It's time to say goodbye to pumpkin-spiced lattes as this year's Christmas drinks have arrived. Hot chocolate lovers have a wide range of choice, from the classic chocolate orange to the deliciously sweet caramel brownie, as the UK coffee giants release their festive drinks.
It's beginning to feel like Christmas walking through Cardiff city centre, as market stalls are being set up in the Hayes and Christmas lights are on display, ready to be switched on later this month. But, more importantly, Starbucks, Costa, Cafe Nero, Pret A Manger, Tim Hortons and Mcdonald's have released their festive drinks to kick off the season.
The new Christmas drinks feature mouthwatering toppings, sweet syrups, mountains of whipped cream and chocolate galore. As the Christmas season is drawing near, I tried the new hot chocolate Christmas range from high street coffee chains and this is what I thought. You can get more consumer news and other story updates straight to your inbox by subscribing to our newsletters here.
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Costa
Costa is back with its classic Terry's Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate which has become a staple to mark the beginning of the Christmas season. It's certainly the sparkliest Christmas drink, as it comes topped with cream covered in orange glittery sprinkles and a mini slice of chocolate orange. On the first gulp, you're met with a strong taste of hot chocolate and orange syrup which is balanced out with the whipped cream. It's definitely the go-to drink to get you in the Christmas spirit.
Prices start at £4.70 for this festive hot chocolate.
Rating: 8/10.
This year Costa also brought out a Toblerone-inspired hot chocolate, which features a mix of a honey-flavoured sauce with their classic hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, festive sprinkles and a mini Toblerone for decoration. Although it's infused with a honey sauce, the drink itself does have a slight nougat aftertaste, which is similar to the taste of a Toblerone. A great alternative if you're not a fan of Terry's Chocolate Orange Hot Chocolate but still fancy something festive.
A medium size will cost you £4.70 for this festive hot chocolate.
Rating: 7/10.
Pret A Manger
This year, Pret has released a Macaroon Hot Chocolate, which features Pret's original hot chocolate with a sweet macaroon-flavoured syrup and topped with whipped cream. However, when I ordered the drink I didn't receive any whipped cream like advertised. I found this hot chocolate a bit too sweet for my liking and definitely gave me a sugar rush at 10am.
As Pret only comes in one size, this hot chocolate will cost you £3.95 and is a part of the Pret subscription.
Rating: 6/10.
Caffè Nero
Caffè Nero's Salted Caramel Brownie Hot Chocolate is the perfect drink for chocolate lovers. The smooth hot chocolate with broken-up chocolate brownie pieces sprinkled in, topped with cream, will tend to anyone's sweet tooth needs. Although my order came with no cream, it was still one of the top hot chocolates I tried that day.
A medium size will cost you £4.25.
Rating: 8/10.
Starbucks
For nut lovers, this year Starbucks has released a Praline Cookie Hot Chocolate, which has a smooth and rich taste. If you're a fan of Ferrero Rocher, this is the perfect drink for you as the top of this hot chocolate is covered in buttery praline cream and a sprinkle of cookie crumbs. However, I didn't get much of the cream while drinking the hot chocolate as it was so thick, but the taste of baked cookies and caramelised hazelnut was strong in each sip.
A grande size will cost you £4.45.
Rating: 9/10.
McDonald's
McDonald's new Hot Chocolate Deluxe is the cheapest out of the coffee chain giants and, unfortunately, you can tell by the taste. In comparison to the creamy alternatives, this hot chocolate is extremely watery and lacks a strong chocolate flavour.
McDonald's hot chocolate will cost you £1.49.
Rating: 4/10.
Tim Hortons
Tim Hortons has launched two Christmas hot chocolates, a new Yule Log Hot Chocolate and a Spiced Orange Hot Chocolate. I tried the Yule Log Hot Chocolate which is topped with whipped cream and drizzled with chocolate sauce. The new Christmas drink was rich and full of flavour, and managed to stay warm while I walked around the city in the cold air -I definitely would get this again.
The festive drink will cost you £4.69.
Rating: 8/10.
Out of this year's festive hot chocolates, there's one winner that is cream and marshmallows above the rest. My personal favourite was Starbucks' Praline Cookie Hot Chocolate which enlightens your taste buds. This is the third most expensive festive drink, with Costa's new hot chocolate range being the highest price, followed by Tim Hortons, but I think Starbucks' Praline Cookie Hot Chocolate is definitely worth the price.
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