Mince Pie Flavour Hot Chocolate (Whittard) By @Cinabar

I am firmly back in my festive hot chocolate season, and this time I picked up a more premium option from Whittard. Their drinks do cost more than supermarket hot chocolates, but they also consistently offer interesting flavours and good quality. Whittard has a solid range available all year round, but this one is part of their Christmas selection and immediately caught my eye. This is the Mince Pie Flavour Hot Chocolate.

Opening the tub was a good start. It was pleasingly full, which always feels reassuring with premium products. The smell was instantly festive, with a warm mix of chocolate and Christmas spices rising out of the tub. Before making it, I checked the instructions, which recommend three teaspoons of powder per mug of milk, with the option to add more if you are feeling indulgent. I decided to stick close to the suggested amount but went with three and a half teaspoons, partly because my mugs are a decent size and partly because this felt like a drink that deserved it.

The powder blended into the hot milk easily, with no lumps or bits left behind. The first sip was exactly what I was hoping for. It is rich and chocolatey, but also fruity and gently spiced. There is a clear citrus note, similar to orange, alongside a raisin like sweetness that really does echo a classic mince pie filling. The spices round everything off without being overpowering.

At three and a half teaspoons, the strength was spot on. This is a proper Christmas in a mug hot chocolate, and one I would happily buy again if it returns next year.