Fancy hot chocolate guide: Where to get boozy, bombs, charcuterie boards and flights
Winter is almost here and hot chocolate is having a moment.
Suddenly, there are lots of great options for “grown-up” versions, “charcuterie-style” boards and even decadent variations on the theme such as white hot chocolate and even cold hot chocolate.
So put down the Swiss Miss and treat yo self to what’s available around Lexington.
Hot chocolate with alcohol
Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream has four special drinks for adults for $8, made with Super Fudge Hot Chocolate Mix, which you can also buy, along with specialty marshmallows. There’s Caramel Toffee Crunch, made with pralines and cream liqueur, whipped cream, crushed toffee pieces and salted caramel sauce; Irish Cream Dreams, made with Irish cream liqueur, whipped cream, fudge sauce and raspberry sauce; Peppermint Pattie, made with peppermint schnapps, whipped cream, peppermint marshmallows and crushed peppermint candies; and Kentucky S’Mores, made with Buffalo Trace bourbon cream, housemade bourbon marshmallows, fudge sauce and graham cracker crumb.
▪ Another option: The Peanut Butter Jimmy, made with peanut butter whiskey, Baileys, hot chocolate, whipped cream and peanut butter candy on top. It’s available at The Cellar on Landsdowne and Shamrock Bar & Grille in Hartland.
Non-alcoholic versions
Chocolate Holler on Old Vine has seasonal hot chocolates as well as year-round versions like the Del Sol, with a touch of cayenne, or the Dreamsicle, with white chocolate, vanilla and orange. Or get a flight of ‘sipping chocolates,’ which are melted chocolate bars with a range of chocolate, steamed with milk and served hot.
‘Cold’ hot chocolate
Freshie’s Ice Cream & Soda Fountain, a new retro shop in Hartland at 3851 Kenesaw Dr., has a “Hot Chocolate Float” on the menu for the winter season. It’s hot chocolate, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and peppermint sprinkles on top, and a candy cane in it, for $6. Call to order, 859-552-2339. Freshie’s opened Nov. 12 and serves premium ice cream in scoops, shakes, floats, sundaes and “waffle nachos supreme.”
Hot chocolate bombs
Backroads Bakery on West Sixth Street has several flavors of hand-painted cocoa bombs, including mocha, cinnamon, Andes mint and traditional chocolate for $6 each or a gift set with a mug for $10. Need multiples? Call ahead to make sure they have the flavors you want. Because these are flying off the shelves, according to co-owner Ruth Ralph.
Not familiar with a hot chocolate bomb? It’s a ball of chocolate that you drop into a mug and then pour hot milk over, melting the chocolate and whatever goodness is inside.
Lots of bakeries and home-based/online bakers also are offering them. A list from Lex Fun 4 Kids of Central Kentucky hot chocolate bomb makers also includes With Bells On, Cookies by Charity, Desserts by Rebecca, The Flour Pot, Wildcat Cookie Company, Mystical Sweets, Sweet Chocolate Confetti, Candy’s Confections, Amy’s Cakes N Cookies, Brown Sugar Girl, Sweet Sensations and Bluegrass & Buttercream.
Or you could try making your own at home. Happy As A Lark Cakes has kits for $47 including everything from the molds to the good chocolate to make 10 bombs. The kit also includes a link to an online tutorial where owner Brandi Romines will show you how to make them.
Hot chocolate ‘charcuterie’ boards
These are all over Pinterest and other social media sites, and are easy to make. Start with hot chocolate, then lay out a pile of different goodies, from candies and cookies, add stirrers like cookies straws and peppermint candy canes, and a few toppers like whipped cream, chocolate syrup, sprinkles and you’ve got it.
If that sounds like a great gift option, La Bonne Vie Cooking can help. Chef Ruth Oesterman has a variety of options, including a full “cocoa bar,” with homemade marshmallows and shaved chocolate, locally sourced milk and even a dairy-free version. You can customize your cookie choices, too. Starts at $200 for four, and you can add more servings for $12 each. You can get it delivered or pick up. Call or order online at lbvcooking.com, 502-783-7153
Selma’s Catering and Events on Henry Clay Boulevard has kits that includes hot chocolate mix, large decorated marshmallows, candy cane spoons, Hershey cocoa kisses, and white and milk chocolate chips, all in a cute tin. Each is $8.50 and has enough for two. You also can add on a cookie decorating kit. Call 859-971-2763 or contactus@selmascatering.com to order.
