Hotel Chocolat’s flavoured liqueurs come in many flavours (Image: Narin Flanders)
Christmas is the ideal season for indulging in creamy liqueur drinks, whether enjoyed neat or mixed into cocktails. often takes centre stage during this festive period as supermarkets offer discounts, while Amazon notably has cut the price of all flavours to . However, chocolate lovers can now explore alternatives to the classic cream liqueur, thanks to who has introduced a broad selection of vodka-based chocolate cream flavours.
The UK-based chocolate experts have gained recognition for their top-selling , a consistent Christmas hit that produces velvety smooth hot chocolates, but those who prefer their sweet treats with a bit more punch, can now enjoy Velvetised Chocolate Cream liqueurs featuring flavours from traditional chocolate to salted caramel, mint and beyond – and they’ve all been in Black Friday Week deals.
As a person who has been hoarding for Black Friday and has reviewed various types of Irish creams and liqueurs over the years, I was more than happy to sample four of the most popular Hotel Chocolat alternatives, which are available both from the brand direct and resellers in stores and online as well as Amazon.
Firstly, don’t be fooled by the milkshake-like appearance of the e. Each flavour packs a vodka-infused punch behind its creamy facade, with an alcohol content of 12% ABV, reports . Also, remember to give them a good shake before pouring to enhance their velvety texture – I learned this the hard way with the Salted Caramel version.
Hotel Chocolat Chocolate Velvetised Cream – now £17.10 (26% off)
Starting with the seemed like a logical first step, given its straightforward flavour profile. Hotel Chocolat is known for its high-quality cacao and ingredients, so there’s no room for error here – not that there needs to be.
The rich, delicious chocolate flavour dominates, making taste more like chocolate than cream or vodka. This means a little goes a long way – if you’re someone who can devour a whole box of chocolates in one sitting, this is an ideal way to satisfy your chocolate cravings without overindulging.
A single serving over ice is akin to an adult version of chocolate milk, boasting a surprisingly complex depth of flavour and a richness that means you’d struggle to drink more than a glass at a time. For some it might feel a bit sickly – I didn’t mind it but preferred the lighter flavours – but for chocoholics this is the perfect cream liqueur.
Hotel Chocolat Salted Caramel Velvetised Cream – now £19 (17% off)
If you have a sweet tooth then this is definitely to try. As soon as you open the bottle you can smell the sweetness and both the scent and the taste has an echo of Caramac about it that is comforting and delicious.
As with all the velvetised creams, it’s really noticeable that while you can taste the alcohol it’s not got the bitter kick that I’ve had from some flavoured vodkas. It’s smooth and delicious although definitely sweeter than perhaps you’d expect from a salted caramel.
Hotel Chocolat Mint Chocolate Velvetised Cream – now £19 (17% off)
I am very partial to the flavour of mint, second only to a zesty ginger it’s a culinary cheat code to get me choosing a drink or meal in a restaurant. But with that depth of love comes a strong opinion: For me, the best mint is zingy, with an almost alpine coolness to it that cuts through sweetness. The worst mint tastes like toothpaste and can never be forgiven – I still think bitterly about a much-anticipated ice cream eaten on holiday aged eight that was more Colgate than Cornetto.
Thankfully the is basically dream mint for afficionados. Not sweet, with an undertone of menthol a lovely but surprisingly smooth kick. It’s basically liquid After Eight with oomph and after a couple of sips I was pretty sure I’d found my favourite from the range. Little did I know.
Hotel Chocolat Espresso Martini Velvetised Cream – now £17.10 (26% off)
As a devoted fan of , I genuinely didn’t anticipate adding anything new to my festive drinks collection this year. However, the has proven to be an exceptional find, and I’ve already purchased a second bottle to share with guests over the holiday season.
Out of all the flavours I sampled, this one had the most enticing aroma. It smells like coffee and has a real wow factor. The taste is akin to tiramisu in a glass – creamy, slightly boozy, and with a coffee kick that fills your nostrils while delighting your tastebuds.
With a plethora of on offer this Christmas, there’s something to suit everyone’s tastes. But for me, this glass of pure joy is absolutely the flavour of choice. I would forego 95% of desserts for this. It’s liquid perfection.
If you’re seeking a Baileys alternative this Christmas, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetised Cream range is a fantastic option, with the standing out as a classic. At directly from Hotel Chocolat the liqueurs might be a little overpriced for what they are – they definitely fall into the ‘you’d give it as a gift but wait for an offer to buy for yourself.’ But with , taking them down to as little as £17.10 for Black Friday season now is absolutely the time to give it a go.
have lots of other alcohol deals for fans of both which is reduced to as little as £10 and also spirits like single malt whiskeys, with a reduced by 47% to £25.50.
Meanwhile if you’re looking for vintage, limited edition and premium alcohol gifts, is also reducing prices on all kinds of tipples for Black Friday.