Aldi's Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser dupe is returning in time for Christmas – and it's just £19.99

The rumours are true: Aldi's version of the ever-popular Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser is back this year, at an even cheaper price guaranteed to make for a happy purse this Christmas season. At just £19.99, it'd almost be a crime not to pick one up this Sunday 10th December when it lands in stores.

Now that December has arrived on our doorstep, there's no better season to whip your hot chocolate station ideas into shape. After a long day at work and tending to our many responsibilities, you have to admit that there's nothing we love more than cosying up with a delicious mug of hot chocolate.

It's no secret that the iconic Hotel Chocolat Velvetiser has easily become a non-negotiable staple for many, helping us serve up luxurious hot chocolate in minutes. What's more, Hotel Chocolat has since released its Drinking Chocolate Advent Calendar dedicated to the appliance that's got us in the most festive of moods. The Velvetiser has since scored a glowing 4.5 stars from us in our review. However, at almost £100, it is pretty pricey.

So we'd be lying if we said we didn't have our eyes on Aldi's version, the Ambiano Milk Heater and Frother, considering it's being offered for a fraction of the Velvetiser's price – nearly £80 less!

Aldi's Velvetiser dupe

The supermarket is officially relaunching its Ambiano Milk Heater & Frother, which utilises a similar technology to the Velvetiser, whipping up hot chocolate via a milk frother mechanism.

It's a corded machine which looks similar to a kettle, and like the Velvetiser, froths and heats your milk and chocolate (be it flakes or powder) to create a perfectly creamy drink. What's more, it's got four options of hot and cold milk foam drinks and is even cheaper than last year's version, which retailed for £39.99.

Admittedly, it's not a lookalike dupe to the iconic Velvetiser, but employing a similar mechanism, we can afford to look past that given its affordable price point.

The Aldi version is double-walled stainless steel, has over-heating protection and an automatic switch off, and also comes with frothing and stirring attachments. Not bad for a budget kitchen idea, if you ask us.

Aldi's dupe has got some solid customer reviews too, with one shopper exclaiming, 'I am happy with [this] purchase, it does make a delicious chocolate drink. Excellent value compared to what's on the market.'

The Milk Heater and Frother will be available to purchase in Aldi stores from Sunday 10th December, while stocks last. If you're keen to nab one in time for Christmas, run don't walk! Trust us when we say you don't want to have to wait another year for it to return to the middle aisle.

Of course, Hotel Chocolat's The Velvetiser is still the premium choice and undoubtedly delivers brilliant quality if you're looking for a super easy way to make hot chocolate. 

If you're after the more premium option and can pay the extra, the Velvetiser is well worth the splurge. But if you only enjoy hot chocolate infrequently, and don't fancy spending that much on a new kitchen gadget, the Aldi option is a brilliant, more affordable alternative that won't do you wrong.