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Foodie Finds: Best Hot Chocolate in Sacramento

By Charlotte King

2/29 Food & Drink - Hot Chocolate - Featured
(credit: Thinkstock)

When it's cold out, nothing beats a great cup of hot chocolate, topped by a dollop of whipped cream. Luckily, there are a number of spots where you can get your chocolate-in-a-cup fix. Read on for our picks for the best hot chocolate in Sacramento.

2/29 Food & Drink - Hot Chocolate - Freeport
(credit: Charlotte King)

Freeport Bakery
2966 Freeport Boulevard
Sacramento, CA 95818-3855
(916) 442-4256
Hours: Mon-Fri 7 am - 6:30 pm; Sat 7 am - 5:30 pm; Sun 8 am - 3 pm
www.freeportbakery.com

Of the things that Freeport bakery does well, and there are many, one thing you've probably overlooked is their semi-sweet chocolate hot chocolate and mochas. The chocolate has a nostalgic bitterness to it that so many of these saccharine sweet/high-fructose laden drinks don't have. The Hot Chocolate is 8oz or 16oz ($2.50), is strong, semi-sweet and topped with house-made whipped cream that they finish their cakes with. For a true bakery experience with your next cup, check out Freeport while you're grabbing that scone or cake with a cup of their secretly awesome hot chocolate.

2/29 Food & Drink - Hot Chocolate - Tupelo
(credit: Charlotte King)

Tupelo Coffee
5700 Elvas Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95819-3335
(916) 538-6124
Hours: 6 a.m. - 11 p.m., 365 Days

For all true coffee connoisseurs in Sacramento there are a select but few great options for drinking coffee, hot chocolate, mochas and lattes - Starbucks need not apply. Among them is Tupelo Coffee. This place is distractingly on my way to work and I can't ever find myself not stopping. But when I'm not waiting for that morning wake-up call, and I'm able to grab my iPad and sit down for a little reading, it's their hot chocolate that I crave. It's semi-sweet, not bitter nor overly sweet, topped with whipped cream, and crushed chocolate wafer cookies. The topping is almost better than the chocolate -- almost. All of their drinks are handcrafted works of art, but this one is a personal favorite.

Chocolate Fish
400 P St # 1203
Sacramento, CA 95814-5346
(916) 400-4204
Hours: Mon-Fri 6:30 am - 4 pm.; Sat 8 am - 2 pm. Sun 10 am - 4 pm
www.chocolatefishcoffee.com

These guys are purists, the whipped cream is a choice between regular and chocolate (yes, I said chocolate whipped cream). The chocolate is semi-sweet, which pairs perfectly with the sweetened whipped cream. The vibe of this place is local, comfortable, modern, and approachable - where at other commercial coffee shops you're merely a number, at this place they remember your name and your regular order - which really keeps everyone happy! For a chocolat-y experience that your kid will compare to Willy Wonka check out Chocolate Fish.

2/29 Food & Drink - Hot Chocolate - Ginger
(credit: Charlotte King)

Ginger Elizabeth
1801 L Street #60
Sacramento, CA 95811
(916) 706-1738
Hours: Tue-Thu 10 am - 8 pm; Fri-Sat 10 am - 10 pm
www.gingerelizabeth.com

Hot chocolate at its finest. This is fancy hot chocolate. What else would Ginger Elizabeth Hann herself make than the finest hot chocolate, as she is Sacramento's own chocolatier! She's been on the Food Network and her treats are in every famous restaurant in downtown Sacramento, but her chocolate shop is the crowning jewel. From behind a glass wall you can see them rolling away at all their chocolate-making, creating small, elaborate, unique and exciting chocolate. So what else could you expect but the best cup of hot chocolate. And she offers three choices: traditional American (sweet, creamy, and soft flavor), European Sipping chocolate (intensely rich, dark, and dreamy), and Oaxacan hot chocolate (slightly spicy, Mexican Hot Chocolate). They all have unique flavors but they are then topped with your choice of either: House-made marshmallows or house-made whipped crème. Plus it's the cheapest, funnest treat you'll find this season at $3.00/ 8oz cup!

Charlotte King is an aspiring food photographer, and freelance food & wine, and style writer in midtown Sacramento. Find out more about her adventures at www.foodwinediva.com.
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