Best Hot Chocolate?

Gothamist has debated where to find the best hot chocolate in the city many times, so we're always on the lookout for new hot chocolate vendors. Today, we were walking down Spring Street and noticed that Vosges Haut Chocolat, the Chicago truffle emporium, had opened up a new shop. They advertised three varieties of hot chocolate, but we only sampled two: the dark chocolate with vanilla bean, and the spicy hot chocolate with cinnamon and chili peppers. The verdict? The regular hot chocolate is our new favorite winter chocolate beverage. It had a sweet, sophisticated dark chocolate taste, and a clean, delicious aftertaste. It knocked out our old favorite, the Maribelle/Lunettes et Chocolate hot chocolate, because it has a much more digestible texture. Sure, we love the pudding-like consistency of Mariebelle, but it's not something you can imbibe every day. As for the spicy hot chocolate, as at Mariebelle, it simply is not to our taste. It had a strong cinnamon aftertaste, and tasted a little bit medicinal.

Bonus chocolate points for Vosges' interior design, which featured dark purple walls and glass display cases, and for packaging design, including the Chinese takeout box sampler pictured below. And bonus points for a name that reminds us of another favorite chocolate shop in the Place de Vosges in the Parisian Marais.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

January 11, 2004 7:31 PM

Comments [rss]

Emilie

In terms of Hot Cocoa Mix that you can make at home, the best is Lake Champlain Hot Cocoa mixed called "Mocha". You can find this at Whole Foods or online at: http://www.lakechamplainchocolates.com/dept.aspx?pn_DeptID=13

We started drinking this last winter and other mixes pale in comparison. I don't even like Ghiradelli mix it's way too sweet. Be sure to use 2% or higher fat content milk to make your cocoa. Enjoy!

JJ Walker

CHOCOLATE BAR has the best Hot Chocolate hands down! I too was a huge Jacque fan but after this small shop won the TimeOut New York Eat Out Award for "Best Chocolate Store" I took a chance. Now you'll find me gulping a glass at the front window on cold days and nights.

cocolover

hay just sending all my love out for chocolate!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$!$ p.s see ya

Jen E.

Here's a list to help you... NY Metro's list of the city's "best" hot chocolate.

cocoacrazy

hey is there place where i could buy raspberry or mint hot cocoa/chocalate instant mix????

speak4yourself

J,

"Name Brand" hot chocolate. No, it is not brand name hot chocolate. It happens that chocolate manufacturers often make hot cocoa/chocholate as part of their biz (Hersheys as an example). So why not enjoy hot chocolate created by purveyors of yummy delicious chocolates that redeem American chocolate from the likes of Hershey/Mars.

just my humble opinion.

j.

I think it's pathetic that you people are all spending far too much money on "designer" hot chocolate. Honestly, can't you find more productive uses for your cash?

I suppose it's all very well that you have the money to spend like this. But, really, something like this makes you all look like self-parodies of "gothamites."

Andrew

I haven't had many other hot chocolates, but Jacques Torres' hot chocolate kicks all kinds of ass.

Andrew

I haven't had many other hot chocolates, but Jacques Torres' hot chocolate kicks all kinds of ass.

rachelleb

the choclate bar hot chocolate is jacques torres hot chocolate rebranded to say "chocolate bar" on it.

astrid

Leonidas DOES do hot chocolate, contrary to the previous poster's comment. At least the one in Hanover Square does. I had it two weeks ago. DELISH.

Michelle

I can't believe no one has yet sung the praises of the hot chocolate at the The Chocolate Bar on 9th Ave just south of 14th Street. It's got 4-5 flavors, the best being the spicy and the hazelnut. mmmm, hazelnut... It is unclear whether they are using Jacques Torres' stuff, though they do sell his truffles. They also have chocolate flavored teas, which are subtle and better than you'd expect.

Fluffel

Sneaking to Vosges is one of my favorites to do when I'm in Chicago. I love the Aztec Elixir Cocoa (it's the one with the peppers in it). Vosges truffles are excellent too. In the Michigan Avenue shop, they offer boxes of not-so-perfect chocolates for $10-12. If they have them in the NYC location, snap them up because they're a super deal! A box of the same size in perfect condition costs three times as much.

If you're hunting for the absolute best chocolates (actually, pralines) in the world, try Leonidas from Belgium. They're best to eat in Belgium. I think they lose a little when they're flown to the States. I used to live in Belgium, and Leonidas is the thing I miss the most. Unfortunately, Leonidas does not do a hot chocolate.

astrid

For anyone working in the Wall Street area or near Grand Central, I highly recommend the Belgian hot chocolate at the cafe in the Leonidas chocolate shop. Super rich and chocolately.

c

I've tried several and my absolute favorite hot chocolate is at La Maison du Chocolate in Rockerfeller Center. You can choose from hot or cold and the level of cocoa in it. yum!

janelle

i personally find the jacques torres hot chocolate challenging, but it's probably just because i'm a total wimp. i haven't tried the gamut of nyc hot cocoa yet, (maybe that should be my new year's resolution?) but i'm looking forward to it now that it's really REALLY cold outside. i can definitely recommend the homemade marshmallows from city bakery - they can make even the blandest, wateriest cocoa mix taste good.

rachelleb

jacques torres has good hot chocolate.. it's like melted milk chocolate.. thick & creamy.

Jen

Hot chocolate at Petite Abeille is yummy for when you're in TriBeCa or on W. 18th street. The City Bakery hot chocolate IS great for the reasons Greg N. stated, but I also like @SGC's for the pudding chocolate.

jake

oh you need to get your chocolate on- this stuff really is quite good. does anyone else have some HC suggestions?

brian w

Gayist or no, I don't think I'd be able to walk down the street carrying a cup that said "couture cocoa" without hanging my head in shame. But now I really want some!