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Hot chocolate feels just as grown-up to me, only softer and easier to sit with.
Starbucks hot chocolate is one of my go-to drinks when I want something creamy and sweet without defaulting to coffee.
The regular version is just the starting point.
These are the Starbucks hot chocolate drinks I keep coming back to, and the small differences that make each one worth ordering.
10 Popular Starbucks hot chocolate drinks
1. Hot Chocolate (Classic Tasty Drink)
The classic Hot Chocolate is still the one I measure the others against.
This beautiful cocktail of steamed milk, mocha sauce, whipped cream, and chocolate drizzle, Starbucks’ classic hot chocolate is super popular.
This drink is often the base for a lot of more elaborate flavors or editions, thanks to its velvety, smooth, and comforting profile.
It has between 190-450 calories in each cup, depending on the size and customizations chosen .
A grande has 37 grams of sugar and 25 mg of caffeine, so it still gives me a small lift without tasting like coffee.
Barista HQ Tip
- Try adding 1 pump of vanilla or Irish cream (or half a pump in a tall/grande).
- Take a packet of salt and a packet of sugar, shake them together, and sprinkle on top of whip.
Whip Up A Starbucks Hot Cocoa From The Comfort Of Your Home!
- PREMIUM INGREDIENTS: Smooth, velvety cocoa with...
2. Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Adding peppermint changes the drink more than I expected the first time I tried it.
This is the regular Hot Chocolate with peppermint syrup added, then topped with whipped cream, mocha drizzle, and dark chocolate curls.
That dark chocolate and peppermint combo is amazing and reminds me of a Peppermint Patty.
In terms of nutrition, the grande size of these Starbucks Christmas drinks tends to have around 530 calories, 69 grams of sugar, and 35 milligrams of caffeine.
Indulge In This Drink Anytime You Want!
- PEPPERMINT HOT COCOA FLAVOR: Rich chocolate and...
- RICH CHOCOLATE TASTE: Smooth cocoa flavor delivers...
- COOL PEPPERMINT FINISH: Refreshing peppermint...
- PERFECT FOR COZY BEVERAGES: Great for cold...
3. White Hot Chocolate
This one leans much more toward white mocha than classic cocoa.
The White Hot Chocolate is a smooth combination of steamed milk, white chocolate mocha sauce, whipped cream, and vanilla.
It reads sweeter and softer than the regular hot chocolate, mostly because it skips cocoa’s slightly bitter edge.
In terms of calories, the grande cup version has around 440 calories depending on your customizations, alongside around 55 grams of sugar.
I always recommend this to my friends who love White Mochas but don’t like the bitterness or caffeine in the espresso.
Barista HQ Tip
- Ask for a pump of Cinnamon Dolce Syrup (this is also known as a Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate)
- Ask for a pump of Brown Sugar Syrup for ultimate holiday vibes
4. Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
Peppermint White Hot Chocolate is the sweeter, more festive version I keep coming back to.
With white chocolate and peppermint syrups, whipped cream, and dark chocolate curls, it feels a little more festive than the plain version without becoming too sharp.
I know it’s white chocolate, but it tastes more like a sweet, rich vanilla and peppermint drink to me.
A Grande has 530 calories or so and 69 grams of sugar, along with 35 milligrams of caffeine.
5. Toasted White Hot Chocolate
I wasn’t expecting to love the Toasted White Hot Chocolate more than the regular version, that I’m also a fan of!
The flavor reminds me of caramelized white chocolate, with a faint nutty note that makes it feel a bit like a toasted marshmallow.
This version starts with white hot chocolate, then adds toasted white chocolate mocha sauce and whipped cream.
In terms of nutrition, a Grande comes in at around 430 calories, 57 grams of sugar, and no caffeine.
6. S’mores Hot Chocolate (Secret Menu)
Speaking of roasted marshmallows, the next drink comes in the form of the S’mores Hot Chocolate.
As my favorite campfire food growing up (and to this day), I had high standards going into it.
It does a decent job of echoing the graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow combination, even though it obviously skips the mess.
How To Order
- Ask for a regular Hot Chocolate, with 2-4 pumps of Praline or Toffee Nut syrup and 1 pump of Vanilla syrup. Top with whipped cream and mocha drizzle to complete one of these comforting Starbucks hot drinks.
7. Pumpkin Hot Chocolate (Secret Menu)
Two of my favorite flavors in one cup was enough to win me over.
I’m surprised (and a little ashamed) I’d never thought of the Pumpkin Hot Chocolate before!
I’ve tried subbing Hot Chocolate for White Hot Chocolate here, and I think it works even better with pumpkin.
