Starbucks has just recently launched four flavors of hot chocolate, available in grocery stores only. I’ve never seen this packaging/ product available in the retail stores, so it appears to be a grocery store only item. (Someone please correct me if I am wrong!) The four flavors are as follows:
- Salted Caramel
- Toasted Marshmallow
- Peppermint
- Double Chocolate
I definitely like hot chocolate during the colder fall and winter months, and this seems like a great seasonal idea! I grabbed a box of the Toasted Marshmallow flavor to try at home. I think the packaging is a little plain though! I’m not sure I like seeing that much solid white on the box. The image on the Peppermint Hot Chocolate flavor appears to be the Peppermint bark which is sometimes available as a seasonal treat at Starbucks. I have a photo of it in this old December 2010 blog article. Notice that it was not in the pastry case, but rather packaged in a green box. I decided not to buy all four boxes at once, but I plan on eventually trying all the flavors, and Peppermint might be next.
Each package makes 8 ounces, and the instructions simply are to add hot milk, and stir.
So here’s my review of the Toasted Marshmallow flavor:
First off, there are not enough marshmallows in it! This is not going to be an “A” or 5-star review! The flavor is very good, but I was disappointed to realize that there was like one or two marshmallows in my cup. I used a big 16 ounce cup, so I only filled it about half full of hot milk. Of course, this is super easy to make.
Here’s what it looks like mixed. I think it would have looked much more appealing if I had used the right size cup. Sorry about that!
There you have it! It was very chocolately and flavorful. I would give 3 and a half stars out of five. Not enough marshmallows! But the chocolate flavor is very rich and delicious. I can’t wait to try some of the other flavors. I have a feeling the peppermint is going to be the best!
Have you tried these? What do you think? – This is an open thread.
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Great new revenue avenue for them – consumer package goods (CPGs). The execution looks to be a little off from what you’ve said.
How did the white packaging do compared to the rest of the hot chocolates on the shelf? Did these stand out? (I’ve noticed that some of their packaging actually blends in and is harder to find on shelves).
As you know, I am no fan of VIA, but I would be interested in a hot chocolate that managed to combine VIA’s ease-of-mix abilities and stronger flavor. I’m not saying I want a mocha, but rather a hot chocolate that performed like VIA. From the look of the side of your mug, this package performed/behaved like standard hot chocolate – not a seamless mixing process.
Are you serious? I had no idea about this! I don’t know if I failed to read something about it in our promo stuff, or what. Oh my gosh! I can’t wait to run out and buy some! Salted Caramel is going to be the very first purchase. Thanks Melody!
@BCav and CD – I actually think this was officially launched sometime in September, but I only noticed it recently! It was easy to find in the grocery store – at eye level and near all the other chocolate mixes, like Swiss Miss, or what have you. I would DEFINITELY buy this over like a Swiss Miss mix – more chocolatey delicious flavor. But it still has room for improvement. I just threw milk into the microwave to be very fast, so it wasn’t even boiling milk that I used. It worked though. It it’s a little slow to mix, but fine. Just lacking in the marshmallow department! BCav, I definitely want to try the salted caramel flavor too! it would be hard to pick between that and the peppermint. Good to see both of you. 🙂
Wooooooow!!! Now, I am really jealous!!!
I am a huge fan of Premium Hot Chocolate at Starbucks. In colder months I sometimes even drink this more often than coffee at Starbucks.
I never experienced a better hot chocolate taste than at Starbucks…so I never drink this at home, but my biggest wish always was to do so.
Starbucks has so many good things in groceries stores in the U.S….
Wow what a great idea! I have to look for it. Is it being distributed nationally? I am surprised that registered card holders did not get an email about it. Thanks for sharing Melody.
Actually, I’m pretty excited to read this! I was on a big hot chocolate kick last year after I got a cold and wanted something hot but not caffeinated. I didn’t really have any hot chocolates that I was crazy about and Starbucks had sold out of all the holiday hot chocolate packages. I will definitely be trying this ASAP!
