When winter rolls around, so does the cold. This means it is time to break out the winter gear or bundle up at home in front of the fireplace. If that is not enough to keep you warm, hot chocolate will surely do the trick. Homemade hot chocolate is always a great choice, but over the long winter break, it can be good to get outside. A quick hot drink run is the perfect little out-of-the-house trip. Sioux Falls has many options to satisfy anyone’s hot chocolate needs; here are some of the best places to go.
Starbucks:
The first hot chocolate we tried was from Starbucks. It had an extremely rich chocolate flavor, the whipped cream and mocha drizzle only adding to the sweetness. Although it was sweet, it did have a slightly bitter aftertaste. Due to the richness of the drink, a grande would be the best size to get. After a few minutes of sitting out, it also began to settle, the chocolate sauce and milk separating. This created a very grainy texture, becoming almost unbearable to drink. So, unless you plan to drink your hot chocolate right away and you like a sweet drink, Starbucks may not be for you.
CH Patisserie:
Another sweet option for a hot chocolate is from CH Patisserie. It would also be a great local choice. Their “Parisian” hot chocolate lives up to its name. A mix of bittersweet, rich chocolate and milk, this drink is an extremely sweet choice. Unlike Starbucks’ hot chocolate, this one did not settle at all, maintaining the creamy texture. Pairing this drink with a macaron or croissant would definitely help to counteract the richness.
The Source:
The Source is another great local choice for hot chocolate. A stark contrast from the other two drinks, this one was the perfect amount of sweet, not too over the top, making it a prime choice for those who do not prefer sweet drinks. Towards the end of the drink, it did have more of a milk flavor rather than chocolate. On top of a perfectly balanced flavor, it also had a creative milk design on top, tying it all together.
Scooter’s Coffee:
For a delicious hot chocolate that is on the cheaper side, Scooter’s is the perfect choice. It has a very well-balanced chocolate flavor and is not overly sweet. Additionally, it does not separate or settle, remaining silky-smooth throughout the entire drinking experience. However, this hot chocolate, when compared to the others we tried, simply does not stand out; it is enjoyable, but nothing special.
