Chicago's best hot chocolate, from bombs to 'xocolatte'

Hot chocolate is mandatory to make it through a Chicago winter. This year, you might be making your own cups of cocoa more often than in the past, but restaurants and cafes are still serving the classic hot drink if you want to treat yourself. And this weekend couldn’t be better timing: Weather forecasts call for single-digit temperatures in Chicagoland and Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day.

All Chocolate Kitchen

With a name like All Chocolate Kitchen, you’d expect this far west suburban shop to pour a great hot chocolate. You would be correct. Using the same criollo cocoa beans that go into his truffles and at least one gelato, chef/owner Alain Roby (he of the awe-inspiring, Guinness-record-holding chocolate and sugar sculptures) creates a Grand Cru hot chocolate of impenetrable darkness and uncommonly deep flavor — so rich, I consider the optional whipped cream mandatory. “When I started, I worried it would be too rich,” Roby said, “but it’s working very well.” $4 for 8 ounces. 33 S. Third St., Geneva, 630-232-2395, allchocolatekitchen.com

Back of the Yards Coffeehouse

The neighborhood’s eponymous coffee shop puts its own spin on hot chocolate with “xocolatte,” a latte with espresso coffee, house-made chocolate sauce, cinnamon and a touch of chile ancho, the Mexican spice that inspires the drink’s “xoco-” prefix. If you’re spice-averse, don’t worry; the only heat comes from the warm mug. $4.75. 2059 W. 47th St., 773-475-6381, backoftheyardscoffee.square.site

Bittersweet Pastry Shop

Made with bittersweet chocolate — which seems appropriate at this longtime Lakeview bakery — this beverage is creamy, medium-thick in texture and enlivened with a touch of orange flavor. It’s also available as a cafe mocha with a double shot of espresso. $8. 1114 W. Belmont Ave., 773-929-1100, bittersweetpastry.com

Chocolat Uzma

Chocolate bombs have been the trendiest way to mix your cocoa this season, and Chocolat Uzma has some of the most popular bombs in town. They were sold out for a while but have since restocked after the holidays. The shop also offers its hot chocolate a la carte, as well as hot chocolate mixes and chocolate “spoons,” which are chocolate on Popsicle sticks that melt in your drink. $5.50-$16. 1900 S. Halsted St., 312-674-6984, chocolat-uzma.com

Emeche Cakery

This bakery and cafe in Douglas keeps its hot-chocolate offerings simple: regular or a s’mores-style hot chocolate. How can you go wrong? 3453 S. Prairie Ave., 312-265-1249, emechecakeryandcafe.com

Fairgrounds Coffee & Tea

Two locals teamed up for this offering, with Chicago’s own Vosges Haut-Chocolate joining the Fairgrounds lineup to offer their drinking hot cocoa (that’s what fancy people call it), as well as a black salt coconut caramel marshmallow (also fancy!). Also, on the Jan. 31 “holiday,” Fairgrounds will offer the beverage for 20% off in-store, and 50% off on its mobile app. Bucktown, Flton Market and Oak Park locations open as of Jan. 28, fairgrounds.cafe

Firecakes

People know Firecakes for its doughnuts, but the hot chocolate is just as tasty, if a little less flashy. The thick, milk-based brew has just enough cacao to offset the sweetness of the dairy. Plopped in the middle of the liquid is a hunk of house-made marshmallow, the star of the drink. Its perfect melting pace makes every sip good and frothy. $4.25-$5.25. 68 W. Hubbard St., 312-329-6500; 2453 N. Clark St., 773-666-5277, firecakesdonuts.com

Intelligentsia

Leave it to Intelligentsia, the coffee company that travels the world sourcing its beans to make a perfect cup, to focus the same attention on its hot chocolate. Askinosie, a bean-to-bar chocolate-maker in Springfield, Missouri, gets the nod for the base. The dark chocolate bars are melted and combined with cream to make a ganache, which creates an intense near-black pool in the bottom of the cup as the barista preps your drink. Rich, creamy and not too sweet, the finished drink warms the heart even more than the cute foam art on top. $4. Multiple locations, intelligentsiacoffee.com

Katherine Anne’s

Chocolatier Katherine Duncan may be best known for her truffles, sold at farmers markets and stores across the city; but her hot chocolate, served only at her workshop in Logan Square, is world-class. You may be overwhelmed by the dozen drink choices, compounded by a half-dozen marshmallow possibilities, so let the experts help you choose. $9. 2745 W. Armitage Ave., 773-245-1630, katherine-anne.com

Lottie’s Pub

If you’re looking for an option with a little more kick, Lottie’s has your back. Pick up its Down Home Hot Chocolate (serves up to six drinks) for $30 by itself, $50 with the addition of peppermint schnapps or $60 for Maker’s Mark. Then again, no one is stopping you from adding your own spirits, no matter where your hot chocolate is from. 1925 W. Cortland St., 773 489-0738, lottiespub.com

Mac’s Wood Grilled

The drink from Mac’s Wood Grilled might be called a “grownup” hot chocolate, but that doesn’t mean it has to be serious-looking. Colorful marshmallows sit atop a drink made with Kahlua coffee liqueur, Baileys Irish Cream, Grand Marnier orange liqueur and dark chocolate hot cocoa. Be aware: This one is for on-site consumption only. $8. 1801 W. Division St., 773-782-4400, macswoodgrilled.com

Mindy’s Bakery

Yes, this is the same location that was once Mindy’s HotChocolate, and although the new bakery doesn’t offer the same sweeping variety of hot chocolate, it still serves a classic cup. $7. 1747 N. Damen Ave., 773-489-1747, hotchocolatechicago.com

The Outpost Mexican Eatery

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This new Mexican restaurant in the West Loop stirs up its own house-made Mexican hot chocolate. It’s perfect for lactose-intolerant folks, or anyone who is generally dairy-averse, as the concoction is made from oat milk. $10. 520 W. Harrison St., 312-877-5449, theoutpostmexicaneatery.com

Piccolo Mondo

Enjoy an Argentine hot chocolate — known as a “submarino” — at Piccolo Mondo in Hyde Park. The drink is essentially the same as a traditional hot chocolate, but the dark chocolate bar is served beside a glass of hot milk, requiring you to DIY the mixing portion. $3.50. 1642 E. 56th St. 773-643-1106, piccolomondo.us

Tuman’s Tap & Grill

Since Tuman’s remains open for outdoor dining, the hot chocolate beverages here are reserved for on-premises consumption only (think of it as something to keep you warm). The bar’s version of the sweet treat features Rumple Minze, Ghirardelli hot cocoa, house-made whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles. $12. 2159 W. Chicago Ave., 773-782-1400, tumanstapandgrill.com

Uncommon Ground

This bodacious cup boasts chocolate from the Omahene Cocoa Bean company, whole milk and whipped cream. Yeah, it’s an indulgent one. $5-$7. 3800 N. Clark St., 773-929-3680 and 1401 W. Devon Ave., 773-465-9801, uncommonground.com

Whiskey Business

Mix and sip on a peppermint hot chocolate bomb at Whiskey Business. Each bomb is infused with Rumple Minze and comes with hot water for mixing. $10. 1367 N. Milwaukee Ave., 773-698-7362, whiskeybusinesschicago.com

XO Marshmallow

This marshallow-centric cafe serves a variety of hot chocolates, so why not try something different? The lavender white hot cocoa offers a little lavender flavor and a purple profile that’s super post-able, if that’s your thing. 6977 N. Sheridan Road, 773-654-3142, xomarshmallow.com

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Craving: Chicago’s best hot chocolate for National Hot Chocolate Day — and all winter