Hot Chocolate That Isn't Boring

IN WINTER, we crave hot cocoa. A few places in town add their own twist on the traditional cup. Try these three specialty versions of the sweet, chocolaty beverage. 

Amelie’s French Bakery
Curl up on the couch next to the side table with the framed quote, “I believe most love songs are really about chocolate.” Sip your way past the decadent whipped cream topping and into the Tout Petit Chocolat Chaud ($3.25), made with seasonally assorted, flavored, rich dark chocolate ganache paired with milk. The flavors range from peppermint to raspberry to cinnamon. For serious chocolate lovers, this cup tastes like a love song. 2424 N. Davidson St., 704-376-1781, ameliesfrenchbakery.com

Sunflour Baking Company
If the fireplace at home isn’t hot enough, the Spiced Hot Chocolate ($3.20) will be a sure way to warm things up. Its unique combination of cinnamon, cayenne, and chili powder gives it a kick, but that’s mellowed with vanilla, cloves, sugar, and nutmeg, blended with milk and bittersweet chocolate chips. 2001 E. 7th St., 704-900-5268, sunflourbakingcompany.com

Davidson Chocolate Co. 
It comes deconstructed. Start with a mug of warm milk and grab the wooden spoon with a block of Davidson Chocolate’s scrumptious house-made chocolate. Then make your own. The Hot Chocolate Spoon ($2.95) comes in a variety of flavors, including a blend of milk and dark chocolate, chocolate with peppermint, chocolate with mini marshmallows, and hot chili chocolate with red pepper flakes. Dip, stir, and enjoy hot chocolate made your way. 1235 East Blvd., 704-817-9314, davidsonchocolate.com