Frigid temperatures got you in a funk? One of the best remedies for a case of the winter blues is cozying up with a nice cup of hot chocolate for National Hot Chocolate Day on Jan. 31.
While the debate over whether hot chocolate should be made with milk vs. water has held strong throughout the years, perhaps a greater question is whether you should top your cup of cocoa with marshmallows or whipped cream.
To settle the marshmallows vs. whipped cream debate once and for all, a poll of Delaware Online/The News Journal readers was conducted to finally figure out which sweet treat will reign supreme.
And the survey says …
More people enjoy marshmallows with their cocoa, according to the results at the time this article was published.
If you still prefer your hot chocolate with whipped cream, we promise not to tell the others.
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Even though a regular cup of hot chocolate is a tried-and-true classic, we’re raising the bar this year for National Hot Chocolate Day and challenging you to try one of these fun versions of hot cocoa, and other delicious hot drinks, around the state.
Whether you like it hot or frozen, white or chocolate, plain or topped with goodies, there’s something out there for you:
Tre Sorelle Dolce, Wyoming
This Wyoming ice cream shop serves up more than just frozen treats. Although Tre Sorelle Dolce specializes in hand-dipped ice cream and Italian ice, this sweet stop also offers a hot chocolate float that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth.
Tre Sorelle’s hot chocolate float is house-made with milk and chocolate syrup before being steamed hot on an espresso machine. Add any flavored syrup and ice cream flavor of your choice and your hot chocolate is complete!
This drink is available year round and customers can add as many toppings as they like.
If you pay them a visit this winter, check out their ice-skating rink and mini golf course while you’re at it.
27 S. Railroad Ave., Wyoming, (302) 363-1909; tresorelledolcedelaware.com
Brew HaHa!, various locations
If hot chocolate isn’t your thing, here’s a tasty latte from Brew HaHa! that packs quite the punch.
Their signature Brew HaHa! Latte starts with their house espresso blend called Smithbridge Road, locally roasted and created by Brandywine Coffee Roasters.
Raspberry syrup and Ghiradelli dark chocolate are mixed into the espresso along with your choice of milk or milk alternative and topped with whipped cream. Depending on how you feel, the drink can be served hot, iced or frozen.
This beverage was created by owner Aliza Morkides at the original Greenville location in 1993 and is available year-round at all locations.
Brew HaHa! can be found in Christiana Hospital, Concord Pike, on Delaware Ave., Greenville, Newark, North Wilmington, Pike Creek and in Trolley Square. brewhaha.com/#home
Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co., Newark
What’s a story about chocolatey goodness without the mention of the classic peanut butter and chocolate combo? I guess we’ll never know.
Little Goat Coffee Roasting Co. offers a made-to-order peanut butter hot cocoa made with peanut butter powder, raw cocoa powder and raw sugar as sweetener. It was the first hot chocolate added to their menu and has proved to be a fan favorite ever since.
If you’re feeling extra adventurous, the drink can be topped with whipped cream (or non-dairy whipped cream) upon request.
Little Goat also offers a strawberry hot chocolate made with strawberry syrup and a variety of other hot drinks including matcha lattes, house-made chai and a spiced local honey latte.
16 Haines St., Newark, (302) 455-1040; littlegoatcoffeeroasting.com
The Sugar Factory, Dover Downs
If its name is any indication, The Sugar Factory’s Pink Unicorn Hot Chocolate is out of this world.
The “Instagram-friendly” drink is made with white chocolate chips melted in pink milk, topped with whipped cream and finished with colorful marshmallows and rainbow star sprinkles.
This magical drink is available year round and fits right into the Sugar Factor’s array of unique, camera-ready drinks.
Sugar Factory also offers a S’more’s Hot Chocolate with toasted marshmallows, homemade whipped cream, Hershey’s chocolate pieces, graham cracker crumbs and a marshmallow rim.
1131 N. Dupont Highway, Dover, (302) 857-3252; sugarfactory.com/location/dover-downs
Sleeping Bird Coffee, Wilmington
For all the latte lovers out there, make sure Sleeping Bird Coffee’s Cookie Butter Latte is on your radar.
The drink, which is one of their most popular flavors, is made by mixing Biscoff cookie butter into steamed milk and espresso and can be served hot or iced year round.
