Sunshine sips: How to serve Iced Chocolate at your summer garden party
25 Jun 2025
Always wanted to know how to make iced chocolate (true barista style)? The Velvetiser is your trusty companion…
Got a crowd of thirsty guests at your garden party? Delight them with a drink option that never feels like an afterthought: Iced chocolate. Silky smooth and oh-so-creamy, this blissful summer cooler has the power to turn any garden gathering into something a little more decadent.
Sure, we could all just crack open a can of something fizzy and call it a day — but where’s the magic in that? At Hotel Chocolat, we believe your summer soirée deserves more than just basic beverages. So, instead of settling for the same old drinks, here’s how to prepare and serve exceptional iced chocolate that’ll have everyone asking for seconds (and maybe thirds).

Why iced chocolate is the ultimate summer chocolate drink
When it comes to summer drinks, we’re never ones to turn down a cold, chocolatey concoction, especially if it just so happens to be one of our ultra-thick choc shakes. But let’s be honest, your average run-of-the-mill chocolate milkshake tends to lack a certain sophistication. There are no layered notes of fragrant cacao or creamy depth; more often than not, it’s all sugar and little soul. But iced chocolate? That’s a celebration of real chocolate — stirred, sipped, and savoured the way grown-ups do it best.
Crafted with real chocolate, not powder or syrup, iced chocolate delivers a satisfyingly sophisticated sip that cools you down just when you need it. Whether you’re lounging in the shade with friends or mingling beside the rose bushes, this is the type of summer chocolate drink that adds elegance to every occasion.

How to make iced chocolate for your garden party
So, how do you prepare this glorious concoction, we hear you cry?
With your Velvetiser at the ready and a summer garden to impress, here’s how to achieve iced chocolate perfection:
Step 1: Set the scene
Add around 100 ml of chilled milk to a glass, followed by a generous handful of ice. Let it rest and cool while you move on to the star of the show…
Step 2: Time to Velvetise
Pour 120ml of milk (we recommend dairy or barista-style plant milk for the creamiest finish) into your Velvetiser, along with one of our single-serve sachets of drinking chocolate. Press the button and let it whisk everything until it melts into a smooth, creamy mixture.
Step 3: Assemble and admire
Slowly pour your Velvetised chocolate into the waiting glass of iced milk. Watch as the two mingle and swirl, then give it a gentle stir, and it’s ready to serve.
Hosting a crowd? Make things even more effortless by preparing ahead. Velvetise in small batches and pour into chilled jugs — you can do a few different flavours to keep things interesting. Keep them cool in the fridge with lids or wraps, then give them a good stir before serving over fresh ice.
Summer garden party drink ideas: stylish ways to serve iced chocolate
What’s the real beauty of creating iced chocolate with hot chocolate flakes? The possibilities. With our array of imaginative hot chocolate blends, you can transform your garden drinks menu into something guests will be talking about long after the sun sets.
Here are some timeless summer options that you can serve in style:
Ready for a flavour no one will see coming?
Use our Limited Edition Banoffee Pie Hot Chocolate Sachets to create a dreamy banana cooler. This sumptuous hot chocolate blend is made with real banana and caramel milk chocolate, giving you pure dessert-in-a-glass. Serve tall in clear glasses to show off those golden tones, then top with a cloud of whipped cream, a dusting of cinnamon, and a flourish of flaked chocolate. Want to add more drama? Coat the rim of your glass in chocolate flakes and pop in a chic gold straw.
After a sip that’s ultra-cool?
Use our Mint Hot Chocolate Sachets to create something refreshingly bold. Crafted from rich 70% dark chocolate and ice-cool Tasmanian peppermint, this chocolatey pick is a breath of fresh mint-scented air. Serve in low tumblers, topped with a swirl of cream, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, and a sprig of fresh mint for that extra flourish.

Feeling something soft and soothing?
Use our Vanilla White Hot Chocolate Sachets to whip up a creamy iced blend with mellow charm. Made with 36% cocoa butter white chocolate, it’s smooth, silky, and effortlessly elegant. Serve over ice in clear glassware with a vanilla pod or single edible flower. Or, for a dessert-worthy twist, top with whipped cream, a raspberry drizzle, and a scattering of white chocolate curls.
Want a classic with a modern edge?
Use our 70% Classic Hot Chocolate Sachets to create a vegan-friendly* iced chocolate that’s rich, refined, and deeply satisfying. Pair with almond or oat milk, pour over coconut ice cubes for a subtle tropical twist, or stir in a shot of espresso for a mocha-style cooler. Finish with a slice of orange on the rim for a sunny splash of citrus.
Go bold and create your own blend, or let your guests pick their flavour adventure. Whatever ends up on the menu, these iced chocolate showstoppers are the ultimate way to toast to summer.
*We believe our dark and Nutmilk chocolate is suitable for vegans; however, as it is made in the same environment as our milk chocolate, we cannot guarantee it is free from milk.
Add a splash of something a little stronger…
Whether you use Salted Caramel drinking chocolate or our barista-style Caffè Latte, these summer coolers satisfy just as they are. But if you want to add a splash of alcohol, our Velvetised Creams work beautifully.
Combine our punchy Espresso Martini Velvetised Cream with a Saint Lucian Island Growers 50% Milk sachet for something silky, smoky, and smooth. Created by Saint Lucian Island Growers as part of our gentle farming initiative, these single-origin chocolate sachets bring bold, bean-to-bar brilliance, plus benefits for local farmers.
How about a touch of summer tang? Mix our satisfying Salted Caramel Velvetised Cream with our Supermilk Orange Hot Chocolate for a cacao-kissed sunset in a glass. Adding ice unlocks a whole new dimension — think zesty, creamy, and impossibly refreshing.
After something simple yet sumptuous? Pair Vanilla White Hot Chocolate with a splash of our Chocolate Velvetised Cream and transport your guests to paradise. When the creamy, floral notes of the vanilla meet the richness of cacao and vodka, you get a dessert-worthy delight that lingers on the palate. Add a shaving of coconut around the rim of the glass for that final tropical touch.
Serving Tip: When serving your Iced Chocolate with alcohol, consider freezing orange zest, coffee beans, or chocolate shavings into your ice cubes for an extra sensory surprise. Then, present with stylish reusable straws or cocktail stirrers — think gold, copper, or eco-friendly bamboo — for a playful, party-ready finish.
Rich, refreshing, refined: Iced Chocolate from Hotel Chocolat
Whether you’re hosting an outdoor dinner party under twinkling lights or indulging in a sun-drenched afternoon with friends, make every summer garden party a standout with our satisfying chocolate treats and elegant summer recipes. While you’re here, don’t forget to explore our latest summer chocolate boxes. From our cheerful Summer Desserts H-Box and chic Summer Cocktails selection to our dinky Ice Cream Swirls that’ll impress any soft-serve admirer, add a little excitement to every summer get-together with Hotel Chocolat.