How To Order
- Using the standard Hot Chocolate to start, add 2 or 3 pumps of pumpkin spice sauce. Then, add whipped cream and cinnamon powder on top for a perfect combination of Pumpkin Spice Latte + Hot Chocolate.
8. Mexican Hot Chocolate (Secret Menu)
As an Abuelita Hot Chocolate fan, I was impressed by how close this one felt.
It’s a regular Hot Chocolate made with Chile mocha powder, however, not every location has it now.
It comes across spicy, sweet, bold, and still balanced enough to keep drinking.
How To Order
- Ask the barista for a Starbucks hot chocolate, add a pump of cinnamon dolce syrup, mocha, white mocha, and sprinkle cinnamon on top of a dollop of whip.
9. Swirl Pow Hot Chocolate (Secret Menu)
For some reason I thought this had something to do with snowboarding, which made me want to try it even more.
Whatever the name’s origin is, I ended up liking this swirly, creamy treat as a fun alternative to the usual Starbucks drinks.
How To Order
- To order one, simply ask for a Hot Chocolate with 1.5 pumps of vanilla syrup and 1.5 pumps of mocha sauce. Top with whipped cream and the delicious caramel drizzle for the ultimate secret menu treats.
10. Cold Hot Chocolate Frappuccino (Secret Menu)
I know it sounds odd, but after a long morning in the cold, I can see the appeal of heading to the lodge for one of these.
Having a Starbucks there just makes the choice easier.
How To Order
- Order a Double Chocolate Chip Freme Frappuccino with around 3 pumps of vanilla syrup and whipped cream blended in. Top with more whipped cream and a mocha drizzle, it’s rich, creamy, and even more satisfying when it’s hot out!
What can I add to Starbucks hot chocolate drinks?
The base drink is only the starting point. After that, size, milk, temperature, syrup, and toppings do most of the work.
Size is key
Starbucks drinks usually come in a few cup sizes, from smallest to largest:
Knowing what each Starbucks cup size is can be vital to getting the recipe just right, as the syrup and sauce pumps will vary based on this.
Dairy alternatives
For people who change the milk, Starbucks usually offers a few options. The kinds of milk available typically include:
Adjust the temperature of the drink
One detail I think gets missed is that the temperature of a hot drink can be adjusted.
The standard hot drink is about 160 degrees, it is possible to ask for an extra hot (180 degrees) or Starbucks kid’s drink temperature (130 degrees).
Get creative
Drinks usually have anywhere from 1 to 4 pumps of syrup by default.
How many pumps you add depends on the cup size and how sweet you want it.
The way I started customizing my drinks would be to sub one pump of a default flavor with something different.
For example, if a drink calls for 3 pumps of vanilla syrup, I’d swap 1 pump for Brown Sugar syrup or Cinnamon Dolce.
To top things off
Starbucks has added a lot more topping options over the years.
Starbucks whipped cream and cold foam are the most common, but they have over 3 dozen options to choose from now!
Chestnut Praline Crumbs, Cookie Crumble, Crunchy Caramel Sugar, Sprinkles, Sea Salt…the list goes on and on.
How to make Starbucks hot chocolate at home
Ingredients
Instructions
Ganache
- 1Break the semi-sweet chocolate into small pieces if in blocks
- 2Add the chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl along with the heavy cream
- 3Heat the mixture for 15 seconds at a time, stirring in between until a smooth, melted ganache
Steamed Milk
- 4Pour milk into a microwave-safe jar with a lid
- 5Microwave the milk in short bursts until it is hot but not bubbling
- 6Shake the jar until foamy
Important note: be careful when unscrewing the lid as hot milk may spurt out.
Combine
- 7Add chocolate ganache to the milk along with desired syrups
- 8Mix until well blended
- 9Pour drink into a mug if needed
- 10Top with whipped cream and any drizzles, powders, chocolate curls, etc.
FAQs
Does Starbucks hot chocolate have coffee?
Starbucks Hot Chocolate does not have coffee.
Is there caffeine in Starbucks hot chocolate?
There is caffeine in Starbucks hot chocolate, but only a small amount: 15mg - 35mg, depending on the size.
Why can Starbucks hot chocolate taste bitter?
Starbucks Hot Chocolate can taste bitter if you’re expecting the base to read as sweeter.
What is the difference between mocha and hot chocolate from Starbucks?
The difference between mocha and hot chocolate from Starbucks is simple: a mocha has espresso added while hot chocolate doesn’t.
Conclusion - Get your chocolate fix!
There are times when I pull up to the Starbucks drive-thru and just want a warm, chocolatey drink instead of coffee.
Hot chocolate really does the job for me, and I like having so many different versions to choose from.
From Mexican Hot Chocolate to S’mores, they all feel like a comforting alternative to coffee when the weather cools down.
