A sweet warmup: 7 Indy shops that are serious about hot chocolate
On cold winter days, it gets no better than a mug of hot chocolate.
And there are drinks to suit every taste and diet around the Indianapolis area.
You prefer white chocolate? Mint flavored? We got it.
Try these spots for your next cup.
Caffe Buondi
11529 Springmill Rd., Suite 250, Carmel, 317-564-8092, www.caffebuondi.com
If you want to eat your hot chocolate, try the Italian hot chocolate here. Made with a dark chocolate mix and steamed milk, the treat is so thick you need a spoon.
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The Cake Bake Shop
6515 Carrollton Ave., Indianapolis
800 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel
317-257-2253, thecakebakeshop.com
This shop uses steamed milk and melted Callebaut Belgian chocolate and serves the drink in dainty, gold-trimmed cups. S’mores, peppermint and a pink unicorn version made with strawberry syrup are available.
DeBrand Fine Chocolates of Indianapolis
8685 River Crossing Blvd., Indianapolis, 317-669-0955, debrand.com
This drink starts with melted discs of chocolate and hot milk and is finished with house-made whipped cream.
It can be made vegan with dark chocolate and oat or almond milk.
Coffee drinks and house-made ice cream and gelato are also available.
Leviathan Bakehouse
1101 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, 317-493-1879, leviathanbakehouse.com
It’s not on the menu, but the house will gladly whip up hot chocolate for you year-round. The drink uses a house-made chocolate syrup and is perfect with Leviathan’s delectable chocolate croissant or lauded breakfast sandwich. It can be made with oat or almond milk.
South Bend Chocolate Co.
30 Monument Circle, Indianapolis, 317-951-4816
45 W. Main St., Carmel, 317-814-7500, sbchocolate.com
Another chocolate company that melts its own product – milk or dark – and blends it with steamed milk for drinking.
There is lots of variety, including Mexican, mint, cherries jubilee and mocha with white or dark chocolate.
It’s typically topped with whipped cream, a chocolate drizzle and shavings. But for the holiday season, guests can opt for peppermint sprinkles.
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Sugar Factory
49 W. Maryland St., Indianapolis, 463-217-0383, sugarfactory.com
In addition to a classic hot chocolate with large marshmallows and chocolate shavings, a s’mores version with graham cracker crumbs and toasted marshmallows, there's a fun pink unicorn option made with white chocolate and topped with fruity marshmallows and blue and pink chocolate sauce drizzles.
Taco Boss
7140 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, 786-479-8957, facebook.com/tacob0ss
This Mexican food truck operates seven days a week but offers its special Mexican hot chocolate only on Thursdays through Sundays during the winter.
Abuelita chocolate bars are melted and flavored with cinnamon sticks and brown sugar. Marshmallows are optional.
Try it with a stuffed concha, pan dulce sweet Mexican bread with Nutella, bananas and sliced strawberries.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter:@cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 7 Indianapolis shops that serve a great cup of hot chocolate
