We tested 7 hot chocolate mixes, and this supermarket classic won us over
The nostalgic pick has 'just the right amount of sweetness,' proclaimed one taster — and it's super affordable.
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The best hot cocoa is like a hug in a mug, and the perfect thing to sip on a chilly fall or winter day. Sure, you could
melt down chocolate bars
into milk, but if you're looking for a quick fix, instant hot chocolate delivers that same comforting sweetness with a lot less fuss. I grew up on old-fashioned Swiss Miss with mini marshmallows, and while it remains my go-to, the hot chocolate options at the grocery store have grown exponentially. Starbucks sells a mix, as does Trader Joe's and Target's house brand, Good & Gather. With so much variety out there, we were curious: Do the classics still hold up? It turns out they do, but they've got some steep competition!
To find the best hot chocolate mixes, we bought seven of the most popular options at the supermarket. Then we gathered a group of Yahoo editors, including a professionally trained chef and a bunch of hot chocolate aficionados. We labeled the samples with only letters to prevent brand loyalty from influencing the results. I have to be honest with you: The results of our totally scientific study (OK, it wasn't that strict, but we did take our job seriously!) surprised us. Read on to discover why our top pick won out, and keep scrolling for our favorite mugs and other hot cocoa must-haves.
In this story
Best hot chocolate mix of 2026
This tried-and-true option came out on top in our testing, with testers calling it “creamy and milky, but not too decadent” and “the platonic ideal of hot chocolate.” A couple noted a subtle salty note that helps balance the sweetness, though it’s worth knowing the mix contains corn syrup and sucralose.
At under $9 for a can that makes 39 servings, it’s also one of the most affordable picks we tested.
- Creamy and milky
- Nostalgic, traditional flavor
- Inexpensive
- Classic hot-chocolate aroma
- Made with corn syrup and sucralose
- May be too sweet for some
How we tested hot chocolate mixes
We gathered a group of self-professed hot cocoa lovers, including a professionally trained chef and a former food magazine editor (me). We made each mix following the instructions on the box and poured the resulting drink into cups labeled only with a letter, to keep things anonymous.
Not only did each hot chocolate mix have a distinct flavor and aroma, but they all looked different.
Then came the fun part! Each tester sipped to their heart's content and filled out a rubric rating each drink on a scale of 1 to 5 for flavor (sweet or bitter?), richness (creamy or watery?), texture (gritty or silky?), aroma and overall enjoyment. We also asked the testers to jot down any thoughts they had about the samples.
Other hot chocolate mixes we tested
Swiss Miss Classics Milk Chocolate :We generally liked this classic mix, which is on the sweeter side and has a silky texture. It didn't score quite as well as Nestle when it came to richness, though. Several testers said it was watery. Interestingly, one of our testers identified this as Swiss Miss without ever seeing the box.
Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa Mix :Multiple testers noted that the hot chocolate was bitter, and one described the aftertaste as "oily and tart." When we made this, we found whole milk helped balance the flavor — and don't skimp on the marshmallows!
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix :This is another option that must be made with milk. Sadly, it didn't fare as well as Ghirardelli's brownie mix, which a whopping seven baking pros told us was the best brownie mix out there.
Most of the competitors, lined up and ready.
Nestle Abuelita :This Mexican-style hot chocolate with notes of cinnamon was our second-favorite pick, earning high marks for its silky texture and slightly spicy aroma. "Tastes like you're chewing cinnamon gum and drinking hot chocolate," noted one tester. (We didn't think that was a bad thing!)
Good & Gather Double Hot Chocolate Mix :Target's house brand disappointed us with its bitterness. Don't ignore the directions to make this mix with milk (not water), as it definitely needs dairy!
Trader Joe's Organic Hot Cocoa Mix :"Definitely tastes elevated [and] decadent," wrote one tester; another said this mix was "rich." Though the group thought it was just the right amount of sweet, some testers found the texture a bit gritty and thin.
Hot chocolate mix FAQs
How do you make boxed hot chocolate taste better?
Layer in additional flavors! Pile on marshmallows or whipped cream for added sweetness, stir in a candy cane for a minty note, add a pump of salted caramel syrup for a salty-sweet hit or sprinkle in some cinnamon or cayenne for a kick. If your instant hot chocolate tastes too thin, stir in some milk or cream for richness.
Is hot cocoa mix the same as hot chocolate mix?
Technically, no, though most people use the terms interchangeably (as we do in this story). Hot cocoa is usually made from cocoa powder, sugar and milk — all the mixes we tried are hot cocoa. Hot chocolate is actual solid chocolate that's been melted in water, cream or milk.
Editor-approved mugs
Amp up the indulgence with some fancy mugs. This set comes with everything you need to enjoy a hot drink (and look good doing it): gold-tone stainless steel spoons and bamboo coasters.
The words on this mug couldn't be truer — for any day. It's a sweet gift for your favorite hot chocolate fan, and the generous handle ensures a secure grip.
Need a little color in your life? These Nordic-inspired stoneware mugs come in a soft sage green that’s perfect for cozy winter evenings curled up with a hot chocolate. At 12 ounces, they hold just the right amount, and thick stoneware retains heat longer than thin porcelain, so your cocoa stays warm while you’re still savoring it.
When it comes to gifting, the name of the game is personalization. The cute gold monogram on this 15-ounce mug makes it feel that much more special.
If you're someone who sips rather than slurps, you may want an insulated mug. This stainless steel 12-ounce beauty from the makers of everyone's favorite tumbler looks old-school in the coolest way.
More hot chocolate must-haves
Lots of people have a coffee bar at home, so why not a hot chocolate bar? Set aside a bit of counter space for some mugs and this five-section serving tray. Dump cocoa powder in one compartment and marshmallows, cinnamon sticks and another topper of your choice in the others.
Lukewarm hot cocoa? No thanks. For those of us who like to keep things toasty, this mug warmer is a (pardon the pun) hot commodity. Its slim design fits under most mugs, and it has four temperature settings.
This fun 32-ounce frother takes your hot cocoa up a notch. Just add your favorite mix plus milk, and let the machine do its thing. More than 1,300 Amazon shoppers gave it a five-star review.
These peppermint stirrers do double duty: as they melt, they flavor your drink. This 12-pack is one of the better options out there, and the individually wrapped spoons keep everything fresh until you’re ready to use them.
Update, Nov. 2, 2026: We checked pricing and availability for all products and swapped out several accessories for updated picks. Our No. 1 pick for best hot chocolate mix remains unchanged.