Sleeping Bird Coffee’s hot drink menu goes even further with offerings such as an Andes Mint Hot Chocolate or mocha, a homemade brown sugar chai and a black and white mocha.
3111 Miller Road, Wilmington, (302) 570-7358; sleepingbirdcoffee.com
Sweet Dreams Confections Co., Middletown
Hot cocoa bombs were the latest craze last year as many searched for the little joys in life amidst pandemic boredom. Over a year later, Sweet Dreams Confections Co. In Middletown is making sure they’re here to stay.
This chocolate shop uses high-quality chocolates for the base of their bombs and fills them with marshmallows and a touch of sprinkles to keep the product rich and silky, no matter what type of milk or milk alternative they’re used with.
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Cocoa bombs are only made from milk chocolate, dark chocolate or white chocolate, but sometimes come in special flavors such as pumpkin spice in the fall, peppermint during the holidays and a hint of strawberry or raspberry for Valentine’s Day.
Their chocolate bombs can be dyed fun colors or customized for special occasions including Christmas tree ornament-style bombs for the holidays and filled with blue or pink marshmallows for gender reveals.
1 Shallcross Place, Middletown, (302) 696-2506; sweetdreamsconfectionsco.com
Eggspectation, Christiana
Eggspectation in Christiana is making its mark with a creamy Nutella hot chocolate fitting for the holiday.
The drink is made from a blend of Nutella, fresh whole milk (or milk alternative) and chocolate that is steamed in a milk frothing pitcher before being topped with whipped cream and mini chocolate chips.
If you really want a cup of cocoa that will exceed your eggspectations, ask for a drizzle of caramel sauce and mini mashsmallows to complete the experience.
507 Stanton Christiana Road North, (302) 842-2515; eggspectation.com/christiana
The Perfect Cup Café, Hockessin
The Perfect Cup Café offers a white hot chocolate that’s like “eating a chocolate in a cup.”
This year-round drink is made with Ghirardelli white chocolate powder and topped with cream. It can even be mixed with a variety of flavored syrups for a concoction of your choice.
The café has a similar drink, the blondie latte, that’s an espresso mixed with Ghirardelli chocolate powder and your choice of milk.
Some of their other offerings include a frozen flavored latte, Thai iced coffee and a house latte with mocha, caramel and vanilla.
7460 Lancaster Pike, Hockessin, (302) 239-9118; theperfectcupcafe.com
Bing’s Bake & Brew, Newark
Do you consider yourself a coffee connoisseur? If so, Bing’s Bake & Brew has a Red Velvet White Mocha that’ll blow you away.
What originally began as a red velvet mocha turned into the current fan-favorite and menu staple after a customer requested the drink with white mocha.
The drink begins with a white mocha base that is blended with red velvet syrup and topped off with milk and espresso. Depending on your mood, you can get it hot, cold or frozen and finished with any of your favorite toppings including whipped cream, sprinkles, and chocolate sauce.
57 South Main St. Suite 101 Newark, (302) 751-3177; bingsbakeandbrew.com
If Heaven Had A Flavor, Claymont
For those of you on a flavored hot chocolate kick these days, If Heaven Had A Flavor in Claymont might have just what you need.
The coffee shop offers a white hot chocolate served with whipped cream or marshmallows and can be served frozen as well.
Flavors like peppermint, hazelnut, coconut, strawberry and toasted marshmallow can be added into your hot chocolate, or any of their other drinks, for a fun mix and match creation.
If you’re in for a visit, try some of their homemade ice cream or indulge in their all-day brunch menu with a cup of cocoa by your side.
314 Main St., Clayton, (302) 471-3078; ifheavenhadaflavor.com
Turning Point, Christiana
Need a pick-me-up after a long day of shopping at the Christiana Mall? Turning Point in the Christiana Fashion Center began selling cocoa bombs last year to provide something fun for people to enjoy during the pandemic.
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The hot cocoa bomb is filled with mini marshmallows and explodes when a hot liquid, which they serve in a teapot, is poured over it.
For an added wow factor, you can request flavored liqueurs, vanilla and salted caramel for the bomb; tasty toppings including marshmallows, sprinkles, whipped cream or any flavored dessert sauces of your choice.
Turning Point’s menu also features traditional hot chocolate in peppermint, s’mores and peanut butter cup flavors.
3204 Fashion Center Blvd., Newark, (302) 738-4326; turningpointrestaurants.com/christiana
