Are Hot Cocoa And Hot Chocolate The Same Thing?

When the temperatures get cooler, that beloved iced coffee you depend on to start your day might not hit the same anymore. Whether you've been shoveling snow off your sidewalk or just simply peeked out of your window to see frost on the grass, winter time calls for a warm, cozy mug of something sweet and nostalgic. You open your pantry to find a pre-made mix of hot chocolate... or is it hot cocoa? The two names may have you wondering whether there is a difference between these two drinks, and if they are even considered interchangeable. 

While it's not a mortal sin to confuse these two beverages with one another, there actually are some significant differences between them to warrant having their own individual names. The key differences lie in the ingredients, texture, and flavor profile, so knowing what you're in the mood for can help you choose the right chocolatey beverage to warm you up.

Hot cocoa is probably what you're thinking of when you reminisce about snow days of your youth — a pre-mixed packet of goodness stirred into a mug of warm water or milk, and topped with mini marshmallows. Instant hot cocoa is said to have been invented by a Wisconsin native named Charles Sanna (the man behind Swiss Miss brand hot cocoa) in the 1950s, while hot chocolate can be categorized as a much older confection. But what really sets these two beverages apart is the ingredients. Hot cocoa typically consists of cocoa powder, sugar, powdered milk, and additives like corn syrup. Due to the added sugar, hot cocoa tends to be sweeter than hot chocolate, but also lighter. Stirring a powdery mix into the base of your drink doesn't change the texture of your milk or water much, so if you're craving something thick and creamy, hot cocoa probably isn't the best option.

There are a slew of popular hot cocoa mixes out there, and while many of them are marketed as "hot chocolate," they are technically hot cocoa. If you're wary of pre-made mixes, don't be. Hot cocoa is a delicious winter treat that will warm you up from the inside. Plus, there's the convenience factor. If you're craving a hot, chocolatey beverage, but are short on time or have impatient little ones, simply being able to microwave a mug of liquid, stir in the hot cocoa mix, and serve is a quick and easy way to satisfy any cravings.

A cacao pod-based drink was enjoyed by Aztec and Mayan cultures thousands of years ago, the true forerunner to all other cocoa confections. Though the Europeans made the sweeter, creamier, and, indeed, hotter version of the drink we know and love today, hot chocolate can trace its roots to this original whole bean liquid. Making it is a much more involved process than simply popping a mug in the microwave, opening a packet, and stirring. Hot chocolate is a decadent drink that involves real chocolate, typically in bar form and best made with a high-quality variety. Instead of using your microwave, you'll slowly heat a combination of milk and/or cream (or sweetened condensed milk if you want to get really indulgent) in a saucepan on your stovetop. From there, you'll get ready to add the star of the show: real chocolate.

You can use milk chocolate or dark chocolate based on your preferences, but you'll want to chop up a bar of your favorite variety before adding it to your pan of simmering liquids. Slowly stir until the chocolate has totally melted. The end product is a rich and velvety drink that is much thicker than a pre-made mix of hot cocoa, thanks to the addition of the chocolate bar's creamy cocoa butter. However, hot chocolate is also less sweet than hot cocoa since it does not call for any additional sugar than what is already in the chocolate. It will certainly be a little sweet but will also have that slight bitterness associated with real chocolate. Hot chocolate is sometimes referred to as "drinking chocolate" or "sipping chocolate" because it can be so creamy it feels more like a full-fledged dessert than a light drink. No matter which drink you prefer, both offer mugs of chocolatey goodness that makes a person of any age feel like a kid again.