“No Thanks to Tea or Coffee – I’ll Have a Hot Chocolate, Please!”

An Ode to the Uncaffeinated Crowd

You know the moment. You’re out with friends, someone asks what you’d like to drink, and there’s a pause after your reply:

“I don’t drink tea or coffee… but I’ll have a hot chocolate.”

The raised eyebrows. The polite confusion. Maybe even a chuckle. As if you’ve said something scandalous – as though turning down caffeine is a revolutionary act.

But guess what? We’re not alone.

Hot Chocolate: The Quiet Rebel's Drink

While tea and coffee dominate the hot drink scene in the UK, hot chocolate quietly holds its ground – especially among those who dodge the daily caffeine buzz.

According to a YouGov survey from 2020, around 13% of Brits say they don’t drink any coffee, and 9% don’t drink tea. That’s potentially millions of people steering clear of caffeine-heavy brews. And while hard stats on “hot chocolate drinkers only” are surprisingly elusive (who knew we were such an underground movement?), market trends show that hot chocolate sales tend to spike in colder months, and are especially popular with those seeking warmth, comfort, and calm without the jitters.

Why Hot Chocolate Hits Different

• It’s gentle. No sudden buzz, no crash. Just mellow warmth and a cocoa hug.

• It feels indulgent. There’s something nostalgic and luxurious about it. A drink that says, “slow down, take a moment.”

• And when it’s made properly – with real chocolate, hand-blended in Cambridgeshire, free from additives or enhancers – it’s something you can feel genuinely good about drinking.

So… Are We a Secret Society?

Not quite. But maybe we are the quiet disruptors in a world that runs on espresso shots. Choosing hot chocolate isn’t childish – it’s intentional. It’s warm, it’s grounding, and sometimes, it’s exactly what you need when everything else feels a bit too fast.

So next time you reach for that mug of smooth Slopes hot chocolate, know this: you’re not weird. You’re just choosing differently. And you’re in good company.