HorlicksMalt & Health Drink Mixes

Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix

Published · Updated

Summary

Horlicks Chocolate Delight is a malted barley and wheat drink powder fortified with vitamins and minerals, stirred into milk or water. It scores [F]BB3: nutrition holds up mainly because of the added vitamins and minerals, ingredients lose a little for flavouring, caramel colour and emulsifier, and risk is moderate because of the sugar. Best as an occasional glass, with the sugar counted in.

Full summary

Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix

Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix scores [F]BB3 on CleanPlate: nutrition B, ingredients B, load risk 3.

The [F] flag means added vitamins or minerals lift its nutrition grade.

33%51%

Tap a slice or a name to see what it is made of.

Share of calories, per 100 g of powder

  • Protein: 7 g per 100 g of powder, 8% of the calories.
  • Carbs (not counting sugars and fibre): 30 g per 100 g of powder, 33% of the calories.
  • Sugars: 46 g per 100 g of powder, 51% of the calories, of which 36 g is added.
  • Fat: 2 g per 100 g of powder, 5% of the calories, of which 2 g is saturated.
  • Fibre: 5 g per 100 g of powder, 3% of the calories (fibre counts at 2 kcal per gram).
Added sugar36 g
Saturated fat2 g
Sodium350 mg

The tick is the “high” line

Load risk is scored on the product as made (mixed as the pack directs), not on the dry powder.

Watch
High added sugar (36g per 100g)
In its favour
Source of fibre
On the pack
5 claims checked: 1 is partly true, 4 need care

Last reviewed October 23, 2026

Ingredients, decoded

14 listed
  • Cereal Extract (44%)
    • Malted Barley (13%)
    • Barley (11%)
    • Wheat Malt (11%)
    • Wheat (9%)
  • Sugar
  • Cocoa Powder (6%)
  • Wheat Gluten
  • Minerals
  • Milk Solids (2%)
  • Soy Protein Isolate
  • Emulsifier (INS 471)
  • Liquid Glucose
  • Natural Colour (INS 150c)
  • Nature Identical Flavouring Substances
  • Acidity Regulators (INS 501 (ii), INS 500 (ii))
  • Vitamins
  • Edible Iodized Salt
High concernModerate concernLow concernNo concernIn label order. Tap a highlighted one to learn more. How we rate additives
Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix pack, front view

9 teaspoons of sugar in every 100 g of powder · 46 g total sugar, 5 g a teaspoon

FFortifiedNutrition per 100 g
BNutrition densityBIngredient integrity3Load risk
Nutrition facts
Energy360 kcal
Protein7 g
Carbohydrates81 g
Total sugars46 g
Added sugars36 g
Dietary fibre5 g
Total fat2 g
Saturated fat2 g
Trans fat0.1 g
Cholesterol5 mg
Sodium350 mg
Calcium741 mg
Magnesium65 mg
Phosphorus190 mg
Potassium300 mg
Iron26 mg
Zinc8.3 mg
Iodine139 µg
Copper0.65 mg
Selenium74 µg
Chloride180 mg
Vitamin A741 µg
Vitamin E2.5 mg
Vitamin C140 mg
Vitamin D9.3 µg
Vitamin B11.3 mg
Vitamin B23 mg
Vitamin B317 mg
Vitamin B51.4 mg
Vitamin B63.7 mg
Vitamin B79 µg
Vitamin B121.9 µg
Folic acid340 µg
Highlighted values exceed FSSAI and UK FSA front of pack thresholds.

Think this score is wrong?

What to know about Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix

A fortified malt drink with 36 g added sugar

Horlicks Chocolate Delight is a 500 g jar of chocolate malt drink powder. It is built on cereal extract (44%) from malted barley (13%), barley (11%), wheat malt (11%) and wheat (9%), with sugar, cocoa powder (6%), wheat gluten, milk solids (2%) and soy protein isolate. It is bought to stir into milk, often for children, on the promise of growth, strength and focus.

Per 100 g the powder has 360 kcal, 7 g protein, 5 g fibre, 46 g total sugar (36 g declared as added) and up to 350 mg sodium. One 20 g serve, two spoons, gives 72 kcal, 1.4 g protein and 7.2 g added sugar before the milk. The fortification is large: 741 mg calcium, 26 mg iron and 9.3 mcg vitamin D per 100 g.

The pack leads with Tall, Strong and Sharp, which rest on added vitamins and minerals rather than on the cereal, cocoa or milk. The chocolate is real but small at 6% cocoa, backed by nature-identical flavouring. CleanPlate scores it [F]BB3.

