Cosy relaxation in a mug — or is it? Here’s all you need to know about hot chocolate and caffeine

The nation’s favourite hot drinks have a bit of a reputation for containing a lot of caffeine. Coffee’s role as a morning pick-me-up is well known, and both black and green tea contain caffeine, too. But how does the last member of the holy trinity of hot drinks compare, caffeine-wise: does hot chocolate have caffeine?

We’ll be the first ones to advocate for winding down in the evening with a hot chocolate, but how much caffeine is really in your favourite cup of cocoa?

There’s nothing better when you need some energy in a warm mug, but for some people, caffeine can inhibit sleep, cause jitters, or even worsen symptoms of anxiety. Whether you’re trying to cut down on your caffeine intake or you just want to know more about what’s in your favourite drink, here’s everything you need to know about the caffeine in hot chocolate.

Does hot chocolate have caffeine?

So, the big question: does hot chocolate have caffeine? Well, the amount of caffeine in hot chocolate varies depending on cacao content and type of hot chocolate, but as a rule of thumb — yes, hot chocolate does have caffeine. Generally, the caffeine content isn’t that high, so unless you’re extremely sensitive to caffeine, you probably won’t notice it.

The caffeine in hot chocolate comes from the cacao solids present in the mix — as it turns out, cacao beans contain caffeine. The more you know! This means that your favourite bar of chocolate also likely contains small amounts of caffeine. Chocolate also contains an alkaloid called theobromine, which gives chocolate its bitter flavour and makes you more alert.

So, how does this compare to tea and coffee? Read our article on caffeine in hot drinks to see how they measure up.

Which type of hot chocolate contains more caffeine?

On the lower end, powder hot chocolate contains a very small amount of caffeine — about 5mg for a cup. On the other hand, hot chocolate made with real chocolate flakes contains more caffeine because it contains more real chocolate. It’s smoother and richer like real chocolate but has a higher caffeine content to show for it.

Because the amount of caffeine is based on the cacao bean content, higher cacao chocolate contains more caffeine, with dark chocolate containing the highest amount.

Note: because cacao solids (AKA cacao beans) are where the caffeine comes from, white chocolate is entirely caffeine-free. It’s made from cacao butter rather than solids. Good news for white chocolate fans!

Is it possible to reduce the caffeine in hot chocolate?

If decaf coffee can exist, how about decaf hot chocolate? Right now, the answer is no. Caffeine occurs naturally in cacao solids and can’t be removed, meaning that any chocolate containing cacao solids (i.e. dark and milk) will also contain caffeine. But luckily, the caffeine content in hot chocolate isn’t particularly high in the first place.

If you’re dead-set on taking your hot drinks without the extra energy, though, there are a few options.

Which hot drinks don’t have caffeine?

If you’re super sensitive to caffeine and even a little bit is too much, it might be good to consider caffeine-free alternatives. But fret not! There’s no shortage of options.

Herbal or fruit tea

For tea lovers, herbal tea is a good caffeine-free alternative to black, green, or oolong tea, which usually contains caffeine. Herbal teas aren’t true teas, but are actually infusions of various spices, herbs, and other plants, so caffeine content will depend on the ingredients used. And if you have your heart set on ‘proper’ tea, then decaf is also an option.

White hot chocolate

Hot chocolate may contain caffeine, but there is one solution to the rescue. As mentioned above, white chocolate contains cacao butter rather than cacao solids, meaning it’s naturally caffeine-free. White chocolate may not be everyone’s first image when they picture a creamy cuppa, but we think it’s just as satisfying as milk or dark chocolate.

With 36% cacao butter and hints of Madagascan vanilla, our Vanilla White Hot Chocolate is just the ticket if you’re looking for a delicious mug of zero-caffeine hot chocolate. For maximum relaxation factor, why not whip up your chocolate of choice with the Velvetiser? Heavenly hot chocolate at the press of a button is quite possibly the best way we can think of to enjoy it.

Decaf coffee

Decaffeinated (or decaf) coffee does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s the perfect option for fans of coffee’s flavour who want to avoid its high caffeine content. Decaf coffee may have a reputation for sacrificing flavour to remove the caffeine, but it doesn’t have to be that way. Good decaf coffee is available at many coffee shops, or if you’d rather enjoy barista-style coffee at home, our popular The One coffee is also available in decaf version.

Fancy a cuppa?

So, is hot chocolate a good choice for a calming bedtime drink? We think you shouldn’t count it out just yet, but to avoid the risk of messing with your beauty sleep, we recommend choosing a low-sugar hot chocolate to keep that sugar rush at bay. You may also benefit from drinking it earlier in the evening. Why not explore our delectable hot chocolate range?