I Asked 6 Chefs To Name the Best Hot Cocoa Mix—They All Said the Same Thing

There’s something undeniably comforting about a steaming cup of hot chocolate. It’s the kind of drink that warms you from the inside out, perfect for sipping on snowy afternoons, cozy evenings by the fire, or just as a midweek treat on a chilly winter day.

While there’s certainly a time and place for making hot cocoa from scratch, sometimes you need a simpler solution—a reliable, delicious store-bought mix that can be whipped up in minutes. It’s ideal for hosting holiday guests, as you can easily serve a crowd without the hassle of chopping chocolate and warming milk. It’s also a lifesaver for busy families, providing a quick and satisfying drink that everyone can enjoy. Plus, a high-quality mix lets you enjoy a café-style experience in the comfort of your home without having to brave the cold or long coffee shop lines.

With so many hot cocoa options available, how do you know which one is worth buying? To find out, I asked a group of food professionals—all of whom have kids or nieces and nephews—to share a top pick that the whole family enjoys.

The Food Pros and Chefs I Asked

• Jessica Formicola: Recipe developer, author of Beef It Up!, and food judge on Plate It! Baltimore
• Gen La Rocca: Chef and recipe developer behind Two Cloves Kitchen
• Brian and Erin Mooney: Executive chef and co-owners of Tre Luna Bar & Kitchen in Hoover, Alabama
• Mary Payne Moran: Former restaurant chef, cooking instructor, and founder of Hail Mary Food of Grace
• Tanya Ngangan: Pastry chef at Olivier Cheng Catering & Events

The Best Store-Bought Hot Cocoa Mix, According To Food Pros

When it comes to the best store-bought hot cocoa, our food pros were unanimous in their choice: Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mix. Praised for its rich chocolate flavor and creamy texture, this mix stood out as a favorite for good reason. Its well-balanced sweetness and high-quality ingredients create a drink that feels indulgent, making it a go-to for chefs and kids alike.

The Mooneys shared how Ghirardelli’s hot cocoa has become part of their family traditions. “Our family loves to go to Disney and when we are there, we always visit the Ghirardelli Soda Fountain & Chocolate Shop. Our kids love to get the hot chocolate,” they say. “When we are all home for the holidays together, we often buy the Ghirardelli Hot Chocolate Mix to make at home. It brings back memories of us having family time and sipping hot chocolate at Disney.”

For Formicola, Ghirardelli is a favorite because its balanced flavor appeals to the palates of adults and kids. "I like it because it is rich and not too sweet, so when I add the marshmallows, it doesn’t just taste like sugar water,” she says.

La Rocca, who calls her niece her favorite sous chef, agrees that Ghirardelli’s mix brings a touch of luxury. “It’s rich and chocolatey without being overly sweet, making it feel more like a café-quality drink than a typical store-bought mix.”

Moran, a mom of two, echoes the sentiment, pointing to the superior ingredient list as a standout feature. “Other store-bought hot chocolates list cocoa as their third ingredient, following sugar and corn syrup. They have additives which deplete the cocoa flavor, whereas Ghirardelli lists cocoa second.”

When it comes to shopping for a good store-bought hot cocoa mix, all of our food pros advise looking at the ingredient list carefully. “I typically recommend that it contain both cocoa powder and chocolate solids or chips. This ensures that you get a good chocolate taste, while also not having too much bitterness,” says Ngangan, who also opts for Ghiradelli when serving hot cocoa to her three nieces and nephews. “The ingredients dissolve and meld so nicely, and it doesn't have that chalky, milk powder mouth feel like the other store-bought hot cocoa mixes.”

How To Level Up Store-Bought Hot Cocoa Mix

Whether it’s nostalgia, flavor balance, or a focus on quality ingredients, Ghirardelli Hot Cocoa Mix consistently wins over food professionals. To make your cup of hot chocolate even more decadent, try some of these chef-approved additions.

• Use milk instead of water. “I make ours with almond milk or whole milk to give it more body and richness,” says Formicola. 
• Give it a minty twist. “I love adding a splash of peppermint or vanilla extract, a dollop of whipped cream, and a sprinkle of crushed candy canes or peppermint hard candies,” says La Rocca. “You can pulse the candy canes in a food processor to achieve your desired consistency.” Formicola’s kids also like to stir theirs with candy canes.
• Make it boozy. For an adults-only drink, add a splash of Grand Marnier or chocolate liqueur, recommends Moran.
• Spice it up. “The addition of cinnamon and chili powder will give it a little kick into Mexican hot chocolate territory,” says Ngangan “If that sounds too adventurous, however, adding a little sprinkle of sea salt will bring out the flavors of your hot cocoa and make it slightly more complex, while keeping it simple and traditional.”

_{To learn more about our approach to product recommendations, see HERE.}