Tassie Living: Five of the best hot chocolates

HOT, sweet, thick and rich, a meltingly good hot chocolate is a sweet tooth’s dream. There are countless variations on offer but no hot chocolate is complete without a marshmallow or two to top it off.

Nutpatch confectioner John Zito sips one of his meltingly good hot chocolates. Picture: PATRICK GEE

HOT, sweet, thick and rich, a meltingly good hot chocolate is a sweet tooth’s dream drink. There are countless variations on offer, but no hot chocolate is complete without a marshmallow to top it off. Here are five of the best in town.

The Nutpatch

1 Murray St Pier, Hobart & 2956 Channel Hwy, Kettering

Hot, thick and flavour rich, Nutpatch hot chocolate ($5) is an anomaly with an ever-growing cult following. Made from a base of freshly made, traditional, triple Belgian ganache-based chocolate and mixed with pure Tasmanian fresh cream and a dash of milk, this quality drink will hit the spot for any sweet tooth. With no added sugar, the sweetness comes directly from the delicious Belgian chocolate.

A thick, rich hot chocolate from Nutpatch. Picture: PATRICK GEE

Pacha Mama

Salamanca Market on Saturday, Farm Gate Market on Sunday

With warming spices, the Mexican-style Cinnamon and Chilli Hot Chocolate ($5) is a delicious way to stay warm as you browse the stalls of the Salamanca and Farm Gate markets on a cold weekend morning. Pacha Mama has created its own hot chocolate powder mix using fair trade organic cocoa, cinnamon and chilli. The beverage is also vegan using coconut cream instead of cow’s milk.

Villino

30 Criterion St, Hobart

Entirely organic, made from 100 per cent African cocoa beans and perfectly balanced out with sweetness from added sugar, this is heavenly hot chocolate. The milk is textured to make the drink creamy, but not too frothy or watery. The popular drink is topped off with a must-have marshmallow for $4.60 for a large cup. You can also buy 1kg of the powder for $32.

Yellow Bernard

1/109 Collins St, Hobart

Especially popular throughout the colder months, Yellow Bernard’s hot chocolate is delicious and high quality, made from a premium 100 per cent cocoa drinking chocolate. The chocolate is gluten free and vegan and the drink comes with a full range of milks to choose from. This hot chocolate is suitable for a range of dietary requirements.

Coal River Farm

634 Richmond Rd, Cambridge

With onsite chocolatiers working away to produce some of Tasmania’s finest chocolates, it’s no surprise Coal River Farm’s hot chocolates are some of the best. Choose from the hot chocolate menu, including traditional dark, milk, light, cinnamon, and dark and chilli options ($7 each). The rich drinks are made from Coal River’s own blended, high quality couverture chocolate. Enjoy with handmade chocolates on the side ($10).