Safeway carries hot cocoa mixes from Swiss Miss, Nestle, and their own Signature Select store brand. You'll find powder canisters, individual packets, and K-cup pods for single-serve coffee makers. Prices range from a few dollars for store-brand canisters to around $10 for premium or specialty options. Prices vary by location.

Types of hot cocoa products

Hot cocoa comes in several formats, each with trade-offs in convenience, flavor, and cost.

Powder canisters hold the most product and cost the least per serving. You scoop out what you need, which lets you adjust sweetness and richness. The 20-40 oz canisters from Swiss Miss and Nestle make dozens of servings. Good for households that drink hot cocoa regularly.

Individual packets are pre-measured for single servings. They cost more per cup than canisters but are convenient for offices, travel, or households where only one person drinks cocoa. No measuring required.

K-cup pods work with Keurig and compatible single-serve machines. Most convenient option, but expect a thinner result than powder mixed with hot milk. The machine uses water, so the cocoa tastes lighter. Some people add warm milk to the mug before brewing or stir in cream afterward.

Chocolate syrup is a different product entirely. Syrups like O Organics Chocolate Syrup mix instantly with milk for chocolate milk or hot chocolate. No dissolving powder required. The taste is different from cocoa mix, closer to chocolate milk than traditional hot cocoa.

Brands at Safeway

Swiss Miss

Swiss Miss dominates the hot cocoa aisle. It's been around since 1961 and remains the best-selling hot cocoa brand in the US. The flavor is familiar to most people, sweet and mild with a creamy texture.

Milk Chocolate is the standard variety. Available in individual packets (8-count boxes), large canisters (38 oz holds about 30 servings), and K-cup pods. This is what most people think of when they picture hot cocoa.

Milk Chocolate with Marshmallows includes dehydrated mini marshmallows that rehydrate in hot water. Available in packets and canisters. The marshmallows are small and add texture rather than dramatic meltiness.

Dark Chocolate has a deeper, less sweet flavor than milk chocolate. Comes in 8-count packets. Good for people who find regular Swiss Miss too sweet.

No Sugar Added uses artificial sweeteners instead of sugar. Around 60 calories per serving compared to 140+ for regular. Despite the name, it's not a low-calorie food. Check the nutrition label.

Reduced Calorie is the lower-calorie option, around 35-40 calories per serving. Uses artificial sweeteners and reduced dairy. Noticeably thinner texture than regular Swiss Miss.

Nestle

Nestle Rich Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa is the main competitor to Swiss Miss. Comes in a 27.7 oz canister with about 39 servings. Made with real cocoa from sustainably sourced beans through Nestle's Cocoa Plan.

The flavor is slightly richer and less sweet than Swiss Miss. Some people prefer it, some don't. At around $5-6 for the large canister, it's competitively priced.

Nestle is kosher, vegetarian, and contains no high fructose corn syrup. Each serving has about 80 calories.

Signature Select

Safeway's store brand offers similar products at lower prices. Available in:

• 20 oz canisters (regular and with marshmallows)

• 10-count individual packets

• 12-count K-cup pods

• European Cafe Style in regular and white chocolate varieties

The European Cafe Style is richer than standard cocoa mix. Worth trying if you want something closer to coffee shop hot chocolate without paying coffee shop prices.

Store brand cocoa tastes slightly less creamy than Swiss Miss but costs less. Good option if you go through a lot of hot cocoa or want to stock up.

Making hot cocoa taste better

The instructions on the package work fine, but a few adjustments make a noticeable difference.

Use milk instead of water. This is the biggest upgrade. Whole milk makes the creamiest result, but 2% works well. Even a 50/50 mix of milk and water improves the texture. Water-only cocoa tastes thin by comparison.

Heat the milk gently. Bring it just to steaming, not boiling. Scalded milk tastes different. Microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring between, or heat slowly on the stovetop.

Add a pinch of salt. Sounds strange, but salt enhances chocolate flavor and makes sweetness more pronounced. Just a tiny pinch.

Top with real marshmallows. Fresh marshmallows from a bag melt better and taste better than the dehydrated ones in mix packets. Mini marshmallows melt faster; large ones provide more texture.

Add whipped cream. Canned whipped cream works. Real whipped cream is better. Either adds richness that water-based cocoa lacks.

Try a dash of vanilla extract. Half a teaspoon adds depth to basic cocoa mix.

Add chocolate chips. Drop a tablespoon of chocolate chips into the mug before adding hot liquid. They melt and intensify the chocolate flavor.

K-cup tips

K-cup hot cocoa has a reputation for being watery. The machine forces hot water through the pod, and you can't substitute milk. A few tricks help:

Brew on the smallest cup setting. Larger settings dilute the flavor too much.

Add a splash of half-and-half or cream after brewing. This adds the richness that water-only brewing lacks.

Heat some milk separately and pour it in before brewing. Use less water since the mug is already partly full.

Drop chocolate chips in the mug before brewing. They melt from the hot liquid and add body.

The pods may leave sugary residue in your machine. Run a water-only brew cycle afterward occasionally to keep things clean.

Storing hot cocoa

Unopened canisters and packets store in the pantry for a year or more. Check the best-by date.

Once opened, seal canisters tightly and store in a cool, dry place. Moisture clumps the powder and can introduce off flavors. An opened canister stays good for several months but may lose some flavor intensity over time.

Don't refrigerate hot cocoa mix. Humidity in the fridge causes clumping.

K-cup pods are individually sealed and last until the best-by date as long as the seal isn't punctured.