Hotel Chocolate Velvetiser first-look review

I’ve been testing the Velvetiser 2.0 for a few weeks now and it’s quickly become part of my evening routine. This is Hotel Chocolat’s latest version of its hot chocolate maker and it’s designed to recreate cafe-style hot chocolate at home. It’s about half the size of a kettle, so it doesn’t hog space on the counter, and all of the three neutral colours (pebble, pewter and chalk) look smart in my kitchen.

Available from Hotel Chocolat (£149.95)

The jug feels heavier and sturdier than Hotel Chocolat’s first iteration, which gives me confidence it’s built to last. It’s whisper-quiet when in use and the hot chocolate it produces is consistently glossy and smooth.

Read our review of the best milk frothers.

What is a Velvetiser?

The Velvetiser is Hotel Chocolat’s take on the ultimate hot chocolate maker. Unlike a standard milk frother, it’s been purpose-built to melt and blend its sachets of finely grated chocolate with milk. With the built-in magnetic whisk and a high-quality non-stick jug, the texture is always silky with a light froth on top.

The upgrade here is the addition of the cold chocolate function, meaning it isn’t just for winter either. Compared to the first model, the 2.0 feels more robust and easier to use day-to-day.

Is the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser easy to use?

I was pleasantly surprised by how simple the Velvetiser is to use. You just pour in milk up to the line on the whisk, add a sachet of Hotel Chocolat flakes, then twist the dial. Turn right for hot chocolate (the light glows red) or left for cold (blue).

Press the same button and in about two minutes, it’s ready. The cleverly designed whisk creates a vortex that mixes everything into a creamy swirl, so there’s no clumps of unmelted chocolate. The machine switches itself off when it’s done.

How does the Velvetiser work?

The clever part is the magnetic whisk combined with the ridged interior of the jug, which is modelled off the shape of a cacao pod. When you start it, the whisk spins and folds the chocolate flakes through the milk, creating tiny bubbles that give the drink its light froth.

It also heats the mixture to the right drinking temperature, around 70C, so it’s warm but not scalding. I like that it’s practically silent compared with other gadgets I’ve tried. You can taste the difference between this and hot chocolate made with powder – it’s richer, smoother and has that cafe-style crema on top.

Can you make coffee in the Velvetiser?

This is a question I had before trying it. The short answer is no, not in the traditional sense; it’s not designed to brew coffee. It’s a hot chocolate maker through and through. That said, Hotel Chocolat sells sachets like its Latte mix, which blends chocolate with coffee and these work beautifully in the Velvetiser. I’ve also used it to froth milk to pour over an espresso for a latte or cappuccino, which works fine. But if you’re looking for a straight coffee machine, this won’t replace one.

How to clean the Velvetiser

Cleaning is straightforward, which is important because I have no doubt people will be using it most nights. After making a drink, I fill the jug with water to the line, add a tiny drop of washing-up liquid and run a quick cycle.

This swirls the water around and loosens any chocolate. Then I rinse the jug and whisk under the tap and wipe it with a soft cloth. The whisk comes out easily (it’s just secured by a magnet) so nothing gets trapped, and the non-stick interior means chocolate doesn’t cling. The main unit isn’t dishwasher-safe, but the mugs are. I found the whole process takes less than a minute.

Is the Velvetiser worth it?

At around £150, the Velvetiser isn’t cheap. But for a dedicated hot chocolate lover, it’s worth the investment. The build quality feels premium, it looks great on the counter and the drinks are far better than anything I’ve managed to create with powder and hot milk.

I also appreciate the recyclable packaging and the included mugs and starter sachets, which let you try a few of Hotel Chocolat’s creative flavours before buying more – salted caramel hot chocolate and banana cold chocolate were real standouts.

The only downsides are that it only makes one cup at a time and you need to hand-wash the jug. If you’re a casual hot chocolate drinker, it might feel like a luxury. But if you love a proper indulgent hot chocolate, the Velvetiser delivers every time.

Available from:

Hotel Chocolat (£149.95)

source https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/review/hotel-chocolate-velvetiser-first-look-review

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