After a chilly day of skiing or a brisk afternoon of holiday shopping, a piping hot cup of hot cocoa really hits the spot.
But not all hot chocolates are created equal, and Colorado’s bartenders and chefs are putting their own unique touches on this classic drink.
From sweet and spicy to just plain decadent, here are 16 unique hot chocolates that are worth your time — and the calories.
Fire & Ice at Hotel Jerome
Like your hot cocoa extra hot? The Fire & Ice cocktail at Hotel Jerome in Aspen is made with house-made hot chocolate and topped with a fluffy Hotel Jerome marshmallow and chocolate sorbet. Then, the bartender pours flaming over-proofed rum on top and shakes a dash of cinnamon onto the fire to make it sparkle. Once the flame goes out, the rum and sorbet are blended into the hot chocolate. 330 E. Main St., Aspen, 970-429-5028, aubergeresorts.com/hoteljerome
The Chocolate-Covered Cherry at the New Belgium Ranger Station
Head to Snowmass Village for this delicious drink made with Red Stag bourbon (black cherry liqueur infused with Jim Beam bourbon whiskey), hot chocolate and fresh cream. While you sip, munch on some avocado flatbread or double-down on the chocolate and order a s’mores kit. 100 Elbert Lane, Snowmass Village, 970-236-6277, rangerstation.org
The Mad Monk at Robbie’s Tavern
The Mad Monk is one of the most popular drinks on the menu at Robbie’s Tavern, a slopeside bistro at the base of Peak 8 at Breckenridge. And it’s easy to understand why: This winter warmer is made with Frangelico, peppermint schnapps, coffee and hot chocolate, all topped with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candy. Mmmm. 212 Grandview Drive, Breckenridge, 970-547-8785, robbiestavern.com
The Hot Dude, a.k.a. McConaughey, at Marble Distilling
This drink is a fun twist on The Dude martini at Marble Distilling, a craft distillery and luxury boutique inn on Main Street in Carbondale. It’s made with Marble’s popular Moonlight EXpresso dark-roasted coffee liqueur, hot cocoa, whipped cream and a Luxardo cherry. 150 Main St., Carbondale, 970-963-7008, marbledistilling.com
Huckleberry Hot Cocoa at Huckleberry Roasters
Pretend you’re a kid again with this hot chocolate drink from Huckleberry Roasters, with locations in Sunnyside and at the Dairy Block. Huckleberry steams its hot cocoa to order with your choice of milk, then adds house-made chocolate syrup and a touch of vanilla syrup to give it a hint of sweetness. The best part? It’s topped with Lucky Charms marshmallows. 4301 Pecos St. and 1800 Wazee St., Denver, huckleberryroasters.com
The Hot Whicky at Spirit Hound Distillers
If you haven’t made the trip up to Spirit Hound Distillers in Lyons, do it now. And while you’re there, ask for the Hot Whicky, made with Spirit Hound’s whisky, Richardo’s Decaf Coffee Liqueur (also made in Lyons), hot chocolate and orange bitters. The drink, made in a large mug rimmed with an orange peel, is topped with whipped cream and garnished with an orange peel twist. They also make a peppermint version called the Hot Ricky, if that’s more your style. 4196 Ute Highway, Lyons, 303-823-5696, spirithounds.com
Bananas Foster Hot Chocolate at Union Station
You’ll find this delicious drink at Denver Union Station. It’s made with Woodford Reserve Bourbon with a butterfat wash, bananas, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, hot chocolate and whipped cream. This special drink is offered in the Terminal Bar and at Union Station’s Holiday on the Plaza, a new holiday-inspired outdoor lounge that’s open from Nov. 30 to Jan. 1. 1701 Wynkoop St., Denver, 303-592-6712, unionstationindenver.com
The Campfire Mocha at WoodGrain Bagels
Made with espresso, steamed milk, chocolate and smoked maple syrup, then topped with graham cracker dust and a toasted marshmallow, the Campfire Mocha is like a grown-up version of a s’mores. WoodGrain Bagels has locations in Denver, Boulder and Golden. woodgrainbagels.com
The Nell’s Hot Chocolate at The Little Nell
