the words "hot chocolate" and "hot cocoa" are sometimes used instead of each other, but there is actually a difference between the two. "hot cocoa" is made from a mix of cocoa, sugar and ingredients, all powdered, to make the drink thick without cocoa butter. "hot chocolate" is made right from bars of chocolate, which has cocoa, sugar and cocoa butter in it. the biggest difference between the two is the cocoa butter, which makes hot cocoa have less fat than hot chocolate, so it is better for one's health.