A French Twist on the Festive Hot Chocolate

This winter, Knoops is bringing a taste of the French café to the high street with a brand-new Chocolat Chaud, made with 65% dark chocolate and single cream. Available in Knoops cafés across the country from 4 November, it heads up a seasonal menu of spiced, citrusy and fully loaded hot chocolates, each one designed to give busy families a reason to stop, warm up and catch their breath during the Christmas rush.

Chocolate made for drinking

Knoops was founded in Rye in 2013 by Jens Knoop, built on the simple idea that chocolate is made for drinking. The brand is known for its library of around 20 sustainably sourced chocolates, from a 28% white chocolate from Colombia to a 100% dark single-origin chocolate from the Philippines, and customers are encouraged to explore the range and tailor their drink to their own taste. Several of the in-store chocolates are also hand-flaked for the Knoops At Home range, so the experience can carry on at the kitchen table. Today, Knoops has more than 30 locations around the world.

The new favourite: Chocolat Chaud

Taking its cue from the thick, glossy hot chocolate served in French cafés, the new Chocolat Chaud pairs Knoops' 65% dark chocolate with single cream for a velvety drink that is meant to be savoured slowly rather than gulped down on the go. Whipped cream comes on the side, so you can spoon in as much or as little as you like, adding an even richer texture and a long, lingering finish. It is the most indulgent option on the menu and a lovely treat for the grown-ups once the little ones have had their fill of marshmallows.

A cup for every chocolate mood

Chocolate percentage sits at the heart of everything Knoops does, and the festive menu reflects that, ranging from smooth 34% milk chocolate through to the darker, more intense blends. Alongside the Chocolat Chaud, there are three other seasonal drinks to choose from.

The Winter Works is the one to order if more is more. Here, 34% milk hot chocolate is infused with warming festive spice, then finished with cream, chocolate flakes and marshmallow. It is generous, playful and exactly the kind of over-the-top treat that makes a winter outing feel like an occasion.

Jens' Chocolate Orange gives the classic Christmas combination a fresh spin. A 54% dark hot chocolate is brightened with freshly grated orange zest, so the rich chocolate base is lifted by a fragrant hit of citrus.

Festive Spice keeps things simple and cosy, blending the same smooth 34% milk chocolate with seasonal spice. It is a comforting choice for cold afternoons, wandering around Christmas markets or simply grabbing a quiet moment to yourself while the festive to-do list waits.

Whether you are refuelling halfway through a day of present shopping or thawing out after a frosty family walk, there is something on the menu to suit every taste.

The festive menu is available now at Knoops cafés nationwide. For more information, visit knoops.com or follow @knoopschocolate on Instagram.

Ollēdi © 2026

Reframe your inbox

Subscribe to our newsletter and never miss a story.

We care about your data in our privacy policy.