Vancouver Hot Chocolate Challenge Winners

The  Vancouver Hot Chocolate Challenge was a success featuring Hot Chocolate creations from cafes around Vancouver. Each establishment featured their creation from November 23 – December 17, 2023 . 

The Winners are:

1st Place:

{111 points}

Bean Around the World on Granville

The Smore

Price: $8.95

Created by: Chef Yossi

Description: It’s a 12 hours steeping house made smore milk the steam with chocolate sauce and marshmallow that are torched and serve with a graham wafer.

Offered: all the time

Available: dine in and takeout

Bean Around the World on Granville

2977 Granville Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 732-8273

Web: https://batwcoffee.com/pages/bean-around-the-world-granville

Instagram @beanongranville

2nd Place (tie):

{107 points}

AMOKA Coffee and Bites

Choco Chai

Price: $6.25

Created by: Belem

Description: In this hot chocolate we wanted to celebrate what makes Vancouver beautiful: multiculturalism. Our hot chocolate is a fusion of rich dark Mexican chocolate with the taste and the fragrance of the spices of autentica Indian Chai. For the presentation we wanted something simple, but at the same time something that will make you think about Christmas and will make your inner child happy.

Ingredients: Dark chocolate, milk, whipped cream, organic cinnamon, organic cardamom, organic white pepper, organica ginger, organic cloves, organic tapioca and a ginger cookie

Offered: All the time

AMOKA Coffee and Bites

1069 Davie Street, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 685-7427

Web:  https://www.instagram.com/amokacoffee

Instagram @amokacoffee

2nd Place (tie):

{107 points}

Milano Espresso Lounge

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Milano’s Fireside Choco Snug

Price: $7.50 ($10.50 for spiked version)

Created by: the team

Description – A Luscious dark drinking chocolate infused with rosemary, citrus, sea salt, and a hint of vanilla. Tied all together with.a cozy dose of orange brandy to warm you from tip to top.

Ingredients – Fresh rosemary, our organic vanilla syrup, orange brandy (optional), Flori di sicilia extract (non alcoholic), dark chocolate flakes, sea salt, regular milk or alternative (oat/soy/housemade almond)

Offered: all the time

Milano Espresso Lounge

36 Powell Street, Vancouver

Phone:(604) 558-0999

Web:https://www.milanocoffee.ca/

Instagram @milanoroasters

3rd Place:

{100 points}

Cup & Bun Café

Zafaran Party Potion

Price:  $5.75

Created by: Faranak Kaboli

Description: This luxurious hot chocolate blends dark chocolate and milk with aromatic saffron syrup, topped with saffron and cardamom flavored whipped cream for a rich, indulgent experience.

Ingredients: Saffron syrup, Dark Chocolate. Cardamon, Homo Milk, Heavy Cream

Offered: All the time

Cup and Bun Cafe

3851 Hastings St, Burnaby

Phone:(604) 291-9390

Web:https://cupnbuncafe.com/

Instagram @cupandbun.cafe

In the People’s Choice Awards category, the public who tried the Hot Chocolate creations were the ones who had the opportunity to cast their vote throughout the challenge.

The Winners are:

1st Place People’s Choice:

Cup & Bun Café

Zafaran Party Potion

Price:  $5.75

Created by: Faranak Kaboli

Description: This luxurious hot chocolate blends dark chocolate and milk with aromatic saffron syrup, topped with saffron and cardamom flavored whipped cream for a rich, indulgent experience.

Ingredients: Saffron syrup, Dark Chocolate. Cardamon, Homo Milk, Heavy Cream

Offered: All the time

Cup and Bun Cafe

3851 Hastings St, Burnaby

Phone:(604) 291-9390

Web:https://cupnbuncafe.com/

Instagram @cupandbun.cafe

2nd Place People’s Choice

Tamaly Shop

Champurrado

Price: $4.50

Created by: the team

Description:  a chocolate-based atole, a warm and thick Mexican beverage. It is prepared with corn flour (simply very finely ground dried corn); piloncillo; water or milk; and containing cinnamon & vanilla. Atole drinks are whipped up using a wooden whisk called a molinillo. The whisk is rolled between the palms of the hands, then moved back and forth in the mixture, until it is aerated and frothy.

Offered: All the time

Tamaly Shop

2525 Main Street, Vancouver

Tel:(604) 369-3446

Web: https://tamaly-shop.com/

Instagram @tamalyshop

3rd Place People’s Choice

Tru Café

Crimson Cocoa Bliss

Price: $5.95 8oz, $6.20 12oz,, $6.45 16oz

Created by: Sumaya

Description: Delve into the “Crimson Cocoa Bliss,” where homemade dark chocolate sauce meets the vibrant tang of cranberry. In a mug lined with rich chocolate, we pour frothy steamed milk, creating a creamy base. Then, a spoonful of our unique cranberry sauce adds a tart, sweet twist, painting a crimson streak in the chocolatey mix.

Topped with fluffy whipped cream, each sip of this drink is a comforting blend of warmth, rich chocolate, and a zesty cranberry flair. Ideal for cozy nights or as a special treat, “Crimson Cocoa Bliss” is more than a drink—it’s an indulgent journey of flavors.

Offered: all the time

Tru Cafe

1500 W 2nd Ave, Vancouver

Tel: (604) 731-2508

Web: https://www.tru.cafe/

Instagram @thetrucafe

Our Media judges for this challenge were: AJ Heraghty, Shelley Hayashi and Ray Lee.

Our media judging panel determined the ultimate winners of the challenge, and this was quite the task as each judge who tasted each creation with a rigorous process based on taste, originality/uniqueness and presentation/appearance.

Thank you to the cafes that accepted my invitation and featured the Hot Chocolate Challenge creations on the menu for the past few weeks during this challenge.

I encourage you to visit the winning spots to try their Hot Chocolate creations! See all the Challenge Entries Here.

By: Richard Wolak