The Gold Coast Bulletin

5 OF THE BEST HOT CHOCOLATES

Smooth, rich, dark or white, hot chocolates keep us warm at night. Amber Macpherson has found the Gold Coast’s best hot chocolates to keep you toasty from the inside out

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ELK ESPRESSO Oasis Shopping Centre, Broadbeach

Broadbeach institutio­n Elk Espresso serves up an almost science experiment of a hot chocolate. Materials: a chocolate sphere encasing a hidden vanilla-bean marshmallo­w and a jug of hot chocolate milk. Method: pour the milk over the sphere and watch the ingredient­s melt, dissolve and liquefy. Result: hot chocolate heaven. “Who doesn’t like something reinvented especially when chocolate is involved?” Elk Espresso owner Andrew Whiting says. “Our hot chocolate sphere allows you to take control with a jug of chocolate milk pouring it over the chocolate sphere with vanilla-bean marshmallo­ws inside. We also have a peppermint chocolate sphere on offer at the moment. We love our hot chocolates — we have Lindt hot chocolates and white chocolates too.”

SAN CHURRO 147 Brisbane Rd, Biggera Waters

San Churro has more than a dozen hot choc hits to tempt your tastebuds. There’s the thick Spanish style with a hint of chilli, or try some white chocolate warmth, plus the peanut butter melt, even an Aztec. On top of that, some of the drinks can be made completely vegan or sugar-free. “You can upgrade hot chocolates with marshmallo­ws, cream or ice cream,” San Churro assistant manager Camilla Severo says. “Milk chocolate is the most popular.”

PARADOX 10 Beach Road, Surfers Paradise

Now you can have your cake and drink it too, as roasting legends Paradox Coffee serve a hot chocolate with a twist — the red velvet hot choc. “It has that same subtle taste as velvet cake,” Paradox general manager Darren Langen says. “It’s hot chocolate with a little kick, made from a single origin cocoa bean, with beetroot and vanilla for a creamy texture. People quite like it because it has real vanilla bean and more complex flavours.”

MAX BRENNER Australia Fair, Scarboroug­h St, Southport

Not only does Max Brenner offer four hot chocolates in milk, dark or white, but you can go crazy with waffle balls, Mexican spice, mint or coconut. The sips are served in the iconic hug mug, perfectly shaped to get your mitts around. Marketing manager Michiel Knuysen says it’s the ultimate chocolate experience. “Guests can indulge in our decadent Italian thick, or treat themselves by adding American marshmallo­ws or crunchy waffle balls.”

CANTEEN COFFEE 23 Park Ave, Burleigh Heads

Canteen Kitchen and Coffee in Burleigh Heads boasts a menu of Middle Eastern influence in a European cafe-style setting. However, its hot drinks served from the attached barista bar steal the show, and the sweet, wholesome hot chocolate is no exception. Using cocoa sourced from West Africa and vanilla from Madagascar, the worldly flavours blend to create a soulful drink that’s smooth and sultry.

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