It’s time to satisfy your sweet tooth, support local businesses and curl up with a comforting cup of hot chocolate. From now till February 14th, 2021, Vancouver Hot Chocolate Fest features dozens of chocolatiers, pastry shops, bakeries, cafés and restaurants serving limited-edition hot chocolates. While dining out may look different during a pandemic, we were thoroughly impressed with how these businesses were able to pivot for the festival. These are some of our fave sips this year. —Vicki Duong
honolulu coffee. With two locations (Nelson Street and West 41st Avenue), the hot chocolates at Honolulu are sure to be a sweet-tooth favourite, since both offerings come with a sweet treat. The Mauna Loa is a dark chocolate with a maple chili bacon and cayenne pepper paired with a brownie, while the Mauna La’i is a fruity blend of guava puree and coconut milk with coconut whipped cream paired with a guava-flavoured macaroon.
beaucoup bakery. Available for takeout only, Beaucoup Bakery is only offering one limited-edition hot chocolate at a time. From now until January 30th, their That’s My Jam is the ideal drink for PB&J enthusiasts. What makes this drink extra special is that, instead of whip cream, the drink is topped with a whipped strawberry ganache. Not much of a peanut butter nut? After the 30th, Beaucoup will be serving a special Thai milk tea white hot chocolate.
caffe artigiano. When it comes to hot chocolate, marshmallow is an ideal pairing—and we were excited to see that both offerings from Caffe Artigiano have a mallow element. The Mellow Berry Bomb has the fruity touch of an artisan-made ruby chocolate bomb that melts to release marshmallows into your drink. The Incendiary Orange Explosion is topped with handmade marshmallow flames; there is also an optional add-on of Baileys or whiskey to this limited-edition drink.
giovane cafe. It comes as no surprise to those who love Giovane Cafe that both of its hot chocolate offerings are a tribute to Italian flavours. For something rich, try the Orange You Glad I Tira-Miss-U?—an espresso chocolate ganache with steamed milk, orange syrup and cocoa powder paired with a ladyfinger biscuit. For something lighter, the Pistachio Mustachio is made with condensed milk, orange and pistachio and served with a chocolate cantucci.
blue hat café. As to be expected, Blue Hat Bakery has joined its first Hot Chocolate Fest with three noteworthy concoctions. Two of the offerings feature the café’s 69 per cent The Dark Side Or Noir chocolate, one with red wine and another with espelette pepper. For something to satisfy the tea lover, try our personal fave, the Serengeti Sunset. White hot chocolate infused with Rooibos tea served with an orange and ginger koeksister—a traditional South African doughnut.
ladurée. No sweet treats list would be complete without Ladurée. Whether you’re a choco-holic and go for the Othello—a 70 per cent dark chocolate infused with signature Othello tea or Ispahan, a raspberry, rose and Chantilly cream perfection—there is something sure to delight every hot chocolate fan. Ladurée also has a vegan option made with dark chocolate, passionfruit puree and coconut milk.
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