Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

Snowy day?

Of course, but what kind do you like?

It turns out that the best hot cocoa is familiar and comforting.

Various brands of hot cocoa mixes

Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

Could we pick out our go-to from a bunch of options and would it still be our favorite?

Here’s what we learned.

The Grown-Up Cocoa: Starbucks Classic Hot Cocoa Mix

Who says only kids can have fun?

Hand pouring hot cocoa mix into a measuring cup

Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

“This is bitter in a good way, but my kids would not like this.

It has a rich chocolate flavor and the texture is creamy,” says art director Sarah Crowder.

Trader Joe’s Sipping Chocolate is one of the few we agreed tastes and smells like real chocolate.

Hand pouring hot cocoa into small white cups

Simply Recipes / Sarah Crowder

“It’s like melted chocolate ice cream, but warm.

And in a good way!”

“It’s well balanced,” says general manager Emma Christensen.

I would make this for myself with frothed almond milk and a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top.