Warming up: Hot Cocoa and Hot Chocolate on Martha’s Vineyard

Discover where to warm up this cold winter with the island’s most comforting and chocolate-based drinks

Espresso Love

New England is well known for our cold winters, so those of us that live here, along with visitors to the island, are often looking for ways to warm up during those brrrr days. 
 
First, let’s talk about the difference between hot cocoa and hot chocolate. Although sometimes used interchangeably, they are two different things: 

• Hot cocoa is made with a powdered chocolate, whether it’s a mix of chocolate and sugar, sometimes along with spices, or just pure ground chocolate, hot cocoa will always start with a dry powder. It’s usually sweetener and thinner than hot chocolate; 
• Hot chocolate is made with a ganache, solid chocolate or chocolate syrup, meaning that hot milk is mixed with a chocolate/cream/sugar syrup or a ganache of chocolate and cream. Due to the high fat content of chocolate, it is a richer beverage than it’s counterpart, hot cocoa. 

Edgartown Meat & Fish

Below we have listed ten coffee shops on island that you can get your hot cocoa or hot chocolate fix, alongside baked goods and other treats that one would want paired with their hot, chocolate infused drink: 

1. Behind the Bookstore - open during the season, BTB makes their own ganache syrup to create their hot chocolate drinks and espresso mocha drinks and it really makes a difference! 
   
   
2. Black Dog Bakery - using a powdered Baker’s Chocolate mix, they create a flavorful drink that is even better when paired with a slice of their cakes. 
   
   
3. Edgartown Meat and Fish Market - with it being the only Starbucks location, it’s safe to say they use the Starbucks Mocha Sauce resulting in a delectable beverage to warm up with.
   
   
4. Espresso Love - Espresso Love in Edgartown uses chocolate syrup mixed with hot milk to create a lovely chocolate drink.
   
   
5. Little House Cafe - they make their hot chocolate with a chocolate syrup (not Hershey’s) of high quality, resulting in a rich and creamy drink. 
   
   
6. Mocha Motts - they are one of the few places that make real whipped cream to top their drinks - and who doesn’t love freshly whipped cream?! Plus their Frosted Mint Hot Chocolate and their White Hot Chocolate offer a creative take on the traditional.
   
   
7. Murdick’s Fudge - the beloved fudge shop knows their chocolate, and they make quite possibly the best hot chocolate on-Island. Look out for it during Christmas in Edgartown and savor every sip! 
   
   
8. Nat’s Nook - they make their hot chocolate with a sweetened chocolate syrup but the important thing is that you pair that drink with a delicious crepe!
   
   
9. Rosewater Market - enjoy a cup of hot chocolate or kick it up a notch with their Holiday Cinnamon Cayenne Mocha.
   
   
10. Waterside Market - grab a seat at Waterside Market and indulge in a delicious hot chocolate.    
    

Photo: Elizabeth Cecil