When the weather outside is frightful, is there anything more delightful than a steaming mug (or to-go cup) of hot cocoa? If you happen to be downtown, that warm, chocolately beverage isn’t far. And, as luck would have it, there’s something for every hot-cocoa lover, from the just-sweet-enough to stomachache-inducing deliciousness.
We visited several locales that offer hot cocoa and got details on how it’s made, price and whether any special varieties are offered for you adventurous types.
Consider this your reward for enduring yet another cold winter in New England.
1. Madeleines Elegance Defined
124 N. Main St.
224-5353, madeleinesed.com
How it’s made: Steamed milk and chocolate. Custom orders welcome!
Price: $1.89
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
2. A. Little Confection
124 1/2 Main St.
219-0120, a-little-confection.com
How it’s made: Half-and-half with your choice of dark or milk chocolate from the chocolate dipper.
Price: $3.95
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Thursday-Saturday 10 a.m.-8 p.m.
3. Caffenio
84 N. Main St.; 229-0020
How it’s made: Steamed milk, chocolate syrup, a little water and cocoa mix.
Price: Small $2, medium $2.25, large $2.50
Hours: Monday-Friday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m. (Hours subject to change.)
4. The Works Bakery Cafe
42 Main St.; 226-1827, worksbakerycafe.com
How it’s made: Steamed Garelick Farms 2 percent chocolate milk (no growth hormones!) and chocolate.
Price: Small $1.49 (12 oz.), medium $1.99 (16 oz.), large $2.49 (20 oz.)
Hours: Daily 6 a.m.-6 p.m.
5. Bread and Chocolate
29 S. Main St.; 228-3330
How it’s made: With steamed milk.
Price: Small $1, medium $1.20, large $1.35
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.
6. Dunkin’ Donuts
121 S. Main St.; 224-2420, dunkindonuts.com
How it’s made: From a machine in your choice of regular or white chocolate.
Price: Small $1.62, medium $1.90, large $2.14, extra-large $2.39
Hours: Open 24 hours
7. McDonald’s
90 S. Main St.; 224-9819, mcdonalds.com
How it’s made: With steamed milk.
Price: $1.99, $2.59
Hours: Daily 5 a.m.-midnight (Drive-thru opens first and stays open late).
8. White Mountain Gourmet Coffee
15 Pleasant St.; 228-3317
whitemountaingourmetcoffee.com
How it’s made: With steamed milk and powder.
Price: Small $2.09, medium $2.69, large $3.09
Hours: Monday-Friday 6 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
9. True Brew Barista
3 Bicentennial Square
225-2776, truebrewbarista.com
How it’s made: Steamed milk and your choice of white, dark, Mexican or regular chocolate. Add syrup, homemade whipped cream or flavored whipped cream.
Price: Small $2, medium $3, large $4
Hours: Monday-Wednesday 7 a.m.-5 p.m.; Thursday-Friday 7 a.m.-7 p.m.; Saturday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
10. Capitol Deli
2 Capital Plaza; 228-2299, capitaldelillc.com
How it’s made: Mix with hot water.
Price: Small $1.30, medium $1.60, large $2.05 (after tax)
Hours: Monday-Friday 7 a.m.-3 p.m.
11. State House cafeteria
107 N. Main St.
How it’s made: Mix with hot water. Self serve.
Price: Medium $1.32, large $1.62
Hours: Monday-Friday 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.
