It’s bloody freezing outside, and what better way to warm up than with a steaming cup of molten chocolate?
The homemade stuff just isn’t going to cut it though – January is grim enough without having to suck down some powdered monstrosity.
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Our advice? Ditch the instant and treat yourself to something a bit more decadent.
Cocoa is full of powerful antioxidants too, so it’s basically health food. (That’s our story and we’re sticking to it.)
Here are the most luscious hot chocolates to try in London:
Paul A Young
Perhaps the granddaddy of all of London’s extremely fancy hot chocolates, Paul A. Young’s Aztec version comes laced with a custom blend of warming cinnamon, cardamom, ginger nutmeg and chilli.
Happy Endings
Rockstar dessert bar Happy Endings sells a uniquely smooth and complex hot chocolate topped with a homemade olive oil marshmallow.
(Don’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it. Seriously.)
Cutter & Squidge
Soho bakery Cutter & Squidge sells its famous salted caramel hot chocolate to drink in or take away, and it’s Veganuary-friendly too, with oat, almond and soy milk options.
The Habit
South Londoners chasing their chocolate fix should head to The Habit, which has locations in Nunhead and the South London Gallery Cafe.
Its Terry’s Chocolate Orange-inspired libation comes spiked with Cointreau, topped with whipped cream and studded with mini Terry’s Chocolate Orange segments.
Chin Chin Labs
Camden Market’s Chin Chin Labs is Europe’s first liquid nitro ice cream parlour, but it’s worth a visit for its pimped-up hot chocolate, which comes with a toasted marshmallow top.
Bar Termini
There’s no messing around at Soho’s Bar Termini, whose no-frills Cioccolato – a cup of pure liquid chocolate dreams – is designed with purists in mind.
Melba
Head to Melba at The Savoy for some of London’s most outlandishly opulent hot chocolate.
Choose between traditional, Brazilian or festive variations before adding any combination of posh toppings, such as crushed macaroon, cookie dough and crunchy chocolate pearls.
Emily Gibson is a food and lifestyle blogger at Curious London. Follow her on Twitter @CuriouslyEmily.
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