A good vegan hot chocolate starts with having good chocolate as the foundation. That sounds obvious, but it's worth saying plainly because it's exactly where most mediocre mixes fall down. The base truly matters. When the cocoa or cacao in a mix is genuinely high quality, the drink is naturally rich and complex without needing extra packets, extra sweetener, or extra effort.
What Goes Into A Dairy Free Cocoa Mix
A dairy free cocoa mix replaces the milk solids and cream that conventional mixes depend on for richness. Good vegan versions use natural cocoa or cacao, a sweetener, and sometimes a fat source like coconut sugar or cacao butter to build body. The best ones are simple on the ingredient list and taste like actual chocolate rather than a flavored approximation. Lake Champlain works with fair trade organic cacao, and that difference shows up clearly in the cup.
Our piece on the benefits of vegan chocolate covers why cacao quality matters both in the mug and more broadly, and it's worth a read alongside this one.
Why Chocolate Quality Makes The Difference
For anyone who's settled for a mix that tastes fine but not memorable, high-quality dairy free cocoa is the upgrade that makes sense. The flavor of a well-sourced cacao, like DAR Vegan European Drinking Cacao, is rounder and more layered, with a cleaner finish than commodity cocoa powder delivers. The chocolate notes don't disappear into sweetness; they stay present through the whole cup.
Our roundup of the best vegan chocolate bars covers the rest of what Lake Champlain does particularly well if you want to go further into their catalog.
Two Lake Champlain Hot Chocolate Mixes Worth Having
Lake Champlain Chocolates makes two hot chocolate mixes, and we carry both. Browse the full Lake Champlain collection to see everything they offer, or read on for what sets each mix apart.
Lake Champlain Traditional Hot Chocolate
The Lake Champlain Traditional Hot Chocolate comes in a 16oz tin and leans into the classic profile: sweet, smooth in the cup, and chocolatey in a way that feels like a treat without being overdone. Mix it with your preferred non-dairy milk, bring it up gently on the stove or in a mug, and you have something that stands completely on its own. It's the version for people who want a hot chocolate that tastes like the one from childhood, in a form they can actually drink.
Lake Champlain Dark Hot Chocolate
For a deeper, less sweet approach, the Lake Champlain Dark Hot Chocolate in the 13oz tin is the one to reach for. Dark cocoa gives it a more intense flavor profile: the sweetness is there but restrained, and the cacao notes carry through with real clarity. It's the mix for anyone who takes their chocolate seriously and would rather have something layered and nuanced than something simply sweet. It works particularly well in the evening, when something rich and not overly sweet is exactly what the end of the day calls for.
Making A Great Cup Of Plant Based Hot Chocolate
The mix does most of the heavy work, but a few choices make a meaningful difference in the finished mug. Plant based hot chocolate is one of the more forgiving drinks to prepare at home, and it pairs naturally with the full range of non-dairy milks.
The Milk You Pour Makes A Difference
Non-dairy milk matters more than most people expect when making vegan hot cocoa. Oat milk is a fantastic crowd favorite, offering a creamy, slightly sweet base that is easy to froth if you want to give your drink a coffeehouse feel. Coconut milk adds a luscious richness that leans further into the dessert quality of a dark cocoa blend. Soy milk is a highly reliable option that holds up well at higher temperatures without separating, while almond milk is lighter and keeps the flavor from getting too heavy.
Our full guide to non-dairy milk options goes into how each one behaves and which pairings tend to work best.
Toppings And Add-Ins That Earn Their Place
Once the base is sorted, the additions are where the mug gets interesting. Dandies vegan marshmallows melt beautifully on top and pair especially well with the Traditional blend. A pinch of cinnamon or a small amount of cayenne changes the character of the Dark mix considerably, giving it a warmth that goes beyond temperature. A drizzle of vegan caramel or a spoonful of coconut cream takes things in a dessert direction that's hard to argue with.
For everything that belongs alongside a great mug, our chocolate, candy, and sweets collection is the right place to browse.
Find Your Dairy Free Hot Chocolate At VeganEssentials
We carry Lake Champlain hot chocolate mixes alongside the rest of their lineup, all in one place and all confirmed 100% cruelty-free. Hot chocolate might feel seasonal, but a good tin on the shelf is useful year-round for cozy evenings, slow mornings, or a gift that actually gets used.
VegNews Magazine has voted us the Best Online Grocery Store for 19 years running. As a vegan-owned and operated small business, we have been sourcing specialty pantry items and sweet treats for our plant-based family since 1997.
Our small team works around the clock to keep your favorites in stock and ship your orders quickly, because vegan living is easier when you are not hunting across a dozen different sources. We have done that ingredient-list checking for you, so place your order today and let us handle the rest.
