From hot cocoa to hot chocolate

I have a needy sweet tooth. I inherited this from my Nana and my mother. It's a sweet tooth that just adores chocolate but it's also a little fussy.

Hot Cocoa

When I was little, not too long ago...my dad would always make us a hot cup of cocoa after swimming club. It was raw in its flavour but smooth and always so so hot. He would cook it up in a saucepan on the stove. My brother, sister and I would wait eagerly while he stirred and tasted.

Dad would serve the cocoa in a large mug and it was always so hot that we couldn't drink it. It was to be sipped and appreciated.

These days I've really struggled to find hot cocoa in the coffee shops of Brisbane. What you find is the Hot Chocolate, which can be just as pleasurable but in the cold months a real hot cup of cocoa could go down like a treat!

Where can you find hot cocoa now besides in your own kitchen?

Well, I recently went on the hunt for it in New York City, quite a trip from my hometown of Brisbane but I just happened to be in town on business. I did encounter the hot cocoa in New York City three times and if you really dig your coco these are the places to try it if you happen to be in the Big Apple:

• Vosges Haut Chocolat - Soho - 132 Spring St. New York
  You can't miss this little treasure as Spring St is the main drag for Soho. Beautifully decorated in purple, you're lured in to try all the chocolate samples on offer. There are a range of hot chocolates to try or purchase.
  
  The experience....very hot cocoa, smooth, rich flavour, and friendly service. Affordable.
  

• Lunettes et Chocolat - Soho - 25 Prince St. New York, at Elizabeth St.
  Lunettes is probably my favourite place to drop in for hot cocoa.
  
  The first time I ventured into Lunettes was in 2005 with my sister who lives in the USA. The USA really knows how to put on a great show with its specialty shops. This is the kind of shop where you could stand all day and just view the displays. You can purchase a $15 block of chocolate, screen printed with Monroe's image.
  
  I had Mexican Hot Cocoa and it was by far the one true ultimately divine experience I have ever had with a cup of scorching hot chocolate. Although, expensive, you're able to sample all the chocolates and drinking chocolates available.
  
  The experience...intense, intoxicating, sensational.
  

Hot chocolate

So having had a little gripe about the lack of traditional hot cocoa on the streets of Brisbane, I can say there are some places that provide a very tasty hot chocolate. Here they are:

• Dancing Bean - George Street, Brisbane - Moderately warm, rich, great service, and they'll throw in two marshmallows.
  

So what's my criteria?

1. The flavouring - quality chocolate flavouring, must be rich and smooth, not weak
2. The temperature - must be hot, can't be drunk in 1 minute, it has to be enjoyed and appreciated
3. Extras - friendly service, offering of free marshmallows or a mint stick