This month was a complete success we tried 39 different hot chocolates from 37 different locations and spending roughly $300 with the average hot chocolate costing seven dollars.

We tried way more than last year, we also found it really difficult to find the more creative hot chocolates this year. We felt that there was more simplistic hot chocolates this year than in years past.

Again I asked my wife and daughter to rate their top five hot chocolates. They found it difficult so they wanted to do two categories; Simplistic and Creative. So here are their lists.

My daughter’s list of Creatives:

1. Vendome – Sweet as Honey Bourbon 
2. Bike and Brew – PeaBee Hot Chocolate
3. Totalitea – Chocolate Fog
4. Alforno – Hot Chocolate Affogato & Cointreau Orange
5. Cravings – Buttered Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Delight

My daughter’s list of Simplistic’s:

1. Sought and Found – Real Chocolate x Milk
2. Milano Roasters – Cionccolata Calda
3. Kaffeeklatsch – Collagen Hot Chocolate

My wife’s list of Creatives:

1. Totalitea – Chocolate Fog
2. Black Sheep – You’ve been hit by a Smooth Tropical
3. Sanctuary – Victorian Hot Chocolate
4. Good Mood Brewery – Malted Milk Hot Chocolate
5. Community Natural Foods – Rocky Mountain Reishi Hot Chocolate

My wife’s list of Simplistic’s:

1. Milano Roasters – Cionccolata Calda
2. Kaffeeklatch – Collagen Hot Chocolate

My wife’s list of Liquored:

1. Vendome – Sweet as Honey Bourbon
2. Alforno – Hot Chocolate Affogato & Cointreau Orange
3. The Block Kitchen & Lounge – Cherry Kiss

This year we also wanted to add a map of all the locations we visited so you can see the wide area of all the hot chocolates we tasted.

Overall one thing we all could agree on this year was that there was some outstanding hot chocolates and some very disappointing hot chocolates this year. The ones that were outstanding really stood out against the rest, whereas the ones that were disappointing really were not good due to aspects of the hot chocolate that failed. Whether it was their flavour, their whip, their garnishes, or their overall beverage.

We were very pleased to be apart of this years YYC Hot Chocolate Fest with a portion of proceeds going to Meals on Wheels, and we were so happy that we were able to visit as many locations as we could.

Hope you all had a very chocolatey February!

A twist on our fan-favourite Frozen Hot Chocolate Gelato. Our rich dutch cocoa base is sweetened with condensed milk, and finished with a sprinkle of sea-salt. Topped with our house-made vanilla bean marshmallows because don’t marshmallows make everything better?

This hot chocolate is $6.75 and is more of a milkshake than a hot chocolate. They use their frozen hot chocolate gelato which is delicious by itself and even better in this drink. We thought it was interesting that when we ordered the drink we were told it was a milkshake, we believed it was a milkshake since they make gelato. I feel that might be because others ordered it and was disappointed that it was a cold drink. It was a tasty cold chocolate with homemade marshmallows.

Yippee ! You can have your hot chocolate and eat it too !! Ghirardelli hot chocolate and chocolate whip, with house made Salted Caramel Mini-Brownie skewer, finished with caramel deleche sauce….bib included.

This hot chocolate is $6.00 and comes with a mini homemade salted caramel brownie which was very good, very chocolatey and had salted caramel chips to give it that right amount of salt. This hot chocolate has a great salted caramel flavour and it was gorgeous presentation. I was sad that the hot chocolate did not actually come with a bib, but the beverage was very very good. We had a great conversation with the owner of Primal Grounds and she was awesome, we talked about everything from the hot chocolate to the food and coffee. If you find yourself in the south definitely stop by have a beverage and some soup.

This hot chocolate sensation features warming spices and refreshing orange zest enrobed in rich chocolate sourced from small woman-run cacao farms from Calgary’s own chocolatier, Kin + Pod. These flavours are reminiscent of mulled wine concoctions of the Victorian era known as “ecclesiasticals,” a series of cocktails named after various orders within the Catholic church. Come enjoy this dance with your senses sans the port wine and church bureaucracy. Elegantly served in bone china tea cups in the stained-glass sanctuary of Knox United Church (take away also available). Can be made with almond or soy milk.

