When Do People Drink Hot Chocolate—And Why?
Ever wondered when people are most likely to reach for a mug of hot chocolate? Is it a morning treat? An afternoon pick-me-up? Or purely an evening indulgence? We were curious too—and what we discovered just might surprise you.
According to UK surveys, two-thirds of people enjoy hot chocolate at least once a month, and nearly one in three sip it weekly. That’s a lot of warm, velvety mugs being poured—so what is it about hot chocolate that calls to us, and when exactly are we answering?
Morning Mugs: A Warm Start to the Day
In France and Spain, hot chocolate isn’t just a seasonal luxury—it’s a morning ritual. Imagine thick, spoonable chocolate served alongside a warm croissant or crisp churros. It’s less about caffeine, and more about comfort. Could this be why some of us crave it as soon as the day begins—something about childhood memories, or the need for gentleness before the rush?
Would you ever swap your morning coffee for a mug of molten chocolate?..Or a Mocha.. Oooh no you're talking!
Midday Moments: The 11am Pause
Then there’s elevenses—the quaint British habit of a mid-morning snack around 11am. Traditionally accompanied by tea or coffee, we’re seeing hot chocolate sneak in here too. Maybe it’s the mood boost it offers, the little act of self-kindness that says, “Take a break. You’ve earned it.”
Is hot chocolate the new companion to your mid-morning scroll or book break?
Afternoon Treats: The Sweet Reset
In Paris, around 4 p.m., children (and adults) enjoy le goûter—a post-school, pre-dinner pause for something sweet. Hot chocolate often features here. It’s that moment in the day when energy dips and cravings stir. A time when liquid chocolate feels less like dessert and more like revival.
Do you ever reach for chocolate—not as indulgence—but as a way to reset, for a calm moment?
Evening Rituals: Winding Down with Warmth
Perhaps the most universal time for hot chocolate is evening. There’s something almost instinctual about winding down with something warm and sweet as the light fades. It’s a quiet comfort, a soft exhale at the end of a noisy day. Some even use it as a sleep aid, combining it with plant milks or calming herbs.
Could this be why we crave hot chocolate in winter especially—because it’s not just warmth for the body, but for the soul?
So, When Do You Drink Hot Chocolate?
What’s fascinating is that there’s no one answer. For some, it’s tradition. For others, nostalgia. For many, it’s simply about the feeling—a little indulgence, a moment of escape, a return to something softer.
And here at Slopes Hot Chocolate, we’re inspired by all of it. Morning, midday, night—we’re developing flavours and formats that meet you where you are, whenever the craving calls.
Because maybe hot chocolate isn’t about the clock at all.
Maybe it’s about the moment.