Hotel Chocolat ALL-NEW Velvetiser Review

Hotel Chocolat’s ALL-NEW Velvetiser is for those who want a dedicated hot (and cold) chocolate drink maker that also looks the part in a modern kitchen. With higher quality materials than the old version, the ALL-NEW version feels a lot more premium, which does help to justify the relatively high price for such a focused kitchen appliance. After using it for two weeks, here is my review.

Hot and cold

The main upgrade found with the ALL-NEW Velvetiser is the ability to make cold drinks in addition to hot drinks. There’s a dial on the base station that allows users to select hot or cold, which is simple enough.

Once hot or cold has been selected, users press in the knob and the process begins. The milk and chocolate flakes are then combined within the jug, resulting in an impressively smooth and well-mixed final drink. It’s an elegant solution, though the hand-washing process can be a bit tedious.

The cold drinks are just as good as the hot drinks, which is a true achievement. It’s nice that the ALL-NEW Velvetiser remains viable throughout the entire year, as the original only really got used during the colder months when hot chocolate is most desirable.

Be wary of your choice of chocolate

In my experience, the Velvetiser is quite particular about what chocolate flakes I use. The obvious choice is Hotel Chocolat’s own flakes, samples of which are included with the machine. However, replenishing these can be pricey.

What I like about Hotel Chocolat’s own flakes is that each sachet is the perfect amount for the Velvetiser. I’m also a fan of the variety of flavors, and Hotel Chocolat semi-regularly releases new ones. Again, they are just a bit pricey.

Disclosure: Review unit purchased by reviewer from Hotel Chocolat.