10 places to go during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest

YYC Hot Chocolate Fest is a month-long competition that takes place every year in February. Vying for the title of Calgary’s Best Hot Chocolate, local cafes and restaurants craft up signature hot chocolates for Calgarians. A portion of proceeds from each beverage sold are donated to Calgary Meals on Wheels. Here are 10 places to check out during YYC Hot Chocolate Fest 2017.

By Sarah Sussman

Crossroads Market

1

100-1235 26 Ave Se, Calgary, AB T2G 1R7

• Phone Number
  • 403-291-5208Primary
• Directions

Located at the Crossroads Market, Primal Grounds enters YYC Hot Chocolate Fest this year with the Sponge Toffee Boss. This decadent drink gives the classic hot chocolate an indulgent, toffee-laden upgrade. The toffee-spiked hot chocolate comes topped with burnt sugar whipped cream, homemade sponge toffee sprinklings, chocolate sponge dust and a duo of caramel and chocolate sauces.

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Paper St

2

102-630 8th Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2P 1G6

• Phone Number
  • 403-457-2700Primary
• Directions

Entering its first year as a participant in YYC Hot Chocolate Fest, Paper St. takes an edgy approach with a richly indulgent spirited hot chocolate. El Hefe’s Hot Chocolate has a base of white hot chocolate, mixed with Patron Café XO, Heering cherry liquor and Rosso coffee. The drink is served up with whipped cream and a black forest biscotti.

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SAIT Polytechnic School of Information and Communications

3

1301 16 Avenue NW, Calgary, AB T2M 0L4

• Phone Number
  • 403-284-7248Primary
  • 1-877-284-7248Tollfree
• Directions

If you’re looking to pig out on hot chocolate, head to SAIT’s Odyssey coffee shop for a protein-heavy bacon hot chocolate. The Maple Bacon Hot Chocolate features raw Peruvian cacao with notes of hickory maple. The drink is served up with whipped cream, maple syrup and a crispy strip of bacon. Vegan options are also available.

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Hotel Fairmont Palliser

4

133 9th Avenue SW, CALGARY, AB T2P 2M3

• Phone Number
  • 403-262-1234Primary
  • 1-866-540-4477Tollfree
• Directions

For a hearty, spiked hot chocolate, head to the Fairmont Palliser to try its Guinness Hot Chocolate. The beverage is made with creamy smooth Guinness hot chocolate, as well as infusions of Jameson and Baileys. It comes topped off with a house-made Guinness marshmallow.

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Wild & Raw Superfood Juice Bar

5

1119 Kensington Rd NW, Calgary, AB T2N 3P2

• Phone Number
  • 587-354-2729Primary
• Directions

Kensington’s health food mecca enters YYC Hot Chocolate Fest this year with a healthier take on Lavender White Hot Chocolate. Wild & Raw’s version is infused with lavender essence and hints of ginger and honey. The cacao is sweetened naturally with Lucuma and local honey.

Monogram Coffee

• Phone Number
  • 403-473-3886Primary

This local Calgary coffee shop offers up a zesty, citrus-infused hot chocolate this year. Reminiscent of a liquefied Terry’s Chocolate Orange, the Cirtrus Ginger Hot Chocolate features a Valrhona base with notes of orange, ginger and spice.

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Righteous Gelato

6

110-221 19 St Se, Calgary, AB T2E 7M2

• Phone Number
  • 403-452-3150Primary
• Directions

This artisanal Calgary gelato spot enters YYC Hot Chocolate Fest this year with a luxurious Red Velvet Drinking chocolate. The drink’s base is made of rich, Dutch cocoa and Fiasco’s salted caramel dust. The drink is topped off with a red velvet crumb covered marshmallow.

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Ollia Macarons & Tea

7

810 16 Avenue SW, Calgary, AB T2R 0S9

• Phone Number
  • 403-457-9775Primary
• Directions
• Menu

17th Avenue’s go-to macaron shop is offering up a Fleur de Sel Caramel Drinking Chocolate this year for YYC Hot Chocolate Fest. The drink’s base is made with chocolate from local Calgary chocolatier Old Coal and features an infusion of fleur de sel salted caramel sauce. The drink is topped off with caramel whipped cream and a caramel marshmallow. A gluten-free option is also available.

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Blenz

8

702 7 Ave SW, Calgary, AB T2P 0Z1

• Phone Number
  • 403-264-8630Primary
• Directions

Just in time for Valentine’s Day, Blenz Coffee enters YYC Hot Chocolate Fest with one of the most romantic offerings. Will You Accept This Rose? is a single origin dark chocolate hot chocolate infused with organic chai and rose. The beverage is topped off with cinnamon whipped cream and a sprinkling of rose petals.

More from Sarah Sussman

As the associate editor-in-chief of HipHopCanada.com and A&R talent scout for the Universal Music Scouting Program, Sarah spends most of her time interviewing and photographing hip-hop artists, checking out new music and scouting live shows. She lives in Calgary.

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