The Chic Gadget You Need In Your Kitchen
Created in partnership with Hotel Chocolat
What is the Velvetiser™?
Designed in collaboration with Dualit, the Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser creates barista-grade chocolate drinks. Aesthetically designed to complement any kitchen (it comes in three colourways – copper, white and charcoal) and precision-engineered for effortless use, the Velvetiser features a sleek, double-skinned metal body, magnetic whisk, single soft-touch button, dual spout for left or right-handed pouring and a textured cast-iron handle. Whether you’re looking to make a mess-free hot chocolate, chocolate shake, chilled latte or alcoholic cocktail – such as a chocolate espresso martini – this is the machine to try if you’re looking to upgrade your at-home entertaining this year.
Using nothing but real grated chocolate flakes and your choice of dairy or plant milk, it brings these two ingredients together and transforms them into velvet-smooth drinking chocolate – hot or iced. Simply add milk, sprinkle in the single-serve sachet of flakes and two-and-a-half minutes later you’ll have velvety-smooth chocolate ready to serve at drinking temperature or poured over ice.
Which Flavours Are Available?
At Hotel Chocolat, cacao is the number one ingredient. The brand only uses nature-positive cacao and makes sure this is always the main ingredient – not sugar. The result is a drink with a satisfying cacao depth and silky froth.
The brand’s hot chocolate sachets contain just the right amount of grated chocolate flakes for an intensely chocolatey single serving. And because part of the joy of Hotel Chocolat is trying all the flavours, the Velvetiser library contains an ever-growing collection of classic and seasonal blends, including Salted Caramel, Hazelnut Praline and energising Mocha Lattes, all made with natural ingredients.
When Can You Use it?
The magic of the Velvetiser is that it can be used from your morning coffee through to a late-night cocktail. If you need a first-thing caffeine fix, reach for a mocha latte. Film nights and cosy Sundays are just the time for an indulgent hot chocolate – and entertaining just got easier thanks to the Velvetiser’s ability to create mixologist-worthy chocolate cocktails. We suggest purchasing a couple of bottles of Hotel Chocolat’s Salted Caramel Velvetised Chocolate Cream and Cacao Gin for the ultimate at-home treat.
Into puddings? The machine can also be used to create chocolate mousses and ice lollies. The Velvetiser can switch between all these functions, as the machine itself is quick and easy to clean. Just pop out the whisk and rinse the non-stick coating with water and you’re ready for the next cup.
What's new?
Hotel Chocolat is now offering the Velvetiser for its most competitive price yet. Customers who sign up for the free VIP.ME membership scheme will be able to purchase a Velvetiser for £69.95, which includes two matching podcups. Sign up to the rewards scheme here.
INSPIRED?
Here are four tasty recipes to try with your Velvetiser...
Irresistible Hot Chocolates
Take out your favourite mug.
Choose your Hotel Chocolat flavour.
Pour 220ml of milk into your Velvetiser — dairy, plant-based or water will all work just fine.
Sprinkle in your hot chocolate. If using a hot chocolate sachet, use the whole contents. For the larger pouches, you’ll want 35g (about six heaped teaspoons) of hot chocolate flakes.
Press the button, and in 2.5 minutes, you’ll have velvetised hot chocolate.
To enjoy hot chocolate like the ancient Mayans who first created it in its original 'xocolatl' form, choose a high cacao dark chocolate with a touch of chilli. Or for a sweeter creation, feel free to add lots of toppings, like whipped cream, chocolate batons and truffles to a white or milk hot chocolate base.
Luxury Milkshakes
Pour your milk into the Velvetiser. Empty some of the milk into a large glass, but ensure the whisk is still covered.
Pour the sachet contents into the Velvetiser. Press the button. While you wait, add 3-4 ice cubes to your glass of milk.
Once velvetised, pour the liquid chocolate onto the iced milk. Stir for one minute to ensure your beverage is evenly chilled. Sip and enjoy.
Silky Cocktails
Add the dark chocolate flakes, salted caramel vodka, coconut milk, orange triple sec liqueur, and chocolate bitters together in the Velvetiser. Press the button.
While you can enjoy this tipple warm, you can also add some ice to your cocktail glass before pouring in the contents from the Velvetiser (or leave your glass to chill in the fridge before using it). This will cool things down a notch. Pour your drink into your favourite glass and add a garnish of cocoa nibs.
Sumptuous Desserts
Add your cream or milk to the Velvetiser.
Pour your two hot chocolate sachets into the machine. Press the button.
Once it’s ready, pour the mixture into your glasses, bowls, or ramekins and place them in the fridge to set for a couple of hours.
Slice your strawberries and place them on your set mousse portions.
Your mousse is ready to enjoy.
Keen to upgrade your at-home chocolate drinks? Visit HotelChocolat.com.
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