In the mid of winter, there is no better way to warm up than with a good (and I mean really good) cup of hot cocoa. I’m not referring to the instant powder stuff out of a can, but rather creamy, rich, indulgent, tasty, warm, and carefully crafted hot chocolate.
I’m talking about the type of hot chocolate that you savour and cannot recreate at home. This is something that feeds your soul and melts your food-loving heart…something that only artisan crafters can bring you.
Living in Vancouver, we are privy to, and I very well may be biased here, some of the best cafes and patisseries on this side of the coast. A number of these local places take part in the annual Vancouver “Hot Chocolate Festival.”
What Exactly is the Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival?
The Vancouver Hot Chocolate Festival is the “dine-out” for hot chocolate and runs over the span of three weeks.
Every year, 30+ vendors (some of Vancouver’s best-known coffee/dessert shops, chocolatiers and dessert places) add one, or more, specialty, limited-time only, hot chocolates to their menu. These special beverages are carefully thought out, cleverly-named, and created to perfection.
For the vendor, it is an opportunity to do something fun and innovative with this beloved beverage or play up certain flavours. Perhaps mixing it with matcha, or spices, or infusing it with nuts or fruit!
For the foodie/beverage lover, it gives us an excuse to a) visit the artisan shops b) experience different flavours that can be incorporated into a cup of cocoa, and appreciate how it can taste and make you feel.
Let’s Try Some Hot Chocolate!
In my experience, no two hot chocolates during this festival, are alike. This year has been no exception. In fact, this year the flavours have been unique and extremely creative, more than ever before. It goes beyond just aesthetics, in my opinion.
I was drawn to flavours described in the name more than anything; this is how I picked my first set of go-tos (see below). While I don’t ever make it to all of them during the three weeks, I do try to create a list of ones I must try.
First up on My Cocoa Hit List:
1.) Trafiq Cafe & Bakery
First on my hit-list, as it alternates between weeks of offering two out of four creations. Each comes with a trading card, collect all four for a chance to win two dozen minis. Each hot chocolate is paired with a complimenting piece of cake as well. Also, each hot chocolate is inspired by a country.
The flavours were rich, and extremely infused (my favourite one being the chai hot chocolate in this lineup):
- “IZANAGI & IZANAMI (JAPAN)” – made with matcha and hot chocolate
- “SHIVA & PARVATI (INDIA)” – a blend of chai and hot chocolate and espresso
- “NAPOLEON & JOSEPHINE (FRANCE)” – praline orange and hazelnut flavours
- “DIEGO & FRIDA (MEXICO)” – Tres Leches with white chocolate and condensed milk
Location: 4216 Main Street Vancouver BC
2.) Thomas Haas Chocolates
Not like you need an excuse to visit this gem of a chocolate shop, however, if anyone knows chocolate, it’s the world famous Thomas Haas. Each beverage is perfectly frothed and comes with a treat (a cookie or a cake), as well as a specific chocolate creation. You can drop the chocolate into the beverage and enjoy, inside that chocolate is marshmallow or chantilly goodness. Delicious to the next level!
Flavour Lineup (my favourite being the caramelized feature with a recognizable character being “dunked”):
- “YOU ARE FIRED!” – caramelized chocolate with sea salt
- “THERE IS HOPE!” – milk chocolate and passion fruit
Location: 2539 West Broadway, Vancouver BC
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3.) Chocolate Arts
Chocolate arts takes chocolate to new heights. They are adventurous with their chocolates, so it was no wonder I had to try their creations for this year’s festival. Each comes with a small treat and is decorated with a beautiful mounted chocolate piece of art, or good ol’ whipped creme. Everything is made with handmade, in-house, chocolate. Though not my favourite of those tried, they are without a doubt pretty, loaded with flavour and delicious.
Flavour Lineup (the espresso one became my fave here):
- “EASY LIKE SUNDAY MORNING” – maple infused and dark chocolate
- “WAKE ME UP BEFORE YOU COCOA” – espresso, hazelnut, and dark milk chocolate
- “CARAMEL, CRACKLE & POP” – caramel hot chocolate
Location: 1620 W 3rd Ave
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4.) 49th Parallel Coffee & Lucky’s Doughnuts
On the more down-low side of it, however, I do advocate often for simplicity, this place will not disappoint. Offering a vegan option, and each beverage being paired with a choice of chocolate donut, you are getting the most “bang for your buck” while also drinking a truly delicious and pleasing cup of hot chocolate.
Flavour Lineup includes, and dark chocolate is my favourite here:
- “CHOCOLATE POWER PLANT (V)(GF)” – vegan option with hazelnut
- “DARK CHOCOLATE LOVE” – dark chocolate hot chocolate, Sumptuous dark chocolate (79%) hot chocolate. Paired with a classic ‘Chocolate Glazed’ or ‘Triple Choc-Old-Fashioned’ doughnut.
Available: January 19 – February 14 (*Note: Not served before 9 a.m. in all locations.)
Multiple Locations: 2902 Main Street, 2198 West 4th Avenue, 689 Thurlow St
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What To Try Next
I am not stopping yet. We have until February 14th to try as many as possible, with good reason…so far they all have been extremely different from each other. Truly.
The following are next on my personal list, mainly because I have a) either heard they are good or b) those flavours listed intrigued me most.
1.) Earnest Ice Cream
Their ice creams are infused with the flavour intended to perfection, quite literally “nailing” it. So I’m curious about their take on hot chocolate.
Flavour Lineup:
- “SWEET & SALTY” – salty pretzels and sweet caramel
- “NUTTY & NICE (V)” – vegan option with hazelnut
2.) Gems Chocolates
I truly love their chocolates, being made with no preservatives and in small batches. I can imagine them making a stellar hot chocolate as well. However, they are participating only until Feb. 12th (so have to head there soon).
Flavour Lineup:
- “BLACK LAVENDER” – lavender and blackberry infusion
- “STRAWBERRIES IN THE SNOW” – strawberry hot chocolate in a chocolate cup
- “CAPTURED ALIVE IN THE PERUVIAN JUNGLE” – a fan favourite from previous years
3.) Uno Gelato
Their artisan-style gelato is delicious, and they encourage you to try everything and enjoy the experience, so my gut tells me they will take the same approach to their hot chocolate.
Flavour Lineup:
- “BRIAN LOVES LINDA” – four types of chocolate, espresso and whiskey
- “SQUEEZE YOUR OWN LEMON” (V) – vegan option with coconut water and coconut milk, dark chocolate
The Hot Chocolate Festival runs until February 14th.
A full list of vendors can be found on the hot chocolate festival site.