Costa hot chocolate is vegan. However, you will find many conflicting views about the drink. Some say that costa hot chocolate is 100% vegan, while others say it is not. Costa staff have told many people that hot chocolate isn’t vegan, but this is a cross-contamination warning.
Even the restaurant staff is not wrong when they say this. Why? Because Costa hot chocolate is prepared in the same area where non-vegan items are made. The image below, taken from Costa UK’s official website, clearly indicates that Costa’s hot chocolate is 100% vegan. You can see a “C” written under the dairy products column. It means that there is a cross-contamination risk. All other ingredients in hot chocolate are suitable for vegans.
Is Costa Hot Chocolate Powder Vegan?
Yes and no. Costa Coffee’s official Twitter handle also confirmed this by saying that their hot chocolate powder does not contain anything from animal origins; there is a high risk of cross-contamination with milk at the point of production. This is why you see Costa hot chocolate powder as unsuitable for vegans.
The decision comes down to your personal preferences. Are you willing to take the risk for Costa hot chocolate powder?
Is Costa Ruby Hot Chocolate Vegan?
No. Costa Ruby hot chocolate is not vegan. You cannot order it vegan. However, you can have plenty of other vegan drinks at Costa.
Is Costa Black Forest Hot Chocolate Vegan?
The original recipe is not vegan. However, Costa’s Twitter account says it can be made vegan, ordering it soya without cream and chocolate curls. Please note that this tweet is from 2017. You must check the ingredients and ask the restaurant staff to make it vegan.
Is Costa White Hot Chocolate Vegan?
No. It is not vegan. Costa white hot chocolate contains milk or milk products. You can go for Costa hot chocolate by ordering it with plant-based milk.
Is Costa Mocha Vegan?
Yes. It is vegan but comes with a cross-contamination warning, just like Costa Hot Chocolate.
What Plant-Based Milks are available at Costa?
You can have soya, almond, oat, and coconut milk as an alternative to dairy milk.
What can a vegetarian eat at Costa?
Vegetarians consume eggs, milk, honey, and other byproducts that don’t involve animal killing. They don’t eat meat. Therefore, they can have a variety of options at Costa. All Costa drinks are vegetarian. The vegetarian food options at Costa are also exhaustive, with over 70 food options for vegetarians.
Is Sugar at Costa Vegan?
Vegans are particularly concerned about the type of sugar a restaurant use. Refined sugar raises the issue of bone char. Costa doesn’t use sugar made using bone char (it is 100% vegan) because the use of bone char is highly regulated in Europe.
Eating Vegan at Costa
Costa is heaven for vegans. It offers many drinks and lunch options that are 100% vegan and dairy-free. The best thing about Costa is its ease of ordering vegan food on its website. You can select your preferences with one click.
- V: Vegetarian
- VE: Vegan
- GF: Gluten Free
- Dairy Free
- Nut Free
- Peanut Free
- Soy Free
Vegan Drinks at Costa
There are a handful of vegan drink options at Costa. You can order one from the following.
- Espresso
- Cortado
- Ristretto
- Espresso Macchiato
- Cappuccino
- Latte
- Vanilla Latte
- Mocha (cross-contamination risk)
- Hot Chocolate (cross-contamination risk)
- Caramel Hot Chocolate (cross-contamination risk)
- White Café Crema
- Flat White
- Black Americano
- White Americano
- Chai Latte
- Milk Babyccino
- Mango & Passion Fruit Cooler
- Strawberry & Lime Cooler
- Red Summer Berries Fruit Cooler
- Iced Flavored Oat Drink
- Iced Black Americano
- Iced White Americano
- Iced Cappuccino
- Iced Latte
- Iced Vanilla Latte
- Iced Chocolate (cross-contamination risk)
- Iced Mocha (cross-contamination risk)
- English Breakfast Tea
- Decaffeinated Tea
- Earl Grey Tea
- Berry Infusion
- Mint Infusion
- Green Tea
Vegan Foods at Costa
- M&S Food Plant Kitchen No Turkey Feast Sandwich
- Vegan Gluten Free Mince Tart
- Vegan P’gs & Blankets Stonebaked Panini
- Vegan Saus’ge Bap
- Vegan Smoky Ham & Cheeze Toastie
- Fruity Flapjack
- Pick ‘n’ Mix
Please note that all these items may not be available at your neighborhood branch. It is best to call before visiting.
Important: Costa changes its menu from time to time. It also introduces seasonal items (drinks and foods) that may or may not be vegan. Hence, you must check the ingredients before ordering a seasonal item.
