The ideal cup of hot cocoa is rich, smooth, and decadent, and if you’re looking for a brand of hot chocolate that fits this description, look no further than the Ghirardelli brand.

Per Chowhound’s extensive ranking of the most popular hot chocolate mixes, the smooth hot cocoa mix from the Ghirardelli chocolate company stood out among 12 other brands.

The mixes were tested based on their availability, how easily they mixed with water or milk, their texture, and the overall quality of their taste and chocolatey-ness.

Ghirardelli's offering satisfied these categories the most effectively among the 12 mixes, described as rich without being distracting and decadently creamy.

It's also lauded as the perfect middle ground between bitter and sweet, not leaning too far in either direction, thus deserving the title of the best instant hot chocolate mix.