It just doesn’t feel like winter unless you pop into a cafe to order a creamy, sweet cup of hot cocoa to chase away the cold.
While many places use a hot chocolate mix that contains dairy, there are a number of cafes where you can order a nice cup of vegan hot cocoa with soy, almond, coconut, or oat milk. One location even offers vegan whipped cream.
7 Places You Can Order Vegan Hot Cocoa
Ready to indulge? Here are our top picks for coffee shops that offer dairy-free hot chocolate.
1. Starbucks
Starbucks hot chocolate can be made vegan! While the standard order comes with dairy milk and whipped cream, you can swap it for plant-based options like soy, coconut, and almond – and in Europe, you can even choose oat.
The coffee chain uses mocha sauce to make the drink, which unlike the white mocha sauce, is suitable for vegans. Ask your barista for a pump or two of peppermint syrup for a classic flavor combo.
2. Pret a Manger
Pret a Manger knows a thing or two about catering to the demand for vegan food – and this year, the chain added a bevy of new beverages to the menu, including multiple dairy-free options. In the UK and Europe, Pret offers a rice-coconut milk option.
3. Peet’s Coffee
Peet’s Coffee is on top of its vegan options, including soy and almond milk. Plenty of its espresso and tea drinks are vegan-friendly vegan – including hot chocolate! It even offers vegan whipped cream as a topping – hello!
4. Leon
Leon’s hot chocolate is made from Montezuma chocolate flakes and milk – so just ask for coconut or oat milk when you place your order! If you’re in the mood for something a little richer, order the Better Brownie Mocha with dairy-free oat milk. It combines Montezuma chocolate with orange and espresso.
5. Costa
You can get your vegan hot chocolate fix on at Costa. All you need to do is swap dairy milk for soy or almond. All of the chain’s syrups, except for marshmallow and caramel fudge, are vegan-friendly so enjoy getting creative with flavors. Don’t forget to get a vegan cookie.
6. Caffè Nero
Caffè Nero’s hot chocolate can be made deliciously dairy-free by asking your barista for soya, coconut, or almond milk and leaving off the whipped cream. The chain also has plenty of vegan options to munch on, like sandwiches and some sweet treats.
7. Whole Foods Market/Allegro
You can order plenty of dairy-free beverages from Whole Foods Market’s Allegro espresso counter and hot chocolate is included. A Whole Foods representative confirmed with LIVEKINDLY that plant-based milk can be swapped for dairy. But, because locations may be using a different mix, it’s best to ask your barista about the ingredients before placing an order.
