagged a 10-count box of theclassic hot cocoamix for $8.69.
The look:The milk and hot cocoa powderwhich was speckled with sugar crystalsblended together within a few seconds.
Brianna Ruback / Eat This, Not That!
This produced a cozy-looking, considerably dark brown beverage once the bubbles settled.
Once combined with the milk, it blended fairly quickly to produce a paler brown-colored hot chocolate beverage.
“That’s how I thought Swiss Miss tasted,” one of my friends declared.
The chocolate company carries multiple hot cocoa mix flavors, including peppermint, mocha, and double chocolate.
I purchased a package ofDouble Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix, which yields 10-plus servings, for $4.99.
The look:This one had a similar shade to the Starbucks variety.
The taste:Out of all the hot chocolate drinks, this one delivered one of the richest consistencies.
Plus, it simply tasted high-quality, which one friend attributed to its “true cocoa flavor.”
Everyone was in agreement about this hot chocolate’s deliciousness, with one crowning it as the winner.
Still, there was one more variety that three of us enjoyed the most.
However, this wasn’t a drawback, as the thicker consistency excited me for a richer beverage.
The drink was rich and chocolatey without being overly sweet, presenting a well-balanced flavor that resembled dark chocolate.
“It’s like drinking a chocolate bar,” one friend exclaimed.
“This is definitely the best,” another one concluded.
If you’re looking for decadence, this mix does more than satisfy.
