Four editors sampled hot chocolate from six local spots on a recent 29-degree day. Disses were thrown. Drinks were spilled. In the end, only one cup of goodness could win all the marshmallows.
Here’s how it went down.
| The Contenders | The Vibe | The Order | The Prices | The Talk | The Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crooked Tree | Relaxed—tons of regulars chatted with the baristas. Side note: Do you like Christian Bible studies? This is the place for you. These are happening here. | Hot chocolate | $3 (one size fits all) | There might be a reason this place attracts the Christian soldiers. The hot chocolate here is very wholesome—it tasted and looked like warm chocolate milk. | Three marshmallows |
| White Rock Coffee | “Vibes” are for people who don’t have kids or demanding jobs. This White Rock Coffee outpost is drive-thru only. | Large hot chocolate | $2.95 | Sugary and sweet, this is the stuff we remember from our childhood. | Two marshmallows |
| La Duni | Casual refinement. Pretty people who had just completed a workout at nearby Flywheel gather for a leisurely breakfast. Service is also leisurely. | Large hot chocolate | $5.25 | This was by far the hottest, darkest, and spiciest of the bunch. If you want a nutty, rich, complex, almost savory hot chocolate, this one’s for you. | Four marshmallows |
| Mudsmith | A haven for coffee snobs and green-juice-loving hipsters. Not-so-struggling artist types abound; one man in a beret was preparing for a business call from Germany. | Hot chocolate | $3.79 | Our cup tasted a bit like it hadn’t been properly mixed up. It left us with a funny aftertaste. | Two marshmallows |
| Chocolate Secrets | What is going on in this place? Everyone who works here is so happy and friendly. | Hot chocolate with peppermint, chocolate shavings, and whipped cream | $3.90 | Do you like happiness and goodness and Christmas? This is the cup for you. If you don’t, move on. But you’re dumb and making a huge mistake. | Five marshmallows |
| Pearl Cup | Office-building deli meets hipster poetry slam. | Large hot chocolate | $3.75 | We were very underwhelmed—it tasted like water served in an old cup. Said one lady, “It tastes the way a doctor’s office smells.” | Zero marshmallows |
