Nothing is more satisfying than that first drink of piping hot chocolate after a cold day on the slopes. It will warm you from your head to the tip of your toes. Below are a list of our favorite places to have hot chocolate in Vail Village. Each has its own unique flair.
1) For A High-End, Culinary Experience: Four Seasons and The Sebastian
The hot chocolate from these two incredible high-end hotels is reminiscent of that served in little European cafes. This hot chocolate is not only delicious, but is a culinary experience to behold! Kick up your feet after skiing and indulge. I recommend relaxing at one of the fire pits located on the deck of the Four Seasons’ Remedy Bar.
A) Four Seasons Hot Chocolate ($16/cup; $28 for 2)
The Remedy Bar
Take in the relaxing ambience of the Four Seasons, as a silver platter arrives at your table. On this platter is a porcelain coffee cup adorned with a hand-spun dark chocolate lattice – topped with an oversized square marshmallow. Watch as they both slowly melt when a mixture of Valrhona chocolate and hot steamed milk are poured over them from a traditional French chocolate pot. Although it is expensive, it is well worth the experience.
B) The Sebastian Signature Hot Chocolate ($18/cup)
You will be served with a clear glass cup filled with a golf ball-size, gold dusted sphere of handmade Valrhona milk chocolate. Watch as a mix of dark hot cocoa spiced with cinnamon, cardamon, cloves, and star anise is poured from a porcelain pot. Like magic, the sphere melts and introduces marshmallows and pearls of chocolate into the decadent mix.
2) Best Boozy Hot Chocolate: The George Vail
One of my favorite things to do on a Friday night in Vail Village is lounging in one of The George’s booths with friends. The George is a local hotspot for sure. Not only do they offer delicious food and drinks, but they do so at an affordable price. The George is also a great place to watch sporting events and play a round of pool or darts. My two favorite boozy hot chocolates are the “Chocolate Orange” and the “Schnappy Dressser.” As an adult, what could be better than hot chocolate mixed with alcohol after a long day on the slopes? Nothing. Except maybe watching a footballl game and chatting with friends while drinking it.
3) Best Slopeside Hot Chocolate: The Gorsuch Cafe (Large, $5)
The most Instagrammable, slopeside hot chocolate award goes to The Gorsuch Cafe. This cafe is only steps from American Ski Exchange. Come into our shop to grab your equipment for the day and head up the stairs to The Gorsuch Cafe. You will be seconds from Gondola One in the heart of Vail Village. Sit at one of the tables – adorned with fancy, festive, red lanterns – and enjoy your hot chocolate while watching people ski down the mountain (specifically down Pepi’s Face). They offer a classic hot chocolate – steamed milk and chocolate sauce topped with whipped cream. If you are feeling adventurous, try the Mexican Hot Chocolate – milk steamed with a blend of Mexican cacao, cinnamon, and spices topped with whipped cream. The hot chocolate even comes in an adorable cup printed with skiers racing down the mountain. Hungry? Grab a pastry, croissant, or deli sandwich. It is a great stop on the way to the mountain.
We’re sure you’ll love the hot chocolate at any of these fine Vail establishments–but if coffee is more your thing, be sure to check out our blog on the best coffee shops in Vail!
