While cold weather creeps in, hot chocolate is an important comfort drink for me. I’m reviewing six different hot chocolates, ranging from local to chain options and including at-home mixes. By highlighting these few, I’m hoping to help pick your ideal choice of warm drink.
STARBUCKS
This cup of hot chocolate came in at $2.88. I ordered a small (short) cup. While I expected a small cup, I didn’t expect it to be as small as it was. I ordered at the Lane Avenue location, which was clean and quite nice. While this Starbucks was pleasant, the hot chocolate was disappointing. This hot drink was warm milk with whatever chocolate syrup or powder they used. While I understand that is exactly what hot chocolate is, this drink had nothing else to offer. The only enjoyable aspect of this was the basic whipped cream topped on the drink. I expected more from this superchain coffee shop. Two out of five.
DUNKIN’ DONUTS
The other chain coffee shop I visited was Dunkin’ Donuts. While I was quite disappointed with Starbucks’ hot chocolate, Dunkin’ was a pleasant surprise. I ordered a small, priced at $2.29. The hot chocolate was topped with a chocolate cream/foam that complemented the drink, with a subtle yet delightful marshmallow flavor. I’m not sure if the marshmallow was syrup, powder or real, but it was my favorite aspect. This is exactly what I imagine when I think of hot chocolate: a warm, creamy, marshmallow-rich drink, executed perfectly by Dunkin’. Five out of five.
UA Rise
The hot chocolate at UA Rise, the UAHS coffee shop, was $2.75. The hot chocolate had a chocolate syrup taste rather than a classic hot chocolate. They did add some lovely whipped cream and more chocolate syrup. I thought the hot chocolate was tasty. Three out of five.
STAUF’S
Stauf ’s, located on Grandview Avenue, is one of my favorite local coffee places. The smell as you walk into this quaint shop is somewhat nostalgic to me, reminding me of being taken there as a kid. The small hot chocolate was $3.25. This small was big and topped with what tasted like homemade whipped cream. I liked the chocolate flavor but the chocolate to cream/milk balance was off. I would have liked a higher concentration. Three out of five.
SWISS MISS
I thought “I can’t review hot chocolate without doing the Swiss Miss” so here we are. I’m not sure how other households celebrate winter, but in mine, we pull out the fancy mugs with snowmen on them and made Swiss Miss. If you’re unfamiliar with what I’m referring to, Swiss Miss is the brand of powder hot chocolate you can make at home. I bought the milk chocolate package for $2.99, and it came with 8 packets, making it around 37 cents a drink. It only took me only a few minutes to make the drink. I decided to use milk instead of water. The first sip was delicious. I felt like I was a kid on a snow day, taking a break from playing outside. I love Swiss Miss. I think it’s an amazing bang for your buck, people of all ages can enjoy its simple nature. Five out of five.
CRIMSON CUP
Hot chocolate from Crimson Cup was $3.25. Crimson Cup, located on Lane Ave., is a staple in the Upper Arlington community. The store is small without feeling cramped and has a lovely coffee bean smell. The “coffee shop” ambiance is perfect. The milk in this hot chocolate was creamy and complemented the chocolate well. Four out of five.
