Cold weather is here, and whether we like it or not, the snow will come soon… what better way to fight off the Chicago winter blues than to indulge in a cup of the best hot chocolate that the North Shore has to offer?
As we discovered, all hot chocolates are not created equal. But can you tell the difference between hot chocolate (made with real chocolate) and hot cocoa (a watered-down version which relies on cocoa powder)? We conducted a blind taste test, and the results may surprise you.
The Winner:
Leonidas Café Chocolaterie
Wilmette
Primary ingredient: 100% chocolate (dark and milk micro chocolate chips), milk, cocoa and sugar
Taste: Four stars
Tasters’ comments: strong deep chocolate taste, thick, extremely delicious and rich tasting.
Runner up:
Oberweis Dairy
Glenview
Primary ingredient: Chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, sugar, whipped cream made on site.
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: nice, rich smooth taste
Part of Chain: Oberweis Dairy (34 area locations)
Honorable Mentions:
Starbucks
Many locations throughout the North Shore. Find your nearest at www.starbucks.com.
Primary ingredient: milk, cocoa, chocolate syrup and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: nice strong chocolate taste, very good and rich tasting
Panera Bread
Many locations throughout the North Shore. Find your nearest at www.panerabread.com.
Primary ingredient: milk, cocoa, chocolate syrup and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: good chocolate taste, nice flavor
Italian Coffee Bar
1549 Sherman Ave,
Evanston, IL
847-328-7164
Primary ingredient: Milk chocolate syrup, sugar, and cinnamon
Taste: * * * Three stars
Tasters’ comments: Mexican hot chocolate is their standard. Strong smooth cinnamon flavor.
Teen Testers
No one was more surprised than Mibs to discover that teens seem to have a totally different taste in hot chocolate. In a blind taste test, the winner was Oberweis Dairy– by a landslide; Egg Harbor and Caribou Coffee placing a distant second and third.
The Winner
Oberweis Dairy
Primary ingredient: Chocolate milk, chocolate syrup, sugar, whipped cream made on site.
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: nice, rich smooth taste
Part of Chain: Oberweis Dairy (34 area locations)
Runner up:
Egg Harbor Café
Glenview
Primary ingredient: milk, Nestle Dark Chocolate Flavor Hot Cocoa Mix, Hot Water (No Milk!)
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: Light, mild, slightly watery tasting
Honorable Mentions:
Caribou Coffee
Many locations throughout the North Shore
Primary ingredient: milk, cocoa, chocolate syrup, and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: Nice smooth taste, a little weak tasting.
Newport Coffee House
1121 Half Day Rd., Bannockburn
847-940-7134
Primary ingredient: milk, cocoa, chocolate syrup, and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: chocolaty taste, good and smooth tasting.
Starbucks
Many locations throughout the North Shore. Find your nearest at www.starbucks.com.
Primary ingredient: milk, cocoa, chocolate syrup and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: nice chocolate taste, very good and flavorful.
Three Tarts Bakery Cafe
www.threetartsbakery.com
301 Happ Rd # 1, Northfield
847-446-5444
Primary ingredient: milk, Hershey chocolate syrup and sugar
Taste: Three stars
Tasters’ comments: nice chocolate flavor, good and pleasing taste.
MIB’s Recipe for Holiday Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Now that you know where to go to find fabulous hot chocolate; how about making some at home? Here is our recipe for Peppermint Hot Chocolate. Give it a try and let us know what you think.
We think adding peppermint candies to hot chocolate gives it a sudden holiday twist.
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INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup heavy cream
5 teaspoons of crushed peppermint candies
5 ounces coarsely chopped milk and/or dark chocolate
INSTRUCTIONS:
Combine milk, cream, and candies in a small saucepan. Simmer over medium heat. Stir until candies are dissolved, about 5 minutes.
Add chocolate and whisk until it is completely melted about 2 minutes. Serve
Gift Ideas for Hot Chocolate Lovers:
Schokinag German Chocolate – “Triple Chocolate” Hot Chocolate, 12oz.
Can be purchased on the internet at Schokinag Hot Chocolate or pick up a canister at Leonidas Café Chocolaterie
Williams-Sonoma-Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Hot Chocolate. The chocolate is an artisanal bittersweet variety by Guittard, San Francisco chocolate makers since the 19th century.
Hot Chocolate & Peppermint Hot Chocolate | Williams-Sonoma
Williams-Sonoma Hot Chocolate Pot
Use this ceramic pot to heat and froth milk for hot chocolate.
Vinyard Vines Flannel Lazy Pants: Hot Cocoa Lazy Pants $32.00
Hot Chocolate as a Health Food?
To read more clink on the link below:
Vital Signs – Study Suggests Skim Milk With Cocoa May Reduce Inflammation – NYTimes.com
