Some rituals are hard to drop even if your lifestyle or health outcomes have forced you to do so. Enjoying a hot chocolate in winter, or at any time of the year, is something of a ritual to me and my family. When I needed to adjust my diet to be dairy-free, I was eager to find a dairy free hot chocolate to add to my pantry. To my surprise, there are actually lots of dairy free hot chocolates at Coles and Woolworths in varying prices and bouginess. Here are some dairy free hot chocolates that I have tried and loved.
1. Cadbury Drinking Chocolate
Yes, I gasped too when I realised that the Cadbury Drinking Chocolate was dairy free. Cadbury is hardly the brand you think of when it comes to dairy alternatives, but it is actually that the cacao powder contains no dairy. There are only four ingredients in this dairy free hot chocolate, and one of them is flavour (as in, chocolate flavour), so you will not be missing out on that familiar Cadbury chocolatey flavour. We will say that you may be getting a higher sugar hit, as that is the first ingredient on the label.
2. Nesquik
If you are grew up in Australia, then you know exactly what Nesquik is, but who would have thought this was dairy free? That thin, tin cylinder with a rabbit on the side was a fixture of many pantries… and we are very pleased to be rediscovering it in adulthood. Now this dairy free hot chocolate is higher in sugar than the ones that will follow, but oftentimes you want to mimic chocolate flavour, and sugar can help, so maybe keep this one on the top shelf for those times you need it! Nesquick is great warm or cold, but you can use less powder if you choose to have it warm.
3. Krumbled magnesium hot chocolate
Now I must admit that another reason I have been keen to start up a hot chocolate routine is that it is all over my social media feeds, especially variants with magnesium. The Krumbmed magnesium hot chocolate seems to be a favourite among the masses. Now you cannot find this one at Cole’s or Woolworths, unfortunately, so you will have to order your Krumbled magnesium hot chocolate directly through the Krumbled Foods website.
I did notice that the magnesium would help me drift off to sleep at night, and reduce some of my restlessness, but always hard to tell if it’s a placebo effect! That said, it’s a yummy drink and has never failed yet in getting me off to sleep, so definitely one to have around if you have trouble with sleep.
4. PANA Organic Hot Chocolate
PANA is a powerhouse in vegan Chocolate, so I wasn’t surprised to learn they had a hot chocolate. It’s decadent and rich in flavour, and we often use it for cappuccinos too, as it’s too good to wait until the evening. Where this hot chocolate different is that it is 33% cacao, which is where that rich flavour comes from. This one is more expensive than the other supermarket brands, but that is the case with most PANA products. Honestly, we think it’s worth the price as its quality ingredients in every product. Don’t believe us? Check out the PANA recipes.
5. Night Night Hot Chocolate
This dairy-free hot chocolate combines indulgent chocolate flavour with sleep-promoting ingredients for the perfect nighttime treat. The blend features passionflower, zizyphus, magnesium, and lemon balm – natural ingredients known for their relaxation benefits. Certainly not a Nesquik recipe! Made with a coconut milk base, it delivers a rich chocolate taste with subtle coconut notes that even dairy drinkers love. I must admit, I do notice the coconut base, but I quite like the flavour as I am a coconut yoghurt fan.
6. Nomad Chocolate
This premium vegan hot chocolate features high-quality West African cocoa that delivers a rich, deep chocolate flavour enhanced by subtle mountain maple and vanilla notes. The plant-based formula is a luxurious drinking experience when mixed with milk (we froth the milk with our coffee machine). The balance strikes an ideal middle ground—neither overly sweet nor bitter—with a really delicious aroma. The product line extends beyond the classic version to include peppermint and hazelnut varieties, offering flavour diversity for different preferences. This artisanal hot chocolate caters to those seeking indulgent, ethically-conscious beverages without compromising on taste or dietary restrictions.
Which of these dairy free hot chocolates have you tried? We loved them all, and the hunt is far from over, so please leave us a comment to tell us which dairy free hot chocolate we should try next!