This hot chocolate is seriously decadent. The Little Nell in Aspen makes their popular hot chocolate from scratch, sometimes serving up to 150 orders per day. It’s made with Valrhona cocoa powder, Valrhona chocolate and Valrhona caramelia, whole milk, sugar and a pinch of salt. It’s topped with house-made marshmallows and whipped cream. You can add amaretto, Bailey’s, Frangelico, Kahlua or your favorite coffee liqueur, if you feel so inclined. 675 E. Durant Ave., Aspen, 970-920-4600, thelittlenell.com
Grand Cocoa at Gessner at Grand Hyatt Vail
Allow us to let you in on a secret menu item: Gessner’s Grand Cocoa. It’s made with whole milk, rich bittersweet chocolate, house-made marshmallows and a chocolate snowflake tuile made of hardened chocolate. Delicious, yes, but the drink’s presentation is what really stands out. The snowflake tuile rests over the top of the glass with marshmallows at the bottom. Then, a server slowly pours the hot chocolate over the tuile until it melts. (Be sure to stop by the hotel’s champagne vending machine — the only one in Colorado — on the way back to your room.) 1300 Westhaven Dr., Vaill, 970-479-1538, hyatt.com
S’more Fun at River Run RV Resort
Who says you can’t go camping in the winter — or, at the very least, recreate that same vibe? The folks at the new River Run RV Resort in Granby are serving up their delicious S’more Fun drink all winter long. It’s made with hot chocolate, toasted marshmallows, graham cracker crumbles and a dark chocolate drizzle. Though their RV sites and camping and glamping options are offline until summer, they’ve got cozy cabins you can rent in the meantime. 1051 Summit Trail, Granby, 970-557-0200, sunrvresorts.com/river-run
The Coco Caliente at Bird & Jim
Like your hot cocoa with a little kick (and a little snack)? Head to Bird & Jim in Estes Park for the Coco Caliente, made with hot chocolate, ghost pepper-infused blanco mezcal, Faustino tempranillo, dark chili spice and cinnamon. It’s topped with house-made whipped cream and served with churros on the side. 915 Moraine Ave., Estes Park, 970-586-9832, birdandjim.com
Sea-salted caramel hot chocolate at Vino Giù
Vino Giù combines some of the best things in life under one roof. Specializing in fine wines and chocolates, Vino Giù in Estes Park has a tasty hot chocolate drink made with Ghirardelli chocolate, milk, sea salt and Ghirardelli sea salt caramel. It’s topped with whipped cream and hazelnut chocolate bark for a little crunch. 207 Park Lane, Estes Park, 970-564-3515, vinogiu.com
Spiced Genepy hot chocolate at Bruto
Made with Genepy, an herbal liqueur, Bruto’s spiced hot chocolate packs a delicious and unexpected punch. Plus, Bruto makes its hot chocolate mix in-house with cinnamon, allspice, black pepper and nutmeg, which gives it a bit of a pumpkin pie vibe. You’ll find Bruto inside Free Market, which is part of the Dairy Block. 1801 Blake St., Denver, 720-325-2195, brutodenver.com
French hot chocolate at Nuance Chocolate
The folks at Nuance Chocolate in Old Town Fort Collins will generously put half of a chocolate bar into your hot cocoa, which is sure to keep you warm on a blustery day. Nuance makes its single-origin chocolate from raw cacao beans, then adds some whole milk that creates a frothy layer of foam on top. This sweet spot also serves up decadent sipping chocolate, which is made with heavy cream. 214 Pine St., Fort Collins, 970-484-2330, nuancechocolate.com
Cosmic Cacao at Shine Restaurant and Potion Bar
Head to Boulder for some delicious, house-made hot chocolate, a.k.a. the Cosmic Cacao. You’ll find it at Shine Restaurant and Potion Bar, which was founded by triplets Jill, Jessica and Jennifer Emich. Instead of happy hour, this bar has magic hour. The Cosmic Cacao drink is made from raw cacao with a touch of coconut sugar, steamed milk of your choice and house-made marshmallows made with marshmallow root and maple. 2480 Canyon Blvd., Boulder, 303-449-0120, shineboulder.com
