A hot chocolate from Acoustic Café that includes its wonderful whipped cream show and chocolate drizzle.
There’s something oddly comforting about heat drinks when Wisconsin’s chilly wind begins to eat by means of my layers and layers of coats and scarves. For me, that drink is hot chocolate, particularly as a result of I don’t drink espresso.
As a fourth-year scholar at UW-Eau Claire with quite a lot of winter walks underneath my belt, I’ve slowly acquired a private rating of my go-to hot cocoa stops throughout city.
I didn’t go into this journey hoping to be a connoisseur, however after sufficient mugs full of whipped cream, topped with chocolate drizzle and the occasional disappointment, I noticed that not all hot sweets are created equal.
From the over-the-top whipped lotions to essentially the most humble and nostalgic, right here is my tackle Eau Claire’s hot chocolate scene and my sudden winner that silently sweeps the board.
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Through the years, what began as an off-the-cuff indulgence became one thing extra intentional. I started to note some of the smaller variations between the hot cocoas: the richness of the chocolate, the creaminess of the milk, the vibe of the store, or the peak of the whipped cream.
Let’s begin with Acoustic Café, a downtown favourite and a frequent cease on a weekend or after class with associates.
Their hot chocolate is downright charming. There’s virtually a softness to the nice and cozy drink, like some how that they had captured the sensation of being underneath the covers at residence.
The actual star is the whipped cream, resting atop the hot chocolate just like the mounds of snow exterior. They observe it up with a drizzled chocolate syrup for that remaining good contact.
Subsequent up is The Goat Coffee House. I get pleasure from it for its barely rustic vibe and its social nature. I usually discover myself working into individuals I do know right here, and it additionally serves a dependable cup of cocoa.
It’s not overly sugary, which I recognize, particularly after I’m trying for one thing to sip on whereas finding out for finals or after I’m catching up with associates. It’s a superb recreation of a childhood basic.
Then there’s the hot chocolate I make on the Children’s Museum of Eau Claire throughout my shifts. It’s nothing fancy: a paper cup, a packet of Swiss Miss, hot water. And but, there’s one thing good about it.
Possibly it’s the enjoyment of being round playful youngsters and households. Possibly it’s the simplicity. Possibly it’s the little break it offers me after I’m busy. No matter it’s, it deserves a spot in my rating.
However my favourite?
It’s from Perkins. No bells or whistles. Simply heat creamy hot chocolate in a white mug, served with a smile.
It doesn’t attempt to impress. It simply reveals up, dependable, heat and ready. Particularly in essentially the most busy weeks of my scholar life, there’s something deeply invaluable within the simplicity it offers me.
I’ll drink it when it’s 9 p.m. after a protracted day or at 9 a.m. with my boyfriend throughout the desk along with his black espresso. At any time when it’s, it tastes like consolation.
It could be essentially the most unassuming of all of them, however for me, it’s the gold commonplace of my consolation drink.
With so many extra good espresso spots on the town which can be nonetheless left to strive, I do know my hot chocolate journey is way from over.
Stephenson could be reached at [email protected].