Ghirardelli and Starbucks (which was a whopping $8.49) were my two splurge candidates, and Ghirardelli wins it. Both of these brands offer a stark contrast to the other five in that they are far less sweet. That’s because there is very little added sugar to the powders. However, Ghirardelli edges out a win here. It makes sense that the chocolate company would be good at making hot cocoa!

What I loved: 

Strong chocolate flavor – This is the most chocolate-forward of the entire bunch, even with hints of bitterness you would find in darker chocolate candy. I love dark chocolate, so this really ticked that box for me. Also, after consuming several sweet cocoas in a row, this was a refreshing change of pace.

What Could Be Improved: 

Lacking the full-bodied richness of some other brands – Even with the addition of 2% milk, Ghirardelli is missing that slightly thicker consistency you expect from a hot cocoa. The combination of chocolate and fat from the milk should fill the mouth and coat the tongue. This has a consistency closer to water, which kind of takes away from the whole experience, and it certainly impacts the coziness factor of the hot cocoa that is so essential.