“Marshall’s Marshmallow Melt" available at the Q Bar and Veranda at the Fairmont Empress.
There's nothing quite like a steaming, frothy beverage to warm up in the winter, especially during the cold days we’ve had recently. Just in time to lift our winter spirits, the Victoria Hot Chocolate Festival has begun, running from February 1 to 28, featuring a variety of decadent hot chocolate creations crafted by more than 25 participating restaurants and coffee shops. The best part is that many of the offerings can be made for different dietary needs, such as gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, or soy-free.
Each participating business will offer unique hot chocolate experiences, with $1 from each purchase supporting the BC SPCA Victoria Community Animal Centre. The festival aims to raise $10,000 over the course of the month for the organization that provides care for sick and neglected animals.
Q Bar and Veranda at the Fairmont Empress is offering a featured hot chocolate named “Marshall’s Marshmallow Melt," inspired by Paw Patrol’s firefighting dalmatian. This hot chocolate includes a spiced dog bone cookie, milk chocolate cremeux, roasted hazelnut, and gooey marshmallows. The drink is fired up with red sprinkles to match Marshall’s red hot gear and fire truck. This drink can be made gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and nut-free.
Flourish BeauTea is offering a beautiful strawberry hot chocolate in both its downtown and Langford locations.
Pure Lovin' Chocolate has a black forest hot chocolate made of rich hot chocolate, fair-trade chocolate, and creamy oat milk. Topped with coconut whipped cream, housemade candied cherry syrup, and gluten-free chocolate cookie crumble. This drink can be made gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, nut-free, and soy-free.
Cold Comfort has made a delicious hot chocolate ice cream, the dairy-free hot chocolate conetta, with spicy hot chocolate nicecream (vegan), chocolate nicecream (vegan), dairy-free fudge, marshmallow, and toasted meringue on a dairy and gluten-free cone.
Chocolats Favoris features strawberries and cream hot chocolate made with regular milk and a dark vegan peppermint hot chocolate made with oat milk. Gluten-free and vegan options are available.
Working Culture Bread is offering passionfruit dark chocolate with a buttery shortbread cookie to dip, with vegan (without cookie), vegetarian, and nut-free options.
Lure Restaurant & Bar is featuring a red velvet hot chocolate—white chocolate hot chocolate, bursting with colours and flavours. Topped with red sprinkles, whipped cream, and a red velvet Ooh La La cupcake. Enjoy this with your choice of milk or milk substitutes, and upgrade to a spirited hot chocolate with Bailey’s classic or almond. Vegetarian and nut-free options.
Deer & Dough Bakery Cafe is offering a spiced gingerbread hot chocolate made with a blend of cocoa powders, house-made gingerbread syrup, and spices, topped with chantilly whipped cream, a red hot candy heart, a gingerbread man, and a cinnamon stick, with gluten-free, vegetarian, and nut-free options.
Beacon Brewing in Sidney is offering three rotating hot chocolate-inspired beers through the month of February. The base of all three will be a chocolate stout, with rotating flavours of peppermint, marshmallow, and Mexican hot chocolate. These options are vegetarian and nut-free.
L’Apero Wine and Cheese Bistro is featuring a hot chocolate fondue. Guests will discover how cheese and chocolate pair together, featuring Belgian dark and milk chocolate with red wine reduction and three fine cheeses for dipping. Dietary options include gluten-free, vegetarian, and nut-free.
