Your Guide to the 2025 Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival
Posted on: January 23, 2025
They say that chocolate is happiness that you can eat – but what about if you drink it?
From February 6th to the 26th 2025, get ready to dive deep into the tantalizing world of delicious hot chocolate once again at the 5th Annual Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival
Are you ready to taste the unique and delicious hot chocolates dreamed up by Squamish's finest local craft creators? PLUS, some have added dessert pairings that will tempt your taste buds and awaken your senses.
Be sure to make the rounds and visit each locale, sipping and appreciating each hot chocolate for its presentation, flavour, creativity and overall appeal. In the end though, the only judge in this devilishly decadent experiment is you.
TIPS TO DO IT RIGHT:
- Make a plan
- Pace it out
- Share with friends
- Post on social!
We have more participants than ever this year - 26 in total - and you've got exactly 26 days to try them all.
HOT CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL PASSPORT:
Pick up your collectible limited addition Hot Chocolate Festival Passport at the Squamish Adventure Centre. Limited number available OR download a digital passport from our website or Instagram. (COMING SOON)
If you collect 10 or more stamps and submit your tasting passport*, you're name will be entered to win a sweet, custom-coloured Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival Paddleboard we have nicknamed 'SUP-er Mocha'!
Be sure to follow @SquamishHotChocolateFestival and tag us in your posts.
Pro Tip: In addition to tagging the festival, there is a special GIF! Just search 'Squamish' in the GIF search bar and you'll see several options for the Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival.
*Please submit your tasting passports at the Squamish Adventure Centre. Digital passports can be submitted via DM to the @SquamishHotChocolateFestival Instagram account.
SOUTH SQUAMISH:
Chatterbox Café at the Britannia Mine Museum:
Gold Hot Chocolate: A decadent Hot Chocolate for their milestone 50th anniversary celebration - hot chocolate with golden sprinkles and two golden coins! The Chatterbox Café is located just outside of the museum. While admission isn't required, we do recommend a visit to the underground wonders of this National Historic Site.
Copper Beach Bar + Kitchen: NEW this year, we welcome Copper Beach Bar to Squamish and the Hot Chocolate Festival! Baileys Delight: a rich and velvety Cadbury's hot cocoa infused with the smooth warmth of Baileys Irish Cream, topped with whipped cream, fluffy marshmallows, and a sprinkle of chocolate, it’s pure comfort in a cup with an irresistible Irish twist. For non-alcoholic hot chocolates, please inquire.
The Bacon Royale: Always looking to push the boundaries of sweet treats, they have combined the best of both our worlds to bring you The Bacon Royale - a salted caramel hot chocolate topped with caramel whipped cream and drizzle, black sea salt and served with a bacon twist.
Summit Lodge at the Sea to Sky Gondola:
The Peak Indulgence: Taste this very special house-made Italian style creamy hot cocoa, made with rich dark chocolate and sea salt, topped with oreo crumble, chocolate sprinkles and a cinnamon sugar churro. You will need to head to the summit of the Gondola to snag this tasty concoction. Chocolate with a stunning view is something dreams are made of.
Mexican Hot Chocolate: New to the festival this year, enjoy a traditional Mexican hot chocolate specially prepared with a blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, star anise and pepper. Pick your choice of milk or even try it with horchata! This drink will warm up your body AND your soul. Add a churro for the full package!
The Petal Pusher: You'll need to try this Instagram-worthy botanical beauty featuring melted white chocolate blended with lavender, blue spirulina and butterfly flowers.
DOWNTOWN SQUAMISH
The Chocolate BS: Making a splash on the scene this year is The Broken Seal, featuring their divine drink that includes roasted hazelnut, dark chocolate and dates, all topped with coconut whip and garnished with a house made S’mores. Make it alcoholic for a boozy version that includes Diplomatico Rum and Licor 43!
COMING SOON.
Toasted Marshmallow Hot Chocolate OR Vegan Banana Bread Hot Chocolate: Choose between these 2 creative and delicious drinks, each featuring housemade syrups (toasted marshmallow or banana bread), and milk and dark chocolate sauces. Paired with a mini cake doughnut dipped in chocolate with toasted marshmallow fluff or vegan chocolate chunk banana bread cookie. Wow!
Italian Hot Chocolate or Mandarin Olive Oil Hot Chocolate: Head to this local cafe and market to try a traditional Italian hot chocolate topped with chocolate mascarpone cream and Tozzetti al Cioccolato from Umbria OR their vegan Mandarin olive oil hot chocolate paired with a honey and olive oil pasteli from Kalamata. Uniquely made from ingredients sourced from small producers in Italy and Greece!
Chocolate De Leche: Another NEW participant this year is this heart-warming community pay-it-forward cafe, The Ledge, featuring a steamed milk hot chocolate topped with Dulce De Leche whipped cream.
The SnowMallow: A rich, velvety toasted marshmallow-infused cocoa, topped with a fluffy winter snowball-shaped cotton candy bomb. As it melts into your drink, it creates a creamy, caramelized sweetness that swirls through every sip. This cozy, decadent treat combines the magic of toasted marshmallows with the whimsical fun of cotton candy snowball in one irresistible cup!
COMING SOON.