Look at that packaging! Call me a skeptic, but I would think the ingredients look nothing like the shaved chocolate pictured and more like something arriving in a railcar.
There is a blog entry about the new product. Perhaps they are waiting until the retail stores channel is full before they make a bigger announcement?
Does that packaging say ‘Made in America?”
http://www.starbucks.com/blog/hot-chocolate-decadence-from-ethical-sources/1096
Reminds me of what we sell during the holidays. I love hot chocolate. 🙂
Cosco had a bigger container of the classic hot chocolate mix last time I went.
Aren’t those the flavors that are usually in our hot chocolate retail sets at Christmas?
And I’m pretty sure the packaging is like that to match the new WB packaging that’s launching with the roast spectrum 🙂
I can’t wait to hunt these down now!!
@Brandon – Good question! I bought the holiday pack of hot chocolate last year. I could swear it was just 3 flavors, not 4 – I don’t think that “salted caramel” was available as a retail flavor before. But it could otherwise be the same! Funny thing though, this doesn’t quite taste like what I remember from the holiday trio pack of instant hot chocolate, but in any case, you may be totally right.
Ahh! I’m so sad. I just came back from Safeway and they did not have a single one of these!! I’ll have to keep an eye out in the future, and I really hope they get these in soon. ARIZONA NEVER GETS THE GOOD STUFF!!! Okay, okay I’m done with my rant 🙁
I found a thread on Msi about the cocoa trio (you’re right it’s always just three flavors) here:
http://blogs.starbucks.com/blogs/customer/archive/2009/12/09/starbucks-cocoa-trio.aspx
I bet they are the same or at least similar. Last year did have toasted marshmallow tho instead of the salted caramel and I’m pretty sure a few years ago there was a cinnamon one. Probably weeded out yhe flavors people like best 😉
Also, I noticed hot chocolate on the store website a while ago too but now they’re all available online for anyone who can’t find them 🙂 http://www.starbucksstore.com/gifts-extras/treat,default,sc.html
@Diele, @Brandon, @Melody
The three are the same ones sold around the holiday in stores. The salted caramel is new. I have seen these both in stores and in grocery before around the holiday, and wonder if this will now become a year round grocery item.
I bought the hot chocolates last year from my store and if I remember correctly they didn’t have the double chocolate one, because I know we had the salted caramel hot chocolate. My mom made me buy it for her for that reason only 🙂
I’m definitely a fan of their hot chocolate, esp. in the winter. I did see that Costco is selling Starbucks cocoa in large silver canisters. Will have to pick up a few for gifts!
I think this is a great idea! I love Starbucks hot chocolate, especially in the cooler months, and I’ve found their at-home hot chocolate to be really good. Better than many other powdered hot chocolate I’ve had.
I know last Christmas I bought a trio pack of hot chocolate, but Melody I think you’re right—I think it was just three flavors; no salted caramel. I remember trying the toasted marshmallow and really liking the flavor, but I’m with you—I wish there had been more marshmallows. At least those are easy enough to add if you’ve got some at home! 🙂
I can’t wait until the weather is cool enough here in Texas to pick up some of those!
Wow, hot chocolate! I love them, especially on cold nights. But I think they’re on starbucksstore.com too, right? And now they’re in grocery stores. Nice… =)
Oh my goodness!!! I am SO jealous…I adore hot chocolate and wish we had them here! The flavors all sound really good. I’d love to try the salted caramel flavor because Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate isn’t part of our menu here in Japan ;D
Hope you’ll update us on all the other flavors when you get to them, Melody!
Any idea if the marshmallow variant is vegetarian?
Interesting question about the marshmellows because my first reaction to it was whether they were vegetarian. I doubt it but it would be nice to know.
I haven’t seen these yet in the groceries but I haven’t looked. (did see the Costco canister offer). I am not such a hot chocolate purist, so I like to be able to mix it in boiled water. (as opposed to milk) Nothing against milk…..just a bit easier, a few less calories etc. I always think the ones that say for milk, really mean it…use milk, not water. I remember trying some M.Field’s Frango mint hot chocolate (for milk) with water, and big fail. wasted chocolate.
