Warm Up to Winter with a Hot Beverage
As the weather turns colder and our noses turn pink, a cup of hot chocolate can warm you up like the coziest of blankets in front of a warm fire.
Whether topped with marshmallows or whipped cream, this beverage is a staple among many in the cold Michigan months.
We polled our readers on the best spots to snag a hot cup of chocolatey goodness and have listed the best of the best.
We are also on board with the latest beverage craze: hot chocolate bombs.
Read on to find out what they are, and where you can find them in Kalamazoo.
In this Article
What is a Hot Cocoa Bomb?
Hot chocolate or hot cocoa bombs are balls of chocolate, typically filled with cocoa and marshmallows.
The bombs are placed in a mug, with hot milk poured over the top to make a delicious, chocolatey drink.
Part of the fun is just watching them melt in your cup before consuming them.
We recommend calling ahead to confirm availability. Also, flavors may rotate daily so verify your favorites are in stock.
Here’s where you can find hot chocolate bombs near Kalamazoo:
Cherri’s Chocol’art
101 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007
269-998-7339
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: chai, peppermint, spice, and peanut butter, made with homemade hot chocolate mix & homemade marshmallows
Schultz’s Treat Street
3023 Oakland Dr, Kalamazoo MI 49008
269-743-7137
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: double chocolate, mint chocolate, white chocolate chai, white chocolate cappuccino, cupcake celebration
GG Sweets
210 E Michigan Ave, Ste 102, Paw Paw MI 49079
(269) 415-0874
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: White chocolate, milk chocolate, dark chocolate
Maui Poke
310 N Drake Rd, Kalamazoo MI 49009
269-532-1223
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: milk chocolate, caramel latte, cookies and cream, mocha, vanilla, vanilla chai latte
Sweet Bee’s Gluten and Dairy Free Bake Shop
228 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw MI 49079
269-415-0020
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: sugar-free chocolate, dairy-free white chocolate
Location update: Sweet Bee’s Bakeshop will be relocating to Portage, to join their new plant-based restaurant, Glofoods.
The Garden Griddle
217 E Michigan Ave, Paw Paw MI 49079
269-415-0036
Hot Chocolate Bomb Flavors: milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, chai
Directory: Kalamazoo Hot Chocolate Shops
Whether you’re team cocoa or team hot chocolate, the Kalamazoo area offers a variety of restaurants and cafes to pick up your favorite chocolate beverage.
Before we jump into our readers’ favorite spots, a question: hot chocolate or hot cocoa?
Is it hot chocolate or hot cocoa?
According to beverage aficionados, there is a difference.
Hot cocoa is typically thinner and made with cocoa powder, while hot chocolate is made from melted chocolate and is thicker due to the cocoa butter in its ingredients.
Cherri’s Chocol’art
101 S Kalamazoo Mall, Kalamazoo MI 49007
269-998-7339
Cherri owned a fine arts gallery for over thirty years; her love of chocolate and art is evident in the turtles, salted caramels, and other decadent options.
Hot chocolate here is made from scratch with homemade marshmallows.
Chocolatea
642 S Westnedge Ave, Portage, MI 49002
269-903-2447
Although known for its vast tea selection, Chocolatea also serves sandwiches, quiches, and desserts (macarons being a favorite of many).
Chocolatea also uses Michigan-made homemade marshmallows in its drinks.
Confections with Conviction
116 W Crosstown Pkwy #101, Kalamazoo MI 49008
269-381-9700
This shop is proudly “Pure Michigan” with sourcing the majority of its ingredients locally from farmers. They also make all confections by hand using organic, fair-trade chocolate.
Factory Coffee
13 E Frank St, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
269-567-1000
Factory Coffee’s space is truly unique. Within the Reality Factory, Factory Coffee shares space with two other retailers: 1977 Mopeds and Grayling Ceramics.
Local Grind Coffee House
117 S Grove St, Delton MI 49046
269-623-5777
Located in Delton, this restaurant prides itself on great coffee and baked treats.
Mezzo Coffee House
100 W Allegan St, Otsego MI 49075
269-694-1545
Mezzo Coffee House serves breakfast and lunch, in addition to their beverages.
After enjoying a hearty helping of hot chocolate, peruse their marketplace for locally-made gifts and unique items.
Breakfast at Tiffany’s
5222 West Main Street, Kalamazoo MI 49009
269-226-9222
Check out a few flavors of Ghirardelli hot chocolate when you order a hot chocolate beverage flight. Hot chocolate flavors include orange, mint, raspberry, traditional and peppermint as a seasonal flavor. Which one will be your favorite?
Paradise Cafe
1693 South Westnedge, Kalamazoo MI 49008
269-459-9672
Indulge in a hot chocolate made with real melted chocolate. Their festive flavors are a delight. Pair their delicious drinks with their claim to fame: crepes made from scratch.
Did we miss one of your favorite places to get hot cocoa? If so, let us know in the comment section below and we’ll add them to this list.
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