Chilling out for summer with Knoops latest frozen hot chocolate

Chiming with the trend of frozen drinks making a clear impact, chocolate beverage specialist Knoops deliver its first hot chocolate within the fast-rising category, writes Neill Barston.

The company has become a star retail performer for the segment since its debut store opened in East Sussex back in 2013, launching at a period when many stores within the market were struggling to make headway.

Its latest frozen hot chocolate will be making an appearance from the end of this week across its 27 locations, with early access to the drink having launched from last week as an exclusive incentive for users of its app. Notably, the company has already launched cold drinking chocolate, including iced and milkshake options. 

As the business explained, its fresh innovation comes as brands continue to invest in iced and frozen drinks to drive footfall during warmer months, with younger consumers increasingly seeking premium, customisable beverages that bridge the gap between coffee, dessert and indulgence-led treats.

Some 62% of branded coffee shop leaders identify iced drinks as the category with the highest growth potential and industry research shows UK iced coffee sales have grown at a 22% compound annual rate over the past five years, proving a demand for cold drinks is growing.

Developed by founder and Master Chocolate Sommelier Jens Knoop, the new range is crafted with real chocolate, not cocoa powder or artificial flavourings. Using Knoops’ signature chocolate buttons, each drink is blended with milk and ice to deliver a smooth, indulgent frozen chocolate experience. The range launches in two of the brand’s most popular chocolate percentages: 54% Dark Chocolate and 28% White Chocolate.

In true Knoops style, personalisation remains at the heart of the Frozen Hot Chocolate experience. Guests can choose from a selection of carefully crafted serves, including the 54% Dark Frozen Hot Chocolate, 54% Dark Frozen Chocolate Mocha and 54% Dark Frozen Hot Chocolate with Orange Zest, alongside the 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate, 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate with Lemon Zest and 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate with Matcha.

Jens Knoop, founder of Knoops, welcomed the development of the new range, which gets its formal release this Friday. He said:  “We’ve spent years perfecting the drinking chocolate experience and wanted to create a frozen serve that delivers the same quality, depth of flavour and customisation that customers expect from Knoops. Our real drinking chocolate makes all the difference: creating a drink that remains smooth, indulgent and refreshing whilst still showcasing the character of the chocolate itself.

“There’s significant potential for drinking frozen chocolate as consumers seek premium alternatives to traditional iced coffees, milkshakes and blended beverages during the summer months.”