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Colour Your Creations: Van Houten in Cocktails, Mocktails & More

Posted: 26 Sep 2025

Van Houten – Keylink WP

From hot chocolates that hug the soul to cocktails that steal the show, this blog is your guide to unlocking the creative power of Van Houten’s five stunning chocolate colours – with tips, ideas, and a little chocolate history sprinkled in for good measure.

By Kiera Guinnane

26 September 2025

Van Houten: Two Centuries of Chocolate Creativity

When you think of chocolate, luxury, and innovation, Van Houten is right there at the top. Nearly 200 years of passion have taken this iconic brand from inventing Belgium cocoa powder to becoming a must-have for chocolatiers, bartenders, and chefs across the globe.

Whether you run a café, handcraft artisan truffles, or mix show-stopping cocktails, Van Houten gives you the consistent results professionals need – and with five stunning chocolate colours, your creative options are endless.

A Taste of History

It all began in the Netherlands in 1828, when Coenraad Van Houten invented the cocoa press – a game-changer that separated cocoa butter from cocoa liquor, making cocoa powder possible for the first time.

Today, Van Houten is part of Barry Callebaut, one of the world’s leading chocolate and cocoa manufacturers. That means every product comes with trusted sourcing, traceability, and sustainable farming through the Cocoa Horizons Foundation.

The Five Colours of Van Houten Chocolate

Think of these as your creative palette, each with its own personality and purpose:

Dark Chocolate – Rich, bold, and aromatic. Ideal for intense ganaches or sophisticated hot drinks.
Milk Chocolate – Creamy, balanced, and perfect for comforting classics.
White Chocolate – Smooth and sweet – the ultimate blank canvas for flavours and colours.
Ruby Chocolate – Naturally pink with fruity, tangy notes. Eye-catching and on-trend.
Gold Chocolate – Caramelised white chocolate with warm, toffee-like indulgence.

(Fun fact: Ruby chocolate is made from ruby cocoa beans – no added colours or fruit flavourings!)

Van Houten in Cocktails: Where Chocolate Meets Mixology

Behind the bar, Van Houten is pure magic. Its ground chocolate powders dissolve smoothly into alcoholic drinks, adding depth, richness, and that extra “wow” factor.

Signature Hot & Cold Chocolate Drinks

From coffee trucks to luxury hotels, Van Houten helps you keep hot chocolate classics and chilled chocolate drinks consistently delicious.

See below a variety of hot and cold recipes:

For more drink recipes containing Van Houten click here.

Crafting Ganache with Van Houten

Van Houten’s ground chocolate makes beautifully smooth ganache that sets perfectly and carries flavour brilliantly.

How to make it:

Pour 50ml of hot water into a plastic bowl.
Add 100g of your favourite Van Houten Ground Chocolate and stir gently.
Cover and refrigerate for 12 hours.
Let it sit at room temperature for 30–60 mins.
Blend with a spatula.
Pour into a squeeze bottle and get creative!

Top tips:

Use Dark or Milk for a classic touch.
Try Gold or Ruby for a modern twist.
Infuse White chocolate with matcha, citrus, or liqueurs for something unique.

Van Houten isn’t just chocolate; it’s your creative toolkit for drinks, desserts, and everything in between. With roots in innovation and an eye on the future, it invites you to explore chocolate in every form: hot, cold, sippable, spoonable… even in a cocktail glass.