Who decided hot chocolate should only be enjoyed when it’s cold outside? Lake Champlain Chocolates Local favorite: Lake Champlain Chocolates has a frozen version that’s equally appealing on a warm Vermont afternoon, and it’s one of my favorite excuses to stop for something sweet while exploring Burlington.
Frozen hot chocolate takes the rich, chocolatey flavor of traditional drinking chocolate and blends it into a cold, creamy treat. Think somewhere between a chocolate milkshake and an iced chocolate drink, with a more concentrated cocoa flavor than your typical frozen beverage.
And considering Lake Champlain Chocolates has been making some of Vermont’s best chocolate since 1983, it’s no surprise that they know what they’re doing.
While the company has several retail locations around Vermont, I’d recommend visiting its flagship store on Pine Street in Burlington’s South End. It’s much more than a chocolate shop, with a café, bakery and an impressive selection of treats to bring home.
Frozen Hot Chocolate Is the Reason to Visit
I’m a big fan of hot chocolate, but I don’t necessarily want a steaming cup of it in July. That’s where frozen hot chocolate comes in.
Lake Champlain Chocolates is known for its rich drinking chocolates, which offer a more substantial cocoa flavor than the powdered mixes many of us grew up drinking.
The frozen version brings that same chocolate-forward flavor into a refreshing drink that’s particularly enjoyable after an afternoon exploring Burlington.
I love that it doesn’t need a dozen toppings to make it interesting. When the chocolate itself is this good, there’s no reason to overcomplicate things.
And if you’re a serious chocolate lover, I’d also recommend trying the company’s Old World Drinking Chocolate during the colder months. It’s wonderfully rich and much closer to sipping melted chocolate than a traditional mug of cocoa.
Visit the Lake Champlain Chocolates Flagship Store on Pine Street
The Pine Street location is my favorite place to visit Lake Champlain Chocolates, particularly because there’s so much more to browse than the café menu.
Located in Burlington’s South End Arts District, the flagship store combines a chocolate shop with a café and bakery, making it a fun stop even if you’re not planning to purchase a box of truffles.
The retail space is filled with chocolate bars, handcrafted truffles, caramels and seasonal treats. I have a hard time walking through without finding something to bring home, particularly the sea salt caramels.
The bakery offers another reason to visit, with pastries and other sweet treats to enjoy alongside coffee or chocolate drinks.
And if you’re shopping for gifts, Lake Champlain Chocolates has beautifully packaged assortments that make wonderful hostess gifts, holiday presents or little treats for someone who could use a pick-me-up.
More Chocolate Treats to Try
Frozen hot chocolate might be the reason I stop, but there are plenty of other options on the menu.
The café serves traditional hot chocolate, peppermint hot chocolate, Aztec hot chocolate with cinnamon and cayenne, and an intense dark drinking chocolate made with 70% cocoa.
For coffee lovers, the Old World Mocha combines espresso with rich drinking chocolate.
And during warmer months, don’t overlook the house-made ice cream. Flavors have included Legendary Chocolate, Maple Butter Pecan and Salted Caramel, along with rotating seasonal selections.
You can also try a Champwich, an ice cream sandwich made with cookies and your choice of ice cream.
I’d recommend browsing the entire café menu before ordering, particularly if you’re visiting with someone who isn’t as chocolate-obsessed as I am.
Make It Part of a Burlington South End Afternoon
One of the benefits of visiting Lake Champlain Chocolates on Pine Street is its location.
Burlington’s South End is full of independent businesses, art studios, antique shops and breweries, making it easy to spend a few hours exploring.
I’d recommend stopping at Barge Canal Market to browse vintage rugs and home decor, then visiting some of the nearby galleries and shops.
If you’re in the mood for something savory afterward, Zero Gravity and Queen City Brewery are both farther down Pine Street, with excellent Vermont craft beer and food options.
And during warmer months, the Burlington Farmers Market is another wonderful reason to spend time in the neighborhood.
What to Know Before You Go
- Location
- <Entity ref=”turn365607business0″ category=”business” value={turn365607business0.name}/> at {turn365607business0.address}.
- Hours
- Open daily, 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
- What to Order
- Ask about the frozen hot chocolate, or try the Old World Drinking Chocolate, a mocha or one of the house-made ice cream flavors.
- Frozen Hot Chocolate Availability
- The frozen drink isn’t currently listed on the standard café menu, so confirm availability before making a special trip.
- Chocolate Shopping
- Browse truffles, Five Star Bars, sea salt caramels and discounted factory seconds. You can also build your own gift box.
- Chocolate Tastings
- The Pine Street flagship offers guided tastings where you can learn about chocolate and sample a selection of confections. Advance booking is recommended.
- Parking
- Free customer parking is available.
- Other Locations
- Lake Champlain Chocolates also has cafés on Church Street in Burlington, in Stowe Village and in Waterbury Center.
- Phone
- 802-864-1807The Pine Street store is more than a quick stop for a frozen chocolate drink. Between the café, the chocolate tastings and the retail selection, there’s plenty to enjoy if you have a little extra time in Burlington’s South End.
And I can rarely resist picking up a few sea salt caramels for the road.
Talk with locals
Comments
Be the first to chime in
Been here? Your tip could save the next visitor a wrong turn.