I don’t mind the packaging of these….the so-much-white BUT I do think I would mind it on the packaging of Sbux bags of beans. I think they should leave the beautiful (some of them) packages alone. I guess we’ll see, and I guess it won’t matter what we think!
http://news.starbucks.com/article_display.cfm?article_id=576
I think mixing the two of them is going to be delicious!
@Patrick – I am pretty embarrassed to say that I didn’t realize that marshmallows and hot chocolate were not vegetarian (I assume you’d use something like rice milk for your hot chocolate?)
@Diele – Mixing House & BB, or mixing the new Vias and the hot chocolate? I really want to try the House Via!
Mixing the via with the hot chocolate for a quick mocha. 🙂
Marshmellows are rarely vegetarian as companies generally use gelatin or Kosher gelatin as it is easy and cheap. It is a shame really, but I adore trader joes marshmellow treats that are vegetarian.
There old hot chocolate used to taste amazing, and it was little chocolate shavings not powder anyways i wish they would bring that back, but at least there making an effort for us hot chocolate enthusiasts.
Other than the marshmallows, there’s no reason the hot chocolate shouldn’t be ok for vegetarians, but I’ll bet these have some dairy ingredients in them, and that would make them unsuitable for vegans.
My favourite drink at Starbucks is a skinny hot chocolate, especially during monsoon season when it rains at night.
I kind of wish these were available in Malaysia now…. good things come to those who wait, right?
as Anthony pointed out, there’s a difference between ‘vegetarian’ and ‘vegan’. I can’t imagine anything in any of these hot chocolates that would make them unsuitable for vegetarians. Vegan is another matter.
@Denise, it’s the marshmallow. If made using gelatin it contains pig. But the other three should be veggie friendly.
Denise, there are vegetarian marshmallows that are actually pretty good. Being a vegetarian, I am very aware of the use of gelatin in products. I would be surprised though if SB is using a vegetarian marshmallow.
I would be surprised too. The marshmellow dream bar and rocky road cake pop are off limits due to gelatin. Also bummed about the birthday cake cake pop, birthday cake donut, and red velvet whoppie pie due to carmine.
Still looking for these! They all look good! If I find them, I don’t know which I would try first….maybe just the double chocolate or the salted caramel.
@Diele – I tried mixing the marshmallow hot choc with Colombia Via! That was very good! @Hayley – Have you found them yet?
I’m a big fan of all the other Starbucks products in my local store, so I’m excited to try this out too! YUM!
I saw big tins of Starbucks hot chocolate at my local Costco this week.
The “plain” packaging is foreshadowing a more simplified look Starbucks will be introducing when the new Blonde coffees come out. Everything is being repackaged.
I found the cocoas at my local Safeway recently! They didn’t have the salted caramel which was on my list to try, but they did have the other 3 flavors. After a bit of deliberation I decided on the toasted marshmallow one. I tried it yesterday evening and it was fantastic. I had been on a bit of a hot cocoa kick last winter in the evenings, after I found a random package of Starbucks cocoa in my pantry from a gift set. It was after the holidays so all of the Starbucks cocoa was sold out of the stores. I then tried a few other brands including Ghiradelli, but they just weren’t the same, and I was left a bit disappointed.
But this one was as good as I hoped it would be! The first (and only package) I’ve had so far had about 6-7 marshmallows in it, which I thought was a fine amount. It really does have a deeper chocolate flavor and doesn’t taste as sugary as some of the other hot cocoas I’ve had.
Thanks for posting about it so I knew to keep an eye out for it! 🙂
Hayley – That is a good way to describe it – It’s a “deep” chocolate flavor. I thnk I’m going to try the salted caramel one next. Will pick it up soon at the grocery store! I want to hear back if you get a package that has like one single marshmallow in it.
Salted Caramel sounds interesting.