If I said "cold hot chocolate," how would you react? Here's why I ask: The latest Velvetiser, a hot chocolate maker from Hotel Chocolat, includes a cold setting, and my first thought was, "Soooo...chocolate milk?"
I've been using the new model for two months to make hot and cold, uh, "hot" chocolate. I'd say the results of the cold setting are actually more like a melted milkshake. But does that make the newest model of the Velvetiser worth the price? Let's investigate.
What is a Velvetiser?
A Velvetiser is a hot chocolate maker from Hotel Chocolat, a luxury chocolate maker based in the UK. It's a countertop device similar to a milk frother that heats milk and uses a removable whisk to melt and incorporate the brand's proprietary chocolate flakes. The flakes, called Drinking Chocolate, come in a ton of flavors, like Salted Caramel, Hazelnut Praline, and Black Forest Gateau.
The name is fancy and, honestly, pretty truthful. In fact, it's one of the two hot chocolate makers I recommended after evaluating several as part of our testing to find the top milk frothers.
What's new about the latest model?
Hotel Chocolat released the first Velvetiser model in 2018. It was a sleek pot with a perpendicular handle, similar to a Turkish coffee pot. The company launched a new model in 2025, partnering with ceramicist Andrew Wicks to update the design.
- The straight lines are gone in favor of a curved body that resembles a cacao pod. Even the whisk looks like a cacao flower. It's an aesthetic difference that signals that the product is upscale.
- The handle is now a bit more ergonomic with the new ash wood version running parallel to the machine rather than perpendicular to it, like the Classic version.
- The interior of the pot is now ridged, which the company says helps create a vortex that can yield a silkier finish in the cocoa. The ridging also necessitated another change: The maximum fill line has now moved to the post of the whisk.
- And the biggest change is that the new model can be set to produce hot or cold drinking chocolate. According to the brand, the hot setting heats to 155˚F to 158˚F, and I did find that my beverage was around 155˚F. The cold setting initially pulses the mixture to start combining them, and then it runs continuously to fully incorporate.
Pros
✔️ The Velvetiser does a great job of making hot chocolate. The beverages you'll get are more decadent than standard hot chocolate packets. The hot beverages are frothy and creamy. The cold options feel rich, like a melted milkshake. (Pro tip: Do follow the packet instructions to shake it so that you don't end up with clumps in the final drink.)
✔️ The Drinking Chocolate flavors are delicious. In addition to 50-, 70-, and 85-percent-cacao blends, there are flavored options, seasonal offerings, and even a vegan selection.
✔️ It comes in three colors. The new model comes in Pebble, Chalk, and Pewter. The Classic version comes in Charcoal, Copper, and Platinum.
✔️ It also works well as a milk frother. It produces milk with fine bubbles on both the hot and cold settings.
Cons
✔️ It's expensive. The Classic model is $110. The cheaper starter kit for the new model, which includes cups and one box of flakes, is $165 on the Hotel Chocolat site. The other kit, which includes cups and four boxes of flakes, is $190. And then you'll need to buy the Drinking Chocolate packets, which are by and large $25 for 10 sachets.
✔️ It makes only one drink at a time. There is no batching. If you've raved to your friends about how good it is, they'll be sipping theirs while you're waiting on yours.
✔️ It's not dishwasher-safe. It is an electric appliance, so you cannot pop it in the dishwasher. That said, it is easy to clean. You can add water and a little dish soap and run the machine, or just wash it with a gentle brush or cloth.
The bottom line: Is the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser worth it?
If you've read this far, you must truly be considering a hot chocolate maker for yourself or as a gift. If that's the case, you won't be disappointed. It makes (ahem) velvety hot chocolate in a lot of tasty flavors. And it functions as a milk frother, which is a bonus for cappuccino or London fog fans. But it is definitely for the cocoa lovers.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Sarah Gregory is a deputy editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute. She led the testing for hot chocolate makers and milk frothers and has opinions about countertop appliances like waffle makers. She drank dozens of cappuccinos and cups of cocoa while testing the Ember Mug 2 for a year. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
Sarah (she/her) is a deputy editor in the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she tests products and covers the best picks across kitchen, tech, health and food. She has been cooking professionally since 2017 and has tested kitchen appliances and gear for Family Circle as well as developed recipes and food content for Simply Recipes, Martha Stewart Omnimedia, Oxo and Food52. She holds a certificate in professional culinary arts from the International Culinary Center (now the Institute of Culinary Education).
