There’s something about Christmas that’s almost synonymous with utter chocolate indulgence. The richer, the creamier, and the more luxurious, the better – and nobody does it quite like Hotel Chocolat. Chocolate fans are in for a treat this year as the British cacao growers launch the latest additions to their Christmas range, wrapped up and ready for the festive period.
The new additions include the chocolatier’s first advent calendar dedicated to its iconic Velvetised drinking chocolate, delicious sharing tins of individually wrapped fan favourites, and their first ever seasonal traybake. Here’s the top picks (and go-to gift list) from Hotel Chocolat’s brand new 2023 offering:
The Velvetiser Drinking Chocolate Advent Calendar (£45.00)
Count down to Christmas with a cup of Velvetiser Hot Chocolate, with this unique advent calendar filled with 24 sachets from the library of Hotel Chocolat’s flavours from deep, decadent 85% Dark, to astonishingly creamy Vanilla-White, via warming Chilli, zesty Salted Caramel & Clementine and tongue-tingling Mint. Each day there’s a new flavour of hot chocolate for fans to indulge in to start the ultimate countdown to the big day.
Black Forest Gateaux Velvetised Cream, 500ml (£23.00)
The limited edition Velvetised Cream flavour has been recreated in an alcohol form due to the success of the Black Forest Gateaux Velvetiser Hot Chocolat Sachets, which launched last year. The dark and creamy white chocolate provides a flavour which resembles the cake which inspired the drink. The ingredients of blended sweet and morello cherries brings the almond flavour to life which is subtly tangy. Best served over ice as a neat drink, it’ll be a truly festive edition to this year’s Christmas after meal treat.
The Nice Slice (£16.95)
Inspired by the beloved fridge cake, the Nice Slice is an elegant treat for all the family, with sumptuously smooth hazelnut and almond praline and packed with crunch. Perched on top of the Nice Slice is a cast of solid, mellow and malty caramel-milk chocolate penguins wrapped up in bobble hats and snow-white boots, ready for the Christmas festivities to begin.
Cookies Luxe (£12.95)
This keepsake tin of four exceptionally decadent chocolate biscuits which have a satisfying nutty crunch and are each topped with a hazelnut praline penguin, is the perfect gift for someone special this December.
Drinking Chocolate Devotee Limited-Edition Selection (£20.00)
The limited-edition hot chocolate gift set is filled with bold and fruity right through to creamy and comforting flavours. The 12 distinctive recipes include decadent Black Forest Gateau, uplifting Salted Caramel & Clementine, and smooth Peanut Butter. Among the dozen recipes is the latest limited edition flavour, Apple Pie – the classic dessert reimagined in drinking chocolate, with all the comfort and authenticity of the original.
The Big Dipper – Favourites Edition (£27.95)
Come together with your favourite people and share Hotel Chocolat’s favourite recipes. The Big Dipper is a shareable selection of 28 individually wrapped chocolates including Billionaire’s Shortbread, Raspberry Panna Cotta, Pecan Praline, 70% Dark Dizzy and Caramel Cheesecake. The collection is presented in a cacao pod-inspired tin that can be reused throughout the season and beyond. Gather your friends and family this Christmas, lift the lid, and let the good times begin!
A Waddle of Penguins (£11.95)
Hotel Chocolat’s penguins have got a new home, in an elegant silver toned gift tin. The stocking filler of nine milk chocolate penguins cast in mellow, creamy 40% milk chocolate and filled with gooey caramel. The penguins are wrapped in cosy bobble hats and snow-proof welly boots.
Luxury British cacao grower and chocolatier Hotel Chocolat was founded in 2004 to make exciting chocolate with three guiding principles – authenticity, originality and ethics – that remain central to the brand’s success today. With its Rabot Estate cacao farm, hotel restaurant and bar on the Caribbean Island of Saint Lucia, a chocolate manufacturing facility in Cambridgeshire, UK, and locations across the UK and internationally, Hotel Chocolat occupies a unique space – being able to link all aspects of chocolate from the tree to the consumer. Hotel Chocolat connects the world of sustainable cacao agriculture with the hedonism of top-quality chocolate.
Whether it’s picking a thoughtful gift for family members, a fun advent calendar to bring joy, or perfecting the Christmas table with a beautiful Hotel Chocolat cracker, the carefully curated Christmas collection is sure to bring a sprinkle of sparkles and shine to any yule tide event. You can shop the range in-store at Hotel Chocolat, and online right here.