This hot chocolate is $5.00 and is located in the coolest location ever, Knox United Church. This hot chocolate tastes like Mulled Wine, it comes with a cinnamon stick and a orange slice. When we walked in we asked the lady where the coffee shop was and she said it was at the back of the church. It was Sunday and we were able to listen to a little of the 10:30 service. It was a really cool experience.

If you find yourself downtown and would like to experience something amazing, stop at Knox United Church and have a coffee at Sanctuary.

Spice up your life! This subtly spicy hot chocolate is a tasty twist on the classic. Made with decadent chocolate and topped with cinnamon & cayenne, this cup of cocoa will have you finding many ways to add a little spice to your life.

This hot chocolate is $5.95 and has a very subtle spice to the beverage. It is a very delicious drink that tastes really good, we were worried that the spice was going to be overwhelming but the flavour was amazing. Near the bottom of the drink you really could taste the spice.

Sweet as Honey Bourbon – Because we think bourbon should be added to everything! The velvety feel of hot chocolate and Evan William’s Honey Reserve is unlike any other.

This hot chocolate is $10.50 and it had real Chantilly whip cream. The house made honey flavoured caramel was a really delicious touch to the drink. The addition to the honey bourbon was absolutely amazing.

Dark hot chocolate made with Organic Dark Cherry concentrate, unsweetened vanilla whipped cream topped with a butter cookie. Vegan options are available.

This hot chocolate is $5.00 and has an amazing butter waffle cookie. As it states it is a very simple hot chocolate, I was sad that it didn’t have a bunch of cherry flavour. The cherry concentrate tasted really good, but I only had a couple cherries on the beverage. I was also disappointed that the hot chocolate didn’t stay hot while I was enjoying it.

This fantastical creation that feels like a big hug of warmth and love is made with a blend of chocolate shavings, brûléed buttered caramel, spiced rum, Bullet bourbon reduction, maple whip cream, steamed milk and fluff rim with buttered graham crackers. This delicious recipe creates an indulgently sweet taste topped with candied pecans, buttered bourbon drizzle and served with a salted graham cookie. Every sip is a glimpse of heaven! and you can enjoy its decadent taste at Cravings Market Restaurant (Non-alcoholic and nut free options available).

This hot chocolate is $4.75 and is a buttered chocolate delight. The drink is very sweet due to the caramel and chocolate combination. They used real maple whip cream and the cup was rimmed with marshmallow fluff which was amazing. The flavour really tasted like buttered pecan, it was really good and worth the drive. Overall this is an amazing hot chocolate and as long as you like sweet drinks this is a drink you would like.

The barista said that they sold a bunch at the beginning, but now the sales have slowed.

So everybody get out and try this hot chocolate before it’s gone.  Buying one gives Meals on Wheels money to feed people.  Drinking one will make you feel good and in turn you help other people.  The best win win ever.

Maple Hot Chocolate. A perfectly Canadian idea! We’ve carefully blended fabulous local, organic maple sugar from Citadelle Maple Syrup Producers’ Co‑operative in Québec with fair trade and organic cocoa and sugar from our small‑scale farmer co‑operatives to make a truly Canadian hot chocolate. The result: a rich dark hot chocolate with just the right touch of maple. We hope you’ll love this delicious blend of co‑operative partnerships as much as we do!

This hot chocolate is $2.00 and it is made with all fair traded ingredients. I couldn’t believe that the hot chocolate is two dollars. When you taste this hot chocolate you get the maple flavour and the combination with the chocolate is really delicious. The decor of the hot chocolate is very simple and plain but tasted really good.

Rich dark chocolate and creamy peanut butter become one in our Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate, leaving your taste buds hot, bothered and ready for more. Whipped cream and mini Reese cups to top if off, we’re sure you’ll have sweet, sweet dreams for days to follow.

This hot chocolate is $5.50, comes in two sizes and two kinds. The large is $6.00, there is also an option to add a shot of espresso and that is $6.00 for medium and $6.25 for a large. The hot chocolate is made with dark chocolate and peanut butter. The peanut butter flavour is very subtle throughout the whole drink and I believe it is better that way so it isn’t too strong.

I was slightly disappointed that they used canned whip cream instead of fresh. Overall this is one of the best peanut butter hot chocolates that I have had.