YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is here and this year Calgary can expect some bold flavors, crazy toppings, and crazy concepts. From beer-infused sips to cheesecake, tiny umbrellas, and bacon, here are 10 drinks that you have to check out during 2022’s sweetest festival.
RASPBERRY CRIMSON HOT CHOCOLATE
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With a raspberry red velvet base, pistachio, raspberry coulee, cream cheese, AND marshmallow whipped cream, Sammi Cafe’s Raspberry Crimson hot choco sounds wild. The ‘cherry on top?’ a Red Velvet Waffle for dipping.
Where: 2205 33 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $9
PINA COLADA
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Find a tropical escape at the bottom of your glass. This month check out Brekkie YYC for a pineapple coconut white hot chocolate with whipped cream, dehydrated pineapple, a maraschino cherry, and a tiny umbrella. Yum!
Where: 20 Westpark Link Southwest
Cost: $9
CINNAMON TOAST HOT CHOCOLATE
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Made with cinnamon-ey post-cereal milk, Monki’s 2022 choco is covered in caramel drizzle, whipped cream, cereal crumbles, AND half a cinnamon bun.
Where: 1301 10 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $9
BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE HOT CHOC0LATE
Blueberry syrup (made in-house) dark chocolate-infused steamed milk and blueberry whipped cream topped with blueberries and a mini cheesecake? Sauce Italian Market is not playing around this year.
Where: 3326 17 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $6.50
THE CASTAWAY SPIRIT
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Our first boozy hot choco on this list! This month at Ten Degrees in Calgary, sip on an inhouse bean to bar dark hot chocolate, with banana and coconut milk, served with our without an ounce of banana liqueur topped with a banana brulee. The best part? This bad boy is totally vegan. Happy sipping!
Where: 818 16 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $10.95
MINI DONUT BACON HOT CHOCOLATE
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Hold on to your butts, because this one is a ‘ride’. An ode to the Calgary Stampede, The Bullet Coffee House has created a sinfully delicious mini-donut hot chocolate, which they’ve topped with whipped cream and real bacon.
Where: 2-728 Northmount Drive NW
Cost: $5.25 +
THE ELEMENT OF LOVE
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Pink isn’t just a color – it’s also a flavor! Made with berry-flavored chocolate, this unusual sip tastes of passionfruit and pink peppercorn. Topped with raspberry-infused whipped cream, raspberry coulee, ground pink sea salt, and a sugar cookie heart, one thing is clear: Calgary’s Element Café took February’s loved-up aesthetic and ran with it – straight to the stove.
Where: 331 17 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $5.50
DULCE DE LECHE HOT CHOCOLATE SPOON BOMB
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Known for going above and beyond, Regrub has created a delicious mess of dripping dulce sauce, melted chocolate, and rich coffee. Served with a ‘spoon bomb’ and fluffy marshmallows, this comforting drink is energizing, and insanely tasty sounding.
Where: 625 11 Avenue Southwest
Cost: $8
ORANGE KISS
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Orange and chocolate? KRISTI at The Crystal Palace has created a sip reminiscent of an early 2000’s stocking stuffer! Made with house-made dark chocolate syrup, steamed milk, real orange and topped with candied orange, an orange-flavoured marshmallow, and golden dust – Terry’s fans have to check this one out.
Where: 622 Edmonton Trail
Cost: $7.75
OH SNAP
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One should not have to decide between an ice-cold beer and an insanely tasty hot chocolate – which is why Inner City Brewing has fused the two! Made with their gingersnap-infused porter, this hot cocoa is topped with a dreamy layer of marshmallows and candied ginger. It’s a boozy gingersnap dream!
Where: 820 – 11th Avenue SW Calgary
Cost: $6
There you have it, sippers! 10 drinks you have to try during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest! Have fun and enjoy!
YYC HOT CHOCOLATE FEST 2022
When: Tuesday, February 1st – 28th
Instagram: @yychotchocolatefest
