The holidays are here, and you know what that means — it’s time for hot chocolate. Kids and adults alike enjoy a cup of this warm, velvety drink and for good reason. It warms the body and the soul during the most wonderful time of the year. We found some of our favorite spots for you and your kids to get a cup of the best hot cocoa and a tasty nosh as well.
Vitaly Caffé
Looking for a taste of Italy along with your hot chocolate? Then Vitaly Caffé is the place to visit. Whether you want a full meal or just a small bite, Vitaly Caffé has a menu that is both kids- and adult-friendly, and completely delicious as well. As for hot chocolate, it has four choices. Pick either a dark, hazelnut, orange or white hot chocolate to sip on along with a flatbread sandwich or homemade pasta. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, try the gelato. Vitaly Caffé has flavors including Sicilian pistachio, honey lavender, and hazelnut. vitaly.net/home
Blackmarket Bakery
Hot chocolate might not be the most interesting beverage in the world, but when you pump up the flavor with some fun syrups, it really ups the anté in the hot chocolate game. At least that’s what Blackmarket Bakery thinks. Just like you would boost your latté with vanilla or caramel, you could give your hot chocolate an extra kick of flavor with your favorite syrup of choice. Pair your hot cocoa with some flourless chocolate cake, hand-pulled brittle, chocolate almond bread pudding, or some classic drop cookies and you’ve got yourself an awesome snack. During the holiday season, Blackmarket also offers some fun holiday-themed treats, too. blackmarketbakery.com
MAZ Café con Leche
It only makes sense that a neighborhood coffee shop would have some of the best hot chocolate around, right? MAZ Café con Leche doesn’t just have a cup of hot cocoa, though, it has a delightful cup of Mexican hot cocoa that has a kick of spice behind it. It’s great for kids and adults alike. Whether you are looking for a hot cup of joe, a frappé, a Mexican hot chocolate or a simple cup of tea, a dulce de leche cake is sure to pair perfectly with any beverage. facebook.com/MAZcafeconleche
Sidecar Doughnuts
Sidecar Doughnuts is definitely a name that many people throughout Orange County know. Not many people know that it actually has a pretty great cup of hot chocolate as well. It only makes sense since it offers delicious coffee to go along with its doughnuts. While parents sip on a hot cup of joe, kids can have a quality cup of hot chocolate to go with its sweets, as the real star of their show is
their yummy doughnuts. Choose from flavors like apple fritter, huckleberry, old fashioned, maple bacon, and buttermilk drops. Come the holiday season, be prepared for some holiday-friendly flavors, too. sidecardoughnuts.com
Crème & Sugar
When looking for unconventional (yet adorable) hot chocolates, look no further, because Crème & Sugar has exactly what you are looking for. Boasting whimsical flavors like Unicorn, Cookie Monster and Circus Animal, it has exactly what you and your child are looking for in a quality cup of hot cocoa. Who doesn’t want a blue cup of hot chocolate with a large chocolate chip cookie on the side? Not to mention that Crème & Sugar has some amazing scoops of ice cream to go along with your warm cup of hot chocolate, too. Choose from flavors like lavender and strawberry-lemon custard. cremeandsugar.com