With winter in full swing in the nation鈥檚 capital, it鈥檚 likely your temptation for something warm and rich is in full gear and, of course, hot chocolate fits the bill. But, not all cups are created equal.
草莓传媒鈥檚 Michelle Goldchain searched throughout the District for some of the most thoughtful and flavorful spins.
From dark sipping chocolates to gently spiced versions and cocktail-adjacent pours, 草莓传媒 spent weeks tasting D.C.鈥檚 hot chocolate scene to find the best of the bunch.
Consider this your guide to where to warm up, slow down and savor one of winter鈥檚 simplest pleasures:
Bourbon Steak鈥檚 Hot Chocolate Experience
2800 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, D.C.
The presentation alone makes this hot chocolate more memorable than most. A cart arrives tableside, complete with a teapot pour and a chocolate decoration inside the glass meant to appear like the Four Seasons logo.
The chocolate is luscious without being too thick or heavy, and guests can opt to add liquor: either Bowman Brothers Bourbon or Macallan 12 Scotch. It鈥檚 finished with whipped cream, chocolate curls and candy-cane sprinkles for a celebratory feel.
L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates鈥� Spicy Hot Chocolate
1319 Wisconsin Ave. NW, D.C.
For those who want a cup that truly warms from the inside out, L.A. Burdick鈥檚 spicy and dark hot chocolate delivers.
The chocolate is rich, dark and thick, with a light sprinkle of cayenne pepper that adds a gentle heat without overwhelming the drink. For those who鈥檇 prefer to avoid the lingering spice, there are other options that include hot chocolates made with Burdick鈥檚 signature dark, milk or white chocolate.
Prost鈥檚 Fernet Hot Chocolate
919 5th St. NW, D.C.
The seasonal Fernet Hot Chocolate cocktail leans minty and sweet, though not excessively so.
It鈥檚 a comforting option for cold nights with homemade cocoa, Fernet and Genepy liquors, and mint syrup, topped with a mint whipped cream.
Pitango鈥檚 Sipping Chocolate
Multiple locations
Expectations were high here, and they were exceeded. Pitango offers both a dark, luscious sipping chocolate, as well as a traditional hot chocolate that combines the sipping chocolate with steamed milk.
Tryst鈥檚 Four Specialty Hot Chocolates
2459 18th St. NW, D.C.
Tryst offers four specialty hot chocolates: Thin Mint (peppermint), Funfetti (birthday-cake inspired), Chai (cinnamon-forward and well spiced), and Classic, which comes topped with a vanilla marshmallow.
The chai hot chocolate stands out, with pronounced cinnamon and warming spice that makes it especially comforting.
Yellow鈥檚 Baklava Hot Chocolate
Multiple locations
Yellow鈥檚 baklava hot chocolate is made with orange blossom and can be ordered with whole or oat milk. The citrus notes are strong and distinctive, making this a good choice for those who enjoy orange paired with chocolate.
It鈥檚 a unique take that stands apart from more traditional cups.
Maison Bar 脿 Vins鈥� Verte Chaud
1834 Columbia Rd. NW, D.C.
This boozy hot chocolate is strong on the alcohol but still balanced and enjoyable. Sipped in the bar鈥檚 dimly lit, cozy setting, it feels especially comforting on a cold winter night.
The Chartreuse liqueur adds an herbal note, and a non-alcoholic version is also available.
Springbone Kitchen鈥檚 Bone Broth Hot Chocolate
1426 Wisconsin Ave. NW, D.C.
This is one of the thickest and most indulgent cups on the list. The chocolate is very dark and rich, made from a classic chicken broth with grass-fed whole milk and chocolate chips, plus a spice mix.
Collagen marshmallows, sold separately, melt almost instantly when added. It鈥檚 deeply satisfying, though quite heavy.
Grounded: Plant Shop, Cafe, & Wellness Studio鈥檚 Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
1913 Martin Luther King Jr Ave. SE, D.C.
The Earl Grey hot chocolate, topped with a toasted marshmallow, balances tea and chocolate flavors well. The bergamot notes are clearly present without overpowering the cocoa.
Even when delivered, it can hold up nicely and is worth seeking out in person or at home.
Colada Shop鈥檚 Hot Chocolate
Multiple locations
This hot chocolate is well-spiced without going overboard, with subtle warmth that may include cinnamon.
The drink hits a sweet spot: not too thick, not too dark and not overly sweet. It鈥檚 a classic, comforting cup that will appeal to those who want something familiar rather than experimental.
Marshmallows are optional.
Whitlow’s Frostbite Fighter
Multiple locations
The Frostbite Fighter combines Rumple Minze and Irish cream with hot cocoa, finished with an amaretto whipped cream.
The drink is available at both the U Street and Wharf locations, and it鈥檚 an effective way to fend off the cold.
Stable D.C.鈥檚 Scoggi Twist
1324 H St. NE, D.C.
This Swiss restaurant offers the Scoggi Twist on its dessert menu.
Made with hot Caotina chocolate, chocolate liqueur, mint and whipped cream, it leans more chocolate-forward than minty and avoids a strong alcohol presence. It鈥檚 a satisfying and well-balanced way to end a meal.
Pascual鈥檚 Mexican Hot Chocolate
732 Maryland Ave. NE, D.C.
Pascual鈥檚 hot chocolate features mezcal, dark Mexican chocolate, cinnamon, vanilla, piloncillo and milk. The drink is rich and layered, with gentle smoke from the mezcal and warming spice throughout.
CUT Above鈥檚 Hot Chocolate Ritual
1050 31st St. NW, D.C.
The penthouse restaurant in the Rosewood Hotel, CUT Above, offers a 鈥淗ot Chocolate Ritual鈥� with three options.
Gingerbread Bliss combines Valrhona cocoa with Ron Zacapa 23; Pierre Ferrand Cura莽ao, gingerbread cookie and a cinnamon stick; S鈥檓ore the Merrier with Valrhona cocoa, Laphroaig 10, marshmallows and a graham-cracker cookie; and, Sip & Savor, which pairs Valrhona cocoa with chocolate-chip cookies, whipped cream and dehydrated orange.
Guests can also add spirits for an extra fee.
The 鈥淗ot Chocolate Ritual鈥� is not available in CUT, the ground-floor restaurant in the same building.
Barrel House Cafe & Bar鈥檚 The Gnome鈥檚 Grog
1341 14th St. NW, D.C.
The Gnome鈥檚 Grog is cozy and indulgent with warm hot chocolate spiked with rum, finished with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce.
This hot chocolate is typically only sold in the morning when Barrel House operates as a cafe.
Honorable mention: Baked & Wired鈥檚 marshmallows
1052 Thomas Jefferson St. NW, D.C.
Despite having some of the best cupcakes in the region, Baked & Wired鈥檚 hot chocolate is fairly classic and not the most memorable when compared to some of the other options on this list.
Even so, don鈥檛 skip the large, homemade marshmallows, which are sold separately and are the real standout at this cafe.
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