'Tis the season to sip on hot chocolate and warm up over winter. But these aren’t your average cups of cocoa. Some of Chicago’s restaurants and bakeries take the velvety smooth drink to new levels and now refer to it as “drinking chocolate.” Instead of using traditional cocoa powder, some of the trendiest places use whole bean chocolate.
Whether it’s hot or haute, here are some of the hottest hot chocolate options in Chicago:
BomboBar
Because of their fun, over-the-top hot chocolate presentations, BomboBar appears a lot during the winter months on social feeds. Snap pics of hot chocolate piled high with donuts or cookies that hang around the straw or off the cup. You can also add fruity Pebbles, hot caramel and more top it off
Located: 832 W Randolph, Chicago
Vosges Haut-Chocolat
Head to Vosges Haut-Chocolat for some swoon-worthy hot chocolate, made with their high-quality ingredients. Their white-hot chocolate is divine, as is their rich and creamy hot chocolate made with Tahitian vanilla. You can also get a gift while you're there: The store sells beautifully packaged advent calendars with little drawers and “constellation” chocolates featuring horoscope signs.
Located: 2950 N Oakley Ave, Chicago
Xoco
The prime destination for Mexican chocolate drinks is Rick Bayless’s Xoco. Cocoa beans shipped directly from Tabasco are roasted in-house, made into smooth paste and bars, and used in their desserts as well as their “bean-to-cup” coffee and Mexican drinking chocolates, some of which have added kick thanks to spices like cinnamon and allspice.
Located: 449 N. Clark St., River North
Katherine Anne Confections
Who needs to wait for Girl Scout cookies when there’s peppermint mocha drinking chocolate at Katherine Anne Confections? You can also shop their retail space for bags of giant cinnamon-sugar marshmallows and limited-edition, gourmet truffles during the holidays in flavors like chocolate candy cane caramel, fruitcake and cranberry.
Located: 2745 W. Armitage, Logan Square
Cocoa & Co.
Creative hot chocolate, like a Velvety Venezuelan version that’s dark and fruity but has a silky finish, is among the offerings at Cocoa + Co. The store also sells creative chocolate gifts, like the 8 Days of Hanukkah basket with kosher, craft chocolates, plus drinking chocolate, bonbons, confections and bars. The themed tasting party kits include craft bars plus a private web portal to download information about the theme and tips for tasting tabletop presentations.
Located: 1651 N Wells St, Chicago
Bittersweet Pastry Shop & Co.
Bittersweet's signature French-style hot chocolate is an indulgent treat. The drink is served with a scoop of heavy whipped cream and has a rich chocolate flavor. They also serve a variety of desserts such as flourless mousse cake and peanut butter torte.
Located: 1114 West Belmont Avenue, Chicago
XO Marshmallow
Unique hot chocolate flavors are what make XO Marshmallow a winter staple. For example, some fun items on their menu include Lavender White Hot Chocolate, S'mores Hot Chocolate, and Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate. They also have a variety of creative marshmallow flavors that you can buy in store to deck out your hot chocolate at home.
Located: 2730 N Clark St, Chicago
Other Good Chocolatey Finds and Holiday Treats
Chicago chocoholics, take note. Here are places to get your fix and have a fun chocolate experience during the holidays.
- The seasonal Hot Cocoa Caramel Crisp mix at Garrett's Popcorn covers their famous Chicago popcorn in Belgian milk and dark chocolate, then mixes it with caramel popcorn. (Located: Multiple locations)
- For decadent treats, head to Chocolate at the Pen on Friday and Saturday nights. Holiday-themed treats and decadent two-bite French milk and dark chocolates are among the desserts at the chocolate bar in The Peninsula Chicago. Listen to live music, sip on a chocolate martini and hang out under the 20-foot Christmas tree. (Located: 108 E. Superior St)
- Get wrapped in warm oil and chocolate, that is said to have anti-aging, health and aromatherapeutic benefits, during the hour-long Chocolate Signature Body Wrap at Chocolate for your Body. (Located: 1743 S. Halsted, East Pilsen)
- Geja’s makes for a romantic fondue spot where couples can cuddle up in curtained booths and dip fruit, pound cake, rice krispy bars, and other treats into warm pots of Belgian chocolate flamed with orange liqueur. You can also find a flamenco guitarist that strolls through the restaurant most nights. (Located: 340 W. Armitage, Lincoln Park)
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