Credit:
Products are chosen independently by our editors. Purchases made through our links may earn us a commission.
January 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day 2026, and this winter is definitely giving us every reason to celebrate it properly. When the temperature drops, a warm drink stops being a luxury and starts feeling essential. If coffee isn’t on your agenda today or you’re in the mood for something a little more indulgent than tea, this chocolate-filled holiday has your name on it.
You could grab a cup from a café on the way to work, but making hot chocolate at home opens the door to better flavor and more creativity. A few thoughtful tweaks can transform an ordinary mug into a standout treat. To mark the occasion, we’re sharing some unexpected ways to upgrade your hot cocoa—and no, it doesn’t involve marshmallows or whipped cream.
When is National Hot Chocolate Day 2026?
National Hot Chocolate Day is observed annually on January 31, which falls on a Saturday this year.
What is National Hot Chocolate Day?
National Hot Chocolate Day is a holiday dedicated to, as you can guess, hot chocolate and all of its many admirers. After all, hot chocolate is the justification for having dessert in the morning—free of judgment. No matter which side of the longstanding debate about making it with milk or water, hot chocolate is a drink that unites the masses.
Products to create the perfect hot cocoa for National Hot Chocolate Day 2026
It doesn't matter if you're a bona fide rookie or an experienced veteran when it comes to crafting your own cup of hot chocolate; we've rounded up some of the best products to make your next cup your best one yet.
A mug
Get that Instagram-worthy shot of your cocoa while sipping from these fun mugs.
Believe it or not, starting out with the right cup to put your hot chocolate in is of the utmost importance. Drinking out of your favorite mug can make a world of difference and even make your drink taste better somehow. If the mug collection in your cabinet is dwindling due to cracks and imperfections, or they’ve just become your dishwasher’s most recent victim, it’s time to invest in some quality new mugs. These premium glass mugs from Lysenn have an aesthetically pleasing vertical stripe design and a bamboo lid to keep your drink warm. The best part about these mugs? They come in over 10 ten different colors so you can mix and match to your heart's desire.
A travel mug
Enjoy impressive heat retention for steamy drinks with Reviewed's favorite travel mug.
If you’re on the go and need to take your drink with you, we recommend letting the Zojirushi accompany you on your commute. It’s well-insulated for hot beverages and holds up to 16 ounces.
A milk frother
For quick and easy warming and frothing, try Instant Pot’s 4-in-1 Milk Frother.
Espressos and lattes aren’t the only ones that get to have a foamy finish on top. When it comes to brewing like a real barista, we love using the Instant Pot instant milk frother because it delivers quality foam at home within seconds. This versatile 4-in-1 milk frother can even be used to heat the milk for your hot chocolate! If your past cups of hot chocolate have fallen flat taste-wise, try using a milk frother.
An electric tea kettle
If you prefer water over milk for your hot chocolate, make sure you’re a using an electric kettle to heat your water instead of a microwave.
Being your own barista means the choice is all yours when it comes to ingredients. If you want to use water in your hot chocolate instead of milk, we won’t judge! The Cuisinart PerfecTemp 1.7 Liter Electric Kettle has six preset heat settings between 160°F and 212°F to boil water for you in as little as five minutes. Also, the 30-minute Keep Warm feature will keep your water toasty, just in case you finish your first cup and want to go back for seconds.
A proper set of spoons
Evenly mix the contents in your next cup of cocoa with spoons that look more luxurious than they cost.
A beverage enthusiast like yourself knows that you need a proper set of spoons to stir your hot drinks. The last thing you want is to slurp up powdered chunks or have all your added goodies fall to the bottom of your glass during your sip session. To ensure everything is evenly distributed in your cup, use an extended spoon. These dishwasher-safe stainless steel spoons can be used for more than just hot chocolate: for hot tea, coffee, milkshakes, and more.
Fancy a sweeter option? Keep the flavor going with these milk and white chocolate spoons from Fruidles that offer an extra boost of chocolate as you drink.
This solid chocolate spoon will help stir your drink and double the chocolate-y flavor as it melts.
A stovetop pot
The versatile pot is mini, but mighty for boiling, brewing, frying and more.
Feel like taking it back to the basics? Try cooking your hot chocolate in a pot on the stove! Adopting a more retro method of making hot chocolate might make you feel nostalgic for those snowy days of your childhood. Use Our Place’s Mini Perfect Pot 2.0 to create your hot chocolate the way mom used to. Not only does this petite pot have a ceramic nonstick coating inside, but it also has a small spout on the side, making it ideal for distributing hot beverages amongst your fellow hot chocolate aficionados.
Deluxe hot chocolate mix
These cocoa powder mixes are so convenient to make a conveniently tasty cup of hot chocolate.
Everyone knows you can’t go wrong with a classic. L.A. Burdick’s Hot Cocoa bags include premium ingredients and come in an assortment of options, including Grenada, White, Dark, and Milk. Need a bit more convincing? These delicious mixes even come with an adorably tiny whisk to make mixing a breeze.
French chocolate from a pro chocolatier
If you’re in need of quality chocolates to cook with, you’re in luck. La Maison Du Chocolat is offering premier chocolates right ahead of Valentine’s Day.
We recognize that all things should be enjoyed in moderation, but who can deny indulging in a succulent bonbon alongside your hot chocolate? This holiday, the phrase "the more the merrier" should be adopted! However, we recommend shelling out the extra funds on grade-A chocolate from La Maison du Chocolat, which is exclusively crafted by chef Nicolas Cloiseau. Experience a myriad of new flavors in your mouth like lemon and cream infused Andalouise ganache—which we can only imagine tastes as dreamy as it sounds. Chocolate lovers will rejoice at the idea of elevating their cup of hot chocolate with, you guessed it, more delicious chocolate.
feature
