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Hot Chocolate Winter Menu Ideas
Hot chocolate is enjoyed all over the world, but every country drinks it differently! The UK hot chocolate market alone is worth a staggering £132m. Hot chocolate is the UK’s third most popular coffee shop drink. It’s the top choice for non-coffee drinkers and is perfect for broadening your appeal and adding something special to the menu. Hot chocolate has evolved far beyond the basics. Today’s consumers are also craving indulgence, customisation, and creativity. From classic builds to fantasy-inspired drinks and TikTok-worthy toppings, hot chocolate is a must-have on your menu this season.
Here are some of the biggest hot chocolate trends for 2025 and beyond:
Lookin’ Luxury
A recent Mintel study reveals that seasonal and premium chocolate drinks continue to be a major draw for coffee shop consumers in 2025. The French extra thick hot chocolate (Le chocolat chaud) went viral on TikTok recently with over 34.1m views of #frenchhotchocolate. It’s typically made with 70% cacao or more and the thicker texture is ideal for dipping your croissant!
Value added is top of consumer’s minds – whether it’s how luxurious the drink looks or tastes, or how many, and quality of ingredients included. A consumer survey found that 52% of consumers purchase premium/luxury beverages to treat themselves instead of lavish meals out.
Swicy (HOT NEW TREND!)
The “swicy” trend (combining sweet and spicy flavours) is making significant waves in the beverage industry – like in Mexico where they add chilli to hot chocolate for an extra kick! This fusion caters to consumers seeking bold, adventurous taste experiences.
Retro Revival
Flavours like gingerbread, toffee nut, and chocolate orange aren’t just comforting, they’re nostalgic. These classic crowd-pleasers tap into childhood memories and festive rituals, making emotional connections that drive repeat orders. In fact, nostalgic flavours are among the biggest influencers in customer drink choices this season. Gen Z are driving this trend for nostalgia with over a third of them nostalgic for the 90s! Over 40% of consumers said nostalgic and traditional flavours are the most influential in their choice of beverage products*.
Personalisation Perfection
Today’s consumers want to feel in control of their choices. Giving them the ability to mix, match, and personalise their hot chocolate not only builds excitement, it deepens emotional engagement. 71% of consumers expect personalisation with their beverages, and 76% get frustrated when they don’t find it.
A personalised experience feels more rewarding, more shareable, and more memorable. Whether they’re choosing toppings, flavours, or milk type, your customers will love being part of the creation process.
OTT (Over the top!)
A freakshake or loaded hot chocolate is the ultimate social media picture perfect beverage. Originally from Australia, it has over 2.4m views on TikTok and 215k hashtags on Instagram. You can add anything to your freakshake or loaded hot chocolate including a brownies, popcorn or even a whole slice of cake! Up to 40% of Gen Z use Instagram and TikTok for finding places to eat and drink instead of Google. To get your menu snapped for social media, your drinks must be well-presented, eye-catching and super appealing to a hungry stomach! With strong visual appeal and a ‘limited time’ feel, loaded hot chocolate is a low-effort upsell that delivers a higher margin.
Dessert Inspired Deliciousness
In 2025, the fusion of bakery-inspired flavours into drinks is an undoubted trend, reflecting consumers’ desire for nostalgic and indulgent taste experiences. This trend also aligns with the broader movement towards experiential consumption, where a product’s sensory experience is as important as its functional benefits. Gen Z and Boomers will likely indulge in mash-up cuisines in 2025, exploring familiar flavours in new formats.
SIMPLY TOP TIP: Offer a drink with a matching mini dessert for an indulgent upsell e.g. Sticky Toffee Pudding + Sticky Toffee Hot Chocolate
Menu Suggestions
The Classics:
Something Exciting!
- Chilli
- Pretzel
- Tiramisu
- Toffee Popcorn
Festive LTO’s:
- White Winter Wonderland
- Festive Pistachio Praline
- Yule Log
- Enchanted Forest (Black Forest)
- Candy Cane White
Discover the Simply Hot Chocolate Range
Looking for more inspiration:
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If you’d like help customising your menu or have questions about our products and recipes, contact our sales team through our live web chat.
