You've Probably Never Tried Chilled Chocolate Like This Before

Picture this: It's a Saturday, and the barbecue is in full swing for a summer's afternoon. A few guests have gathered around for a small intimate gathering, and the buzz of conversation fills the air. It's the perfect time for a refreshment. So, how do you make one with the Velvetiser?

British chocolatier Hotel Chocolat's revolutionary Velvetiser allows you to make creamy, barista-grade drinking chocolate from the comfort of your own home. This means not only hot chocolate for those wintery nights but also chilled chocolate for these balmy late-summer days.

What Is the Velvetiser?

Imagined by Hotel Chocolat chocolatiers and engineered by Dualit, a British manufacturer of innovative and reliable kitchen appliances, the Velvetiser allows you to create luxurious drinking chocolate from the comfort of your home in just 2.5 minutes.

By melting the chocolate to the perfect temperature, cocoa solids and cocoa butter blend effortlessly. Once the chocolate has melted, the whisks aerate and fold the chocolate into a velvety liquid consistency.

With an option of copper, charcoal or matte white, the Velvetiser's chic esthetic is a stylish addition to any home.

What Makes Hotel Chocolat So Special?

Hotel Chocolat is a chocolatier and cacao grower founded on the principles of originality, authenticity and ethics, and with a mission to produce the best chocolate in the world. The brand claims it is the only British chocolatier to grow some of its own cacao directly on its Rabot Estate in Saint Lucia.

Combine with your choice of dairy or plant-based milk and have a silky-smooth, "velvetised" drink with the press of a button.

The Hotel Chocolat Flavor Library

Choose from a library of irresistible flavors made with grated flakes of real chocolate. Hotel Chocolat has 12 drinking chocolate flavors:

• Milky 50 Percent
• Hazelnut Praline
• 100 Percent Dark
• Ginger
• Classic 70 Percent
• Mint
• Orange
• Dark 85 Percent
• Chilli
• Vanilla-White
• Nutmilk 45 Percent
• Salted Caramel

In addition to this library of irresistible flavors, you can create delicious hot or chilled chocolate lattes, which are perfect to begin the day or as an afternoon pick-me-up.

How to Make the Perfect Chilled Drinking Chocolate

Summer means something different to everyone. Whether you enjoy entertaining friends in the garden or prefer some relaxing me time in the sun, the Velvetiser allows you to make a refreshing chilled drink fit for every occasion. Here is a step-by-step guide:

1. Pour 4 ounces of dairy or plant-based milk (oat or almond work particularly well) into your Velvetiser, add your favorite single-serve chocolate flavor and press the button.

2. While you wait (just 2.5 minutes), add six to eight ice cubes to a tall glass with 3.5 ounces milk of your choice.

3. Pour in the contents of the Velvetiser and add any toppings you fancy—why not try some chocolate on the side to accompany this treat. Serve and enjoy!

Chilled Recipes

Need some inspiration? Here are some great ways to make use of your Velvetiser during the warmer months.

Almond-Milk Chocolate Shake

This quick recipe is surprisingly easy, and the outcome is sure to impress. Plus, it's dairy-free. It's perfect for a summer party, or skip the occasion and just treat yourself.

Ingredients

• 7.5 ounces almond milk
• 1 single-serve (or 5 heaping teaspoons) Classic 70 Percent or Nutmilk 45 Percent Hot Chocolate
• 1 scoop dairy-free ice cream

Method

1. Pour 4.5 ounces of the almond milk into the Velvetiser along with the single-serve, or 5 heaping teaspoons, of the desired hot chocolate.

2. Press the Velvetiser button and wait 2.5 minutes.

3. In the meantime, pour the remaining 3 ounces almond milk into a glass over a couple of ice cubes.

4. Add one scoop of your favorite dairy-free ice cream to the glass.

5. Pour the contents of the Velvetiser into your glass.

6. Enjoy in the sunshine (preferable but not essential)!

Salted Caramel Chocolate Cocktail

In the mood for something with a bit of alcohol? This tipple balances caramel notes with just the right amount of sea salt and a hint of vodka for a cool, malty, not-too-sweet cocktail for summer.

Ingredients

• 7.5 ounces milk of choice
• 1 single-serve (5 heaping teaspoons) Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate
• 1 shot Vodka (flavored or unflavored)

Method

1. Pour 4.5 ounces milk of your choice (we love whole dairy or oat milk) into the Velvetiser, along with a single-serve, or 5 heaping teaspoons, of Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

2. Press the Velvetiser button and wait for 2.5 minutes.

3. In the meantime, pour the Vodka shot and remaining 3 ounces milk into a glass over a couple of ice cubes.

4. Pour the contents of Velvetiser into your glass.

5. Enjoy! Try a boozy pairing for the ultimate treat.

So, whether you'd like a morning boost, a mid-afternoon lift or an evening indulgence, the Velvetiser will be there. Get creative, make your own hot or chilled recipes, and experiment with Hotel Chocolat's library of flavors.

Our Velvetiser, Your Way

Here's what some of the brand's customers have to say about the Velvetiser:

"Fantastic piece of kit! Revolution in chocolate making!"—SueP, Solihull

"Oops this could be addictive! The Velvetiser is sooooooooo good."—Diane, Worcester

"Utterly delicious, should have bought one sooner!"—White Lodge, Wales

Add a bit of luxury chilled chocolate to your summer. Get your own Velvetiser here.