Winter Warmers: The must try hot chocolates in Canberra

With the colder months starting to roll in, the thirst for a good hot chocolate grows by the minute. A hot chocolate that can satisfy your chocolate needs, keep your hands warm and not break the bank all at the same time.

Lucky for you, here is a list of four must-try hot chocolates around Canberra that can satisfy all of your hot beverage needs, ensuring you get the very best winter warmers!

Koko Black – Classic Belgium hot chocolate:

Overall hot chocolate experience:

Made with real milk and dark Belgian chocolate blended with cream, the Koko black classic hot chocolate comes in a variety of flavours including cinnamon, orange and chilli if you are looking to be a little adventurous on a cold Canberra day.

Presented impeccably, this decadent hot chocolate is swirled with a chocolate syrup rather than the traditional powder, giving that extra chocolate kick that you need in your life. If you are stuck in the city or coffee just isn’t your thing, Koko Black is a must-go sophisticated, yet relaxed destination for your next hot choccie.

Flavour and chocolate factor: 

Specialising in all thing’s chocolate, Koko Black do not fail to deliver with this classic hot beverage that is rich and coats your tongue thickly before flowing down your throat.  Smooth and creamy from the outset, this hot chocolate perfectly blends its dark and milk chocolates to ensure it is not too rich the entire way through. however, due to the amount of real chocolate that is in the drink, you can find yourself having a sweetness overload at times.

Warmth:

With the provided options of receiving your hot chocolate – warm, hot or extra hot, the Koko Black experience ensures all patrons are looked after. This Belgian hot chocolate is not too hot to drink but just right to wrap your hands around the ceramic mug and enjoy every sip till your hearts content.

Expense:

While there is no doubt Koko Black make an amazing hot chocolate, it does come at a price. Coming in at a steep $7, the cost of this warm chocolate elixir may break the bank but the cost for quality never comes cheap.

Urban Pantry – Belgium hot chocolate:

Overall hot chocolate experience:

Urban Pantry takes a different approach when dealing with the traditional hot chocolate on the green lawns of Manuka, offering multiple varieties, from milk, white, and dark chocolates to top deck and chocolate overdose. These guarantee your chocolate needs are well satisfied.

If that still isn’t enough, Urban Pantry intend to keep you warm this winter with a deconstructed hot chocolate of sorts, offering organic cacao, vanilla bean, hazelnut reduction and toasted marshmallow. A winter beverage you must choc-out!

Flavour and chocolate factor:

The Urban Pantry Belgian hot chocolate is very light from the first sip, with melted Belgian chocolate at the bottom of the beverage, intended to be stirred in with the milk. This sublime mix of chocolate and milk leaves you wanting more every time you put the glass down, and the best bit is, all the chocolate that you didn’t drink is sitting at the bottom waiting for you.

Warmth:

Urban Pantry offer quite a warm hot chocolate than a scolding hot one, with the intent of allowing patrons to enjoy the beverage comfortably rather than forcing them to wait for it to cool down. No doubt this beverage is safe and delicious for all ages, and certainly one to keep the littlies warm on a wintry day.

Expense:

The Urban Pantry Belgian hot chocolate is reasonably priced at $4.40 for a cup or $5.40 for a mug, making this hot chocolate a sure thing for your winter warmer.

Double Shot – Belgium hot chocolate overdose:

Overall hot chocolate experience:

If you love watching people drinking amazing hot chocolates, then look no further. DoubleShot’s Belgian hot chocolate overdose is well worth the drive. Offering options similar to Urban Pantry, with a range of chocolate options as well as top deck and chocolate overdose.

While there is certainty nothing wrong with ordering the standard hot chocolate, the chocolate overdose option offers something for all ages while possibly changing the hot chocolate game as we know it.

Flavour and chocolate factor:

With hints of hazelnuts and white chocolate, the Double Shot Belgium hot chocolate overdose offers stir-in chocolate to an understandably sweeter hot beverage. Ideal for kids, the overdose provides all flavours of the chocolate rainbow without going over the top, providing the ideal drink to sip on while chatting or simply relaxing.

Warmth:

Served at a lukewarm temperature, this hot chocolate may not be the best hand warmer during the colder months, however, the flavour certainly makes up for the slightly warmer than hot temperature.

Expense:

A Belgian hot chocolate from DoubleShot will give you some real bang for your buck with the cup size priced at $4.50 and a mug setting you back $5.50.

Hansel and Gretel Coffee House – Traditional hot chocolate:

Overall hot chocolate experience:

Hansel and Gretel Coffee House do not try to re-invent the wheel with their take on the hot chocolate, offering up a superb classic done right.

While there are no fancy options to build on like the other entries on this list, the Hansel and Gretel hot chocolate provides a nostalgic feel to the classic beverage alongside the very family orientated atmosphere at the café.

Flavour and chocolate factor:

The frothy topped hot chocolate from Hansel and Gretel has hints of cinnamon from the first sip. The powder base offers a sweetness to the hot chocolate without it being it overbearing in terms of the chocolate factor. The creamy and velvety texture may force you to go for seconds, but don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Warmth:

This traditional hot chocolate comes as expected… hot! Be careful not to burn your tongue while taking the first sip of this chocolate delight!

Expense:

Hansel and Gretel only offer one size, LARGE, meaning you get a lot more hot chocolate for less, coming in at the great winter warmer price of $4.50.