I’ll be the first to admit that there are times when I’m just not in the mood for coffee (gasp), especially during the holiday season. I find myself pushing the lattes aside to make room for piping cups of hot chocolate. Sure, a cup of cocoa doesn’t caffeinate me to make it through finals, but it gets me into the holiday spirit, which sometimes takes precedence.
The art of hot chocolate is a delicate craft that can be difficult to master. Luckily for any college kid in Boston, there are plenty of options for all of your hot chocolate needs scattered across town. No matter what your cocoa preference is, this city has got you covered. For a list of everything else you can’t miss in Boston, click here.
Thinking Cup
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
If you’re the type that loves rich hot chocolate, Thinking Cup serves up one that could be mistaken for a delicious cup brownie batter. Although the hot chocolate is a treat in itself, I can never resist grabbing a pastry from their glass case as well.
Max Brenner
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
My favorite type of hot chocolate is creamy and light. Therefore, Max Brenner on Boylston is my personal go-to for hot chocolate. Their thin hot chocolate is made with milk chocolate and is served in a “Hug Mug,” a mug that must be embraced with both hands.
L.A. Burdick
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
Sometimes, instead of a piece of cake or bowl of ice cream, I like to have a post-dinner hot chocolate. With that being said, it has to be rich, creamy and low-key fancy. L.A. Burdick has a hot chocolate that is essentially drinking chocolate and is perfect in lieu of a dessert.
Flour Bakery + Cafe
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
If you don’t like to be overwhelmed by the richness of your drink, Flour Bakery + Cafe does their hot chocolate with a thin consistency and a light, semi-sweet flavor.
Render Coffee
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
Similarly to Flour’s hot chocolate, Render Coffee’s light and drinkable cocoa is the perfect complement to a pastry. With just a sprinkle of cocoa powder on top, the flavors of the drink aren’t overly sweet or rich.
Tatte Bakery and Cafe
Photo by Alec MacLean
Tatte is another cafe that makes their Belgian hot chocolate light and thin. If you want to venture away from the traditional milk hot chocolate, opt for a white hot chocolate to enjoy in Tatte’s rustic Parisian atmosphere.
MET Back Bay
Photo courtesy of metbackbay.com
For those of us who are indecisive and aren’t sure whether to go classic or adventurous with our hot chocolate, MET Back Bay offers their signature “Hot Chocolate Experience,” a quartet of thick hot chocolates served in tall glass mugs. The sampler includes Mexican, salted almond, peppermint, and of course, classic hot chocolate.
Caffé Vittoria
Photo by Alex Kaneshiro
After chowing down on a delicious pasta dinner in the North End, head over to Caffé Vittoria on Hanover Street. Their hot chocolate is thin, but doesn’t sacrifice flavor, as it is still creamy and chocolatey. Since you are in the North End, definitely grab a cannoli or éclair to accompany your hot chocolate.