Hot chocolate season is here—get your cuppa from these cafés across the country

December is right around the corner, which brings with it a nip in the air and a hankering for all things warm, soothing, and festive. And nothing fits the bill like a decadent mug of hot chocolate topped with marshmallows, a dollop of whipped cream, or simply dusted with cinnamon and cocoa. 

So, if you’re on the lookout for the perfect hot chocolate in your city this season, here’s a list that will make your search easier. 

Colocal, Delhi

Nestled in Delhi’s Dhan Mill compound, Colocal is a chocolate factory with an in-house café, so expect nothing less than the perfect mug of hot chocolate here. From the milk chocolate-based hot chocolate, mint chocolate, to campfire hot chocolate that comes with toasted marshmallows on top that melts into the drink—you’ll be spoilt for choice. All the variations are made using their in-house chocolate. 

Concu, Hyderabad

Conçu, the chic French patisserie started by husband-wife duo Sahil Taneja and Swati Upadhyay is tucked in Hyderabad’s Jubilee Hills that serves everything from tiered cakes to freshly-baked viennoiserie, also has a mean dark chocolate on the menu that is best for those cold winter evenings. Go for the classic hot chocolate or the one that comes with marshmallows for a more indulgent experience. 

La Folie, Mumbai

Just like their chocolate bars and stunning pastries, La Folie’s hot chocolate is a must-try too. Their signature chocolate chaud is crafted with 70 per cent dark Venezuelan single origin dark chocolate, making it the ideal candidate for those who like their hot chocolate less sweet. It also has a smidgen of cinnamon that adds a warm, spicy note. For those last-minute hot chocolate cravings, fix yourself a mug with their handy 70 per cent classic dark hot chocolate cube melts—all you have to do is drop a cube into hot milk and stir until it dissolves. 

Smoor, Bangalore

Known for their extensive range of artisanal chocolates, cookies, and cakes that one can find at their string of outlets across the country, Smoor’s menu is a treat for hot chocolate fans too. Instead of sticking to a regular hot chocolate, sip on delicious options that range from a spiced hot chocolate, hazelnut hot chocolate to a sweet-salty caramel hot chocolate. The hot chocolate at Smoor is indulgent enough to enchant every speck of you with its every sip. 

Patiserrie by Franziska, Kolkata

German pastry chef Franziska Oppel’s artisanal bakery and café has been serving up fresh and seasonal fruit-based pastries and baked goods that have taken the city by storm since it opened on Park Street in 2018, but its coffee, selection of herbal teas, and hot chocolate are just as beloved. They have four versions of the popular winter beverage that you get to customise—you can choose the percentage of cocoa that goes in your drink. If you’re in the mood for a mild concoction, go for the 33 per cent, but if a rich, luscious hot cocoa is your go-to, then 70 per cent will make for the perfect choice. Whatever you pick, you can’t go wrong with a steaming cup of hot chocolate that will warm you up!

Lead image: Smoor