Swiss Miss Crowned Champion in Hot Cocoa Mix Taste Test

Buzzfeed writer Luke Field samples 8 popular hot chocolate brands, with Swiss Miss emerging as the clear winner.

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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After relocating from sunny Los Angeles to the frigid winters of Philadelphia, Buzzfeed writer Luke Field decided to conduct an extensive taste test of popular store-bought hot chocolate mixes. He sampled 8 different brands, including Starbucks, Ghirardelli, Nestle, Swiss Miss, and more, evaluating factors like sweetness, flavor, richness, and overall coziness. While some mixes were overly sweet or lacked chocolate flavor, Swiss Miss was crowned the champion, striking the perfect balance and evoking nostalgic memories from Field's childhood.

Why it matters

As the cold winter weather sets in, many people are turning to hot chocolate as a comforting treat. This taste test provides helpful guidance for consumers looking to stock up on the best store-bought hot cocoa mix to get them through the chilly months ahead.

The details

Field set up a rigorous testing process, preparing each hot chocolate mix according to the package instructions using hot milk for a richer taste. He evaluated the mixes on sweetness, flavor, richness, and overall coziness. While higher-end brands like Ghirardelli and Starbucks offered a more sophisticated chocolate flavor, they lacked the full-bodied richness of other options. Ultimately, the classic Swiss Miss mix emerged victorious, earning praise for its well-balanced sweetness, robust chocolate taste, and thick, creamy texture that evoked nostalgic feelings from Field's childhood.

  • Field relocated from Los Angeles to Philadelphia in the midst of the city's coldest, snowiest winter in recent memory.

The players

Luke Field

A Buzzfeed writer who conducted an extensive taste test of popular store-bought hot chocolate mixes after moving from sunny Los Angeles to the frigid winters of Philadelphia.

Sassy

Field's dog, who was confused by the snow and ice for the first time in her life.

Field's parents

Allowed Field to temporarily stay with them as he navigated this transitional period, and also provided their colorful FiestaWare mugs for the hot chocolate taste test.

Swiss Miss

The hot chocolate mix brand that was crowned the overall champion in Field's taste test, praised for striking the perfect balance of sweetness and rich chocolate flavor.

Ghirardelli

The hot chocolate mix brand that was the runner-up in Field's taste test, offering a more sophisticated dark chocolate flavor profile.

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What they’re saying

“This hot cocoa mix is only available for a limited time at Trader Joe's, but if you're a fan of a well-balanced cocoa, I recommend grabbing it whenever you get the chance.”

— Luke Field, Buzzfeed writer (Buzzfeed)

“Should we be surprised that the company that has been perfecting hot cocoa mix since the 1950s has climbed to the top of the mountain? Am I experiencing some kind of flavor nostalgia for the hot cocoa I had as a child? Whatever it is, the second I tasted this hot cocoa, I thought, 'This is it.'”

— Luke Field, Buzzfeed writer (Buzzfeed)

What’s next

Field plans to stock up on the winning Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix to get him through the rest of the Philadelphia winter.

The takeaway

This taste test highlights how the classic Swiss Miss hot chocolate mix can still hold its own against more premium and innovative options, delivering a well-balanced flavor profile and rich, creamy texture that evokes nostalgic feelings of winter comfort.