Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: a worthwhile investment for true chocolate lovers

It was only a few months ago that Hotel Chocolat surprised fans by announcing it was finally upgrading its best-selling Velvetiser – after seven (very long) years. For hot chocolate lovers, this news was as sweet as it gets, and once the details emerged, it became clear just how big of an upgrade we were talking about.

The big news is that the All-New Velvetiser can now whip up cold drinking chocolate as well as hot, tapping perfectly into the soaring demand for iced drinks. With iced coffee, cold brews and chilled matcha taking over menus everywhere, it felt inevitable that Hotel Chocolat would jump on board – and it looks like it's already proving to be a hit.

I managed to get my hands on one not long after launch, and now the verdict is in.

Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: price and availability

The All-New Velvetiser comes in at £149.95/$179.95, and is available directly from Hotel Chocolat’s online store. There are three stylish finishes to choose from – Pebble, Pewter and Chalk – each sleek enough to blend seamlessly into most kitchens. You also get accessories included, like the Podcup for hot drinks and the Podglass for chilled, which really elevates the whole experience.

As for flavours, there’s no shortage of options. You’ve got classics like Salted Caramel and Hazelnut Praline, alongside more adventurous picks for cold chocolate like Cherry, Banana and even Crème Brûlée.

Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: design and features

At first glance, the design has a had a huge improvement. Inspired by the shape of a cacao pod, it now has a smooth, fluted body that looks modern and refined. I’ve been testing the Pewter version, and it it matches my other kitchen appliances beautifully.

The smaller details have had just as much attention. The new petal-shaped magnetic whisk, inspired by the cacao flower, creates a vortex effect that blends chocolate and milk more smoothly, whilst subtle ridges inside the chamber help achieve a creamier texture.

The handle is now made from solid ash wood, giving it a sturdier, more ergonomic feel and making it easier to pour from either side. Even the controls have been refreshed, and the previous version's single button has now been replaced by a sleek dial with colour-coded lights. It’s a subtle change, but it makes the Velvetiser feel far more up to date.

Of course, the most exciting change is to do with its function. As mentioned, the All-New Velvetiser now makes cold chocolate drinks as well as hot, which is still pretty rare in this market. This allows users to benefit from the machine all year long, and when you’re spending close to £150 or $200, that extra versatility makes it feel like much better value.

In hot mode, the All-new Velvetiser gently melts real chocolate to a consistent temperature for a smooth finish. In cold mode, and it stirs more slowly to create a lighter, frothy texture over ice.

Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: performance

I’ve had a brilliant time testing the Hotel Chocolat All-New Velvetiser, and the improvement over its predecessor was clear from the very first use. Not only does it look gorgeous on the counter, but the results are top-tier, I’d happily recommend it to anyone who takes their drinking chocolate seriously – whether hot or iced.

Before we dive in, it should be noted that neither the Velvetiser nor its components are dishwasher safe, so you’ll need to rinse it manually after use. Thankfully, cleaning is simple – I just popped the whisk inside, filled it to the line with cold water, added a couple of drops of washing-up liquid, pressed the button, and rinsed it once it was done.

With the original Velvetiser, our reviewer mentioned it sometimes needed a couple of goes to get completely clean, but this updated model felt much more effective – especially after making a thicker hot chocolate. Still, it’s a shame you can’t just throw the parts in the dishwasher, so that’s worth keeping in mind.

Image 1 of 3

As for making the actual chocolate, the process couldn’t be easier. Add your milk or a dairy-free alternative, tip in your sachet, turn the dial to your chosen setting, and press to start. It took about 2-3 minutes for the drink to be ready, and I was pleasantly surprised by how quiet it is. My only minor gripe is that it doesn’t beep or make any noise when it’s finished, so you need to keep an eye out for the LED light switching off to know it's done.

I also had a lot of fun working through the flavours, but the Banana cold chocolate ended up being my absolute favourite. I loved how the chocolate taste still comes through strongly, no matter which flavour you pick. I also tried adding a few ice cubes to the cold version, and it made it even more refreshing.

Overall, it’s a brilliant little machine. Yes, the lack of dishwasher-safe parts and the fairly high price are things to weigh up – but if you’re a chocolate fan, I think it’s more than worth it.

Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: verdict

The All-New Velvetiser is a big step up from Hotel Chocolat’s original, with a sleek new design, thoughtful upgrades like a petal-shaped whisk and ergonomic handle, and – most importantly – the ability to make both hot and cold drinking chocolate. It’s simple to use, surprisingly quiet, and delivers consistently indulgent results across a wide range of flavours .The lack of dishwasher-safe parts is a bit of a downside, and at £149.95/$179.95 it’s definitely an investment, but if you’re serious about your chocolate, it’s hard to go wrong.

Hotel Chocolat The All-New Velvetiser review: alternatives to consider

If you’re not fussed about cold chocolate and want to save a bit, the original Velvetiser is still available at select retailers. It doesn’t have the added functionality, but it’s a brilliant option for hot chocolate purists and comes in a little cheaper.

Another option worth looking at is the Dualit Cocoatiser. It also skips the cold drink function but comes in at a more affordable price point whilst still offering a sleek design and creamy hot chocolate results.