Why Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix scores [F]BB3

Nutrition is a B, but only thanks to added vitamins and minerals: it would be a D without them. Ingredients are a B, and risk is a 3 because sugar leads when the drink is made up.

How we score →
01 Nutrition densityA to E
B

Good nutrient density

Protein
7 g
Fibre
5 g
Vitamins and minerals
22 declared
Energy
360 kcal

01 Nutrition density: why B

Protein is 7 g per 100 g, mostly from wheat and barley, and fibre is 5 g. Both are modest. In one 20 g serve that is 1.4 g protein and 1 g fibre.

What lifts the grade is fortification. Vitamins A, C, D, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, folate, calcium, iron and zinc are added, which earns a micronutrient bonus. Without that fortification the nutrition grade would be a D.

Scored on protein, fibre and twelve vitamins and minerals, against the Codex and FSSAI "source" and "high" levels, per 100 g and per 100 kcal. Protein also has to supply at least 12.5% of the calories to count, and 25% for full credit.

02 Ingredient integrityA to E
B

Good, few concerning additives

Base
Cereal Extract, Barley, Wheat...
Sweeteners
Sugar, Liquid Glucose
Additives
3
Flagged
None

02 Ingredient integrity: why B

The list starts with cereal extract (44%) from malted barley, barley, wheat malt and wheat, then sugar and cocoa powder (6%). Percentages are declared for the main parts, and nothing on the pack is a hollow promise.

Three additives cost ingredient points: nature-identical flavouring, ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c), which costs the most, and the emulsifier INS 471. The acidity regulators INS 500 (ii) and 501 (ii) cost nothing.

Scored on how processed the ingredients are, which additives are used and why, and whether the label keeps its promises.

03 Load risk1 to 5
3

Moderate risk

Per 100 g as made

Free sugar
3.9 g
Sodium
71.1 mg
Saturated fat
2 g
Trans fat
0.08 g

Scored on the drink as made: 20 g in 200 ml of toned milk, from the pack's directions. As sold, the powder has 350 mg sodium and 36 g added sugar per 100 g.

03 Load risk: why 3

Risk is scored on the drink as made: 20 g of powder in 200 ml of toned milk, 226 g in all. That gives 86.5 kcal, 3.94 g sugar, 2.0 g saturated fat and 71.1 mg sodium per 100 g of drink.

Sugar is the largest part of the risk number, followed by energy and saturated fat. Sodium and trans fat add little. Saturated fat and sodium are printed as upper bounds on the pack, so they are used at the bound.

Scored on free sugar, sodium, saturated fat and trans fat, each weighed by how strong the evidence of harm is.

[F] Added vitamins or minerals meaningfully lift this product's nutrition grade. Without them it would score lower.

Red flags

  • Red flag: High added sugar (36g per 100g)

Green flags

  • Green flag: Source of fibre

Does Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix live up to its claims?

Nothing on the pack is hollow. The Tall, Strong and Sharp claims rest on added nutrients such as 741 mg calcium per 100 g, and the chocolate is real at 6% cocoa.

  • On the pack

    “Nutrients to support: Tall, Strong, Sharp”

    Be careful

    The nutrients are real and added: 741 mg calcium and 9.3 mcg vitamin D per 100 g, about 148 mg calcium per 20 g serve. Height, bone and brain outcomes depend on the whole diet, not one drink.

  • On the pack

    “Supports immunity”

    Be careful

    Vitamins A, C, D and zinc are added, with 140 mg vitamin C and 8.3 mg zinc per 100 g. A serve gives a fifth of that, so it adds to the day's intake rather than being the source.

  • Retail listing

    “27 Vital Nutrients”

    Be careful

    The nutrition panel lists 22 vitamins and minerals. The count of 27 is not broken down on the pack.

  • Product name

    “Chocolate Delight Flavour”

    Partly true

    Cocoa powder is 6% of the powder, and nature-identical flavouring is listed too. Cereal extract and sugar make up most of it.

  • Retail listing

    “Net weight 550 g”

    Be careful

    The retailer page shows 550 g, the pack shows 500 g, so the pack figure is used.

What's in Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

Cereal extract at 44% leads, then sugar and cocoa at 6%. Watch the sugar, the ammonia caramel colour and the nature-identical flavouring.

The ingredient list, read for you

Cereal extract (44%) leads, made from malted barley (13%), barley (11%), wheat malt (11%) and wheat (9%). Sugar comes next, then cocoa powder (6%), wheat gluten, minerals, milk solids (2%) and soy protein isolate. Gluten and soy add protein, and milk solids are only 2%.

