As we begin to exit the colder winter months, it is time to start brainstorming new product launches for winter 2025 & 2026. Hot Chocolate is the perfect opportunity to experiment with flavours, take a look at some of the latest trends in hot chocolate and how Plant-Ex can help you bring these ideas to life:
Health-Conscious Flavours
‘Mindful Indulgence’ is trending amongst shoppers. This refers to the shift in consumers’ preferences as they become more health-conscious and seek alternatives to indulgent treats[1]. Incorporating healthier flavours offers a new market opportunity; the majority of hot chocolate drinkers are younger consumers, whereas these flavours appeal to a more mature market.
Our Flavour Suggestions: We recommend pairing the following Plant-Ex flavours with a rich dark hot chocolate base:
- Fig
- Dates
- Black Cherry
- Plum
- Ginger
- Coconut
Our Sweetness Modulators: Our sweet enhancer Sweetness Modulators are a solution for sugar reduction as they increase the perceived sweetness without the need to add extra sugar.
Pink Hot Chocolate
Pink is and always will be a staple colour; it embraces the hyper-feminine aesthetic, a.k.a. barbiecore’. Pink Hot Chocolate products are perfect for your digital media marketing strategy as they encourage earned media. This is when consumers share your product without being offered anything in exchange. In this case, the fun aesthetic encourages the free promotion. Pink Hot Chocolates are an ideal Limited Edition Valentine’s launch.
Our Flavour Suggestions: We recommend pairing the following Plant-Ex flavours with a white hot chocolate base:
- Raspberry
- Strawberry
- Cherry
- Cranberry
- Rose
Our Colour Solution: Red Beet
High Protein Hot Chocolate
In line with consumers choosing better-for-you beverage options, Mintel have identified protein as a stand-out mainstream opportunity for hot chocolates[2]. Chocolate flavouring is better suited to a High Protein Hot Chocolate than cocoa powder, as it is a cheaper ingredient and requires less sugar. Nearly 3 in 5 consumers are choosing low sugar products[3]. Click here to read more about sports nutrition.
Our Flavour Suggestions:
- New York Cheesecake
- White Chocolate
- Sated Caramel
- Cookies & Cream
- Chocolate Orange
- Sticky Toffee Pudding
Our Sweetness Modulator: This trend is another perfect opportunity to put our sweetness modulators into application, reducing the sugar content of the beverage.
Limited Edition/Seasonal Hot Chocolate
Research shows that 49%of consumers are more likely to purchase Limited Edition Products[4]. Take advantage of this statistic in your hot chocolate new product launches. Think about Easter flavours such as hot cross bun or simnel cake for example.
Christmas time is another great opportunity as hot Chocolate is 1 in 3 consumers’ favourite winter beverage[5], making it the perfect season for limited-edition releases. Making a hot chocolate on a winter evening can be made into more of an indulgent experience. This is the perfect opportunity for hot chocolate bombs with fun festive designs e.g. snowman, bauble, penguin, Rudolph or Christmas pudding-themed.
Our Flavour Suggestions:
- Mince Pie
- Yule Log
- Black Forest Gateau
- Billionaire Shortbread
- Irish Cream
Our specialists are happy to collaborate with you to bring your next launch to life. Contact us today: sales@plant-ex.com
Sources:
(1) Barry Callebaut (2024) Top Chocolate Trends for 2024 and beyond
(2) Mintel (2023) UK Tea and Other Hot Drinks Market Report 2023
(3) Mintel (2021) The low-sugar destiny of health
(4) Sources: Statista (2018) Share of online shoppers worldwide that are more likely to purchase from a brand or retailer that offers the following services as of August 2018
(5) YouGov (2020) Hot Chocolate is America’s favourite holiday beverage
(6) Sanders/One Poll (2023) The Top 5 Flavours of the Year
