British chocolate drinks specialist, Knoops is bolstering its position in the fast-growing frozen beverages market with the launch of the UK’s first dedicated frozen hot chocolate, as the brand looks to capitalise on rising consumer demand for premium cold drinks and year-round chocolate occasions.
Available across all 27 Knoops stores from 19 June, with exclusive early access for app users from 11 June, the launch adds to the brand’s hugely popular cold drinking chocolate range which already includes iced and milkshake options, and will serve to further extend Knoops’ popularity beyond the traditional hot chocolate drinking autumn and winter months.
Knoops’ latest 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. 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.
Each drink can be further tailored with a choice of dairy or plant-based milk, as well as additional mix-ins from the wider Knoops menu, allowing customers to create a frozen chocolate that’s uniquely their own.
Jens Knoop, founder of Knoops, 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.”
Prices for the new drink are:
- 54% Dark Frozen Hot Chocolate – £5.80 (small) £7.00 (regular)
- 54% Dark Frozen Chocolate Mocha – £6.30 (small) / £7.50 (regular)
- 54% Dark Frozen Hot Chocolate + Orange Zest – £6.30 (small) / 7.50% (regular)
- 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate – £5.60 (small) / £6.80 (regular)
- 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate + Lemon Zest – £6.10 (small) / £7.30 (regular)
- 28% White Frozen Hot Chocolate + Matcha – £6.50 (small) / £7.70 (regular)
The Frozen Hot Chocolate range will be available at all Knoops locations nationwide from 19 June.
