As the days turn cold and the nights grow long, nothing beats reaching for a warm cup of hot cocoa to kick those winter blues.

Let’s take a look at this year’s offerings:

Nesquik ($1.46) is best known for its chocolate milk mix and that annoyingly lovable Quik Rabbit. Its hot cocoa fare boasts added nutrients and marshmallows in the shape of rabbit heads.

The flavor was thick, chocolatey and kind of chalky. There was a mild aftertaste of chocolate goodness. But the pathetic supply of marshmallows disintegrated quickly after I poured in the hot water.

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Nestle ($1.26), the parent company to Nesquik, released its own version of hot cocoa. It was creamier and softer on the tongue. It had more marshmallows that lasted a bit longer than Nesquik, but they weren’t shaped like severed rabbit heads — so they lose points in my book.

Swiss Miss ($.97) had about 50,000 versions of hot cocoa and arguably is considered the king of cocoa. I chose to review the Chocolate Sensation version, mainly because the name is simply enchanting. I had never had a chocolate sensation and questioned exactly what one was.

Straight out of the packet, it showed supremacy with a thicker, fluffier powder. It did, in fact, deliver a massive chocolate flavor, but was not as thick as the powder suggested. I managed to have not a single chocolate sensation, and I questioned the boastful title.

Great Value ($.86), Wal-Mart’s generic brand, is the true generic spin on hot cocoa. It did have built-in marshmallows, and it seemed for a second that it could contend with the big boys. After adding hot water, it seemed a bit thin. It tasted like marshmallow water with a special guest appearance of chocolate.

The House, 263 E. Lincoln Highway, ($3.00) is known for beverages, so I was very excited to try its spin on this holiday mainstay. It had a robust chocolate flavor with a full-figured texture — a dream for hot cocoa lovers. Alas, for the cost of one beverage here, one could afford almost two boxes of any other brand reviewed.

-Ovaltine bites the big one ringing in at $3.13, considering the massive amount of prep work. It allows one to use only milk, no water. After a good 15 minutes of prep, I took a sip … pitiful. It tasted like cocoa krispies in liquid form, which is more chocolate-esque, not cocoa. Ovaltine is the most expensive of the pack and delivers a lackluster taste.

The gourmet coffee stations found at Reavis Hall, DuSable Hall and the Campus Life Building have a version of hot cocoa for 50 cents a cup. When you’re on the run and in need of a quick cocoa injection, this is a viable alternative. However, the last third of the cup goes sour, with overabundant flavoring.

With all these factors in play, I must say the best hot cocoa goes to Nestle, although it is a bit pricier than Swiss Miss. But with the inclusion of marshmallows and a velvety taste, Nestle is an overall better value.