The rest is for texture, colour and taste: emulsifier INS 471, liquid glucose, ammonia caramel colour INS 150c, nature-identical flavouring, acidity regulators INS 501 (ii) and 500 (ii), vitamins and iodised salt. It contains wheat, barley, milk and soy, and may contain oats and nuts.

Ingredients to watch

  • Added sugarConcern

    36 g per 100 g declared, 7.2 g per 20 g serve. The sugar from the cereal extract is counted as well, so the scored figure is higher. Sugar is the biggest part of the risk number.

  • Ammonia caramel colour (INS 150c)Worth watching

    A colour that costs ingredient points, and the most of any additive here. It adds appearance, not nutrition.

  • Nature-identical flavouringWorth watching

    Sits alongside 6% cocoa, and costs ingredient points.

  • Emulsifier (INS 471)Worth watching

    Mono- and diglycerides of fatty acids, a small cost in the ingredient grade.

  • Added vitamins and mineralsFine

    741 mg calcium, 26 mg iron and 9.3 mcg vitamin D per 100 g, with 5 g fibre.

What it doesn’t have

  • Protein is low for a drink sold on strength and growth: 1.4 g per serve, and milk solids are only 2%.

Who should eat Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

An every-so-often drink for most adults. Children and anyone watching blood sugar should have it occasionally, since one serve brings 7.2 g added sugar.

  • Most adultsA few times a week

    7.2 g added sugar per serve, with a moderate risk grade of 3.

  • ChildrenOccasionally

    Added sugar and a caramel colour, though the vitamins and minerals are useful.

  • Diabetes or prediabetesOccasionally

    36 g added sugar per 100 g, 7.2 g per serve, before the milk's own sugar.

  • Weight managementA few times a week

    72 kcal per serve is modest, but the sugar adds up when servings are heaped.

Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix: common questions

What is the CleanPlate score of Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

Horlicks Chocolate Delight is a malted barley and wheat drink powder fortified with vitamins and minerals, stirred into milk or water. It scores [F]BB3: nutrition holds up mainly because of the added vitamins and minerals, ingredients lose a little for flavouring, caramel colour and emulsifier, and risk is moderate because of the sugar. Best as an occasional glass, with the sugar counted in. Nutrition B, ingredients B, load risk 3; nutrition and ingredients run A to E, risk runs 1 to 5, and A and 1 are best.

How many calories and how much protein are in Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

Per 100 g of powder, Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix has 360 kcal, 7 g protein, 81 g carbohydrate, 2 g fat and 2 g saturated fat. Load risk is scored on the product as made (20 g in 200 ml of toned milk), which gives 71.1 mg sodium, 2 g saturated fat and 3.9 g free sugar per 100 ml.

What are the ingredients in Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

14 ingredients, in label order: Cereal Extract (44%) (Malted Barley (13%), Barley (11%), Wheat Malt (11%), Wheat (9%)), Sugar, Cocoa Powder (6%), Wheat Gluten, Minerals, Milk Solids (2%), Soy Protein Isolate, Emulsifier (INS 471), Liquid Glucose, Natural Colour (INS 150c), Nature Identical Flavouring Substances, Acidity Regulators (INS 501 (ii), INS 500 (ii)), Vitamins, Edible Iodized Salt.

Does Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix live up to its claims?

5 claims checked: 1 is partly true, 4 need care. "Nutrients to support: Tall, Strong, Sharp" needs care: The nutrients are real and added: 741 mg calcium and 9.3 mcg vitamin D per 100 g, about 148 mg calcium per 20 g serve. Height, bone and brain outcomes depend on the whole diet, not one drink. "Supports immunity" needs care: Vitamins A, C, D and zinc are added, with 140 mg vitamin C and 8.3 mg zinc per 100 g. A serve gives a fifth of that, so it adds to the day's intake rather than being the source.

Who should limit Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix?

Most adults: a few times a week. 7.2 g added sugar per serve, with a moderate risk grade of 3. Children: occasionally. Added sugar and a caramel colour, though the vitamins and minerals are useful. Diabetes or prediabetes: occasionally. 36 g added sugar per 100 g, 7.2 g per serve, before the milk's own sugar.

How much sugar, salt and saturated fat does Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix have?

Per 100 g of powder, Horlicks Chocolate Delight Drink Mix has 36 g added sugar, 350 mg sodium (about 0.9 g salt) and 2 g saturated fat. The FSSAI and UK FSA "high" lines are 10 g added sugar, 600 mg sodium and 5 g saturated fat per 100 g. It is high in sugar.

Last reviewed October 23, 2026. Scored with the CleanPlate method from the published label. Spotted a mistake? .

Better Malt & Health Drink Mixes

All Malt & Health Drink Mixes →