The Lucky Trix: Always extra-creative, this year Sunflower offers a whimsical twist on hot chocolate with this dreamy, velvety white hot chocolate is infused with the nostalgic flavors of Lucky Charms and Trix cereal, creating a rich and creamy blend that tastes like childhood in a cup. Topped with a mountain of fluffy whipped cream, and a colorful sprinkle of crunchy cereal pieces, every sip is a magical mix of fun and flavour.
Coconut Cloud Hot Chocolate: NEW to the festival this year, the folks at Tacofino are offering a soothing blend of cinnamon, clove and ginger hot chocolate, topped with a decadent coconut marshmallow cloud and served with a mini 'diablo' cookie.
CENTRAL SQUAMISH
Take your pick between two options:
Billionaire’s Shortbread Hot Chocolate: Made with regular dairy milk and 38% Callebaut milk chocolate. Topped with whipped cream, a sprinkle of slightly salted shortbread and crushed candied pecans. Served with a caramel rimmed miniature cone of their billionaire’s shortbread ice cream. What is Billionaire’s Shortbread Ice Cream? Think salted caramel and golden chocolate ganache with salty shortbread chunks and crunchy candied pecans mixed in. Yum!
Strawberry Chocolate Chip Hot Chocolate: Made with oat milk, 55% Callebaut dark chocolate and topped with coconut whip. Finished off with a drizzle of strawberry coulis and a dust of dark chocolate. Served with a chocolate rimmed miniature cone of their dairy-free strawberry chocolate chip ice cream.
Dark Cherry Hot Chocolate: Be sure to stop in to try this Black Cherry Hot Chocolate, topped with chocolate shavings paired with a divine mini chocolate and vanilla custard tart.
Ground Up Climbing Centre Cafe:
Biscoff Boulder Choc: A Biscoff flavoured dark hot chocolate, with whipped cream, a chocolate rock topping, and a Biscoff cookie! Stick around and do some indoor climbing after your indulgence.
Italian Hot Chocolate: A rich and flavourful Italian hot chocolate with pistachio cream and served with biscotti.
Choco Remedy: An alcholic (but can be made booze-free) hot chocolate made with cashew milk, cacao butter, cacao husk, cacao powder, agave syrup, topped with a cream concocted from lotus seeds, lily bulb, milk thistle seed & sugar. Garnished with tonka beans, monk fruit dust, and a cinnamon sugar rice puff for dipping. The boozy version features walnut-infused Bourbon - yum!
Mountain Berry Drift: Back by popular demand but with a twist that makes it even better! Experience the perfect winter escape with Ridehub's 'Mountain Berry Drift', a rich hot chocolate swirled with luscious blackberry syrup, topped with fluffy whipped cream and fresh blackberries—all served in a crispy waffle bowl. Sip, savour, and crunch your way through this sweet mountain adventure!
Pistacio Hot Chocolate: Warm up with this mix of dark chocolate and pistachio, topped with whip cream, and dusted with raspberry. Smooth and mellow, it's the perfect balance of sweet and nutty. Pair it with our heart shaped raspberry shortbread, dipped in dark chocolate, and topped with crushed pistachios.
Lost In The Fog: Indulge in a handcrafted London Fog Hot Chocolate. Made with rich, velvety house-made chocolate syrup with Earl Grey infused steamed milk. Topped with a dreamy meringue cloud and served alongside a charming Scottish shortbread teapot, this treat is the perfect balance of sweetness, delicate flavours and a touch of home comforts. AVAILABLE ONLY FEB 22nd & 23rd at the Treat Squamish commissary kitchen located at 38927 Queens Way, Unit 11.
NORTH SQUAMISH
Dark Chocolate Ganache Malted Hot Chocolate: This decadent drink is topped with toasted marshmallow and served with an almond biscotti
Zephyr at the Brackendale Art Gallery:
Hot Raspberry Dream: Choose white or dark chocolate for the base, with an added raspberry swirl and topped with whipped cream and freeze dried raspberries. Refreshing!
Chai Spiced Harmony: A cozy and indulgent twist on a winter classic, featuring rich cocoa blended with warming spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger, perfectly complemented by a soft, buttery chai spice cookie. Perfect for locals and visitors alike, it’s an ideal treat to enjoy while exploring the beauty of Squamish in winter. Come for the hot chocolate, stay for the breakfast.
Wicked Hot Chocolate: Dive into a delicious Matcha White Hot Chocolate topped with whipped strawberry milkshake cream, miso cookie crumbs and freeze-dried strawberries.
Nashville Spiced Hot Chocolate: A new twist on a tradition, this drink is seasoned with special flavours then mixed with house-made hot chocolate and served with a churro donut.
Level up your chocolate intake and see what that makes you:
1-5 Hot Chocolates: Crazy for Cocoa
6-14 Hot Chocolates: Chocolate Monster
15-22 Hot Chocolates: King/Queen of the Chocolate Kingdom
Tick off 10 or more drinks off your Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival Tasting Passport and you could win the GRAND PRIZE!
Once you've completed all your tastings, drop off your passport to the Squamish Adventure Centre OR DM the @Squamishhotchocolatefestival account with your completed screenshot.
You're name will be entered to win a sweet, custom designed Squamish Hot Chocolate Festival Cruiser bike! We call her 'Cocoa'.
Milky or dark, white or all the colours of the rainbow, pinnacles of whipped cream or foamed to perfection, we can’t wait to taste each location's dreamy confectionary concoctions.
