Cups of hot chocolate from Sips Espresso Cafe, Jittery Joe’s, Starbucks and Condor Chocolates are pictured in a collage. Members of the ODYSSEY Media Group staff sampled hot chocolate from each of these restaurants to see which one served Athens’ best. Photos by Aza Khan, collage by Maya Shrivastav
After tasting hot chocolate from a variety of cafes around Athens, ODYSSEY Media Group staffers conclude that Condor Chocolates and Sips Espresso Cafe offer the best hot chocolates in town.
Cups of hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows from Condor Chocolates are shown. Condor’s hot chocolate was flavorful but deviated from the drink’s traditional taste. “The drink has a robust dark chocolate flavor, with strong, almost overpowering undertones of spices,” Variety Editor Isabella Westrich wrote. “It’s not especially sweet, which can be off-putting for those looking for a more traditional hot chocolate, but contributes to the drink’s overall taste.” Photo by Aza Khan
Condor Chocolates
Topped with cold foam teased into delicate patterns and chock full of flavor, local restaurant Condor Chocolates, located at 1658 Lumpkin St., provides a sophisticated hot chocolate. However, it may be too sophisticated to appeal to most customers.
The outside of Condor Chocolates is pictured. Located in Five Points, Condor provided a uniquely flavorful drink. “Due to its unique flavor, most customers will be able to tell that the hot chocolate is quality, but not all will enjoy it,” Variety Editor Isabella Westrich wrote. “Like an expensive cheese, the drink is strong enough that patrons will either love it or hate it.” Photo by Aza Khan
The drink has a robust dark chocolate flavor, with strong, almost overpowering undertones of spices. It’s not especially sweet, which can be off-putting for those looking for a more traditional hot chocolate, but contributes to the drink’s overall taste.
Due to its unique flavor, most customers will be able to tell that the hot chocolate is quality, but not all will enjoy it. Like an expensive cheese, the drink is strong enough that patrons will either love it or hate it.
Also unique are Condor’s homemade marshmallows and whipped cream, which are delicious and dissolve nicely into the drink.
Priced at $4, Condor’s one size offers a decent portion, leaving customers shocked that such an expensive-tasting drink is decently affordable.
Overall, Condor provides a hot chocolate that is far from traditional, but opinions on whether or not this is a good thing will vary greatly from customer to customer.
Sips Espresso Cafe is located at 1390 Prince Ave. The hot chocolate was creamy and served at a perfect temperature, which created an ideal tasting experience. “As for the flavor, the chocolate was rich and didn’t overpower the drink, balancing well with the sweetness. The hot chocolate was served at the ideal temperature filling the customer with warmth which lingered long after the drink was finished.” Photo by Aza Khan
Sips Espresso Cafe
Sips Espresso Cafe, located on 1390 Prince Ave., is a cozy shop decorated in poinsettias and lights. It offers a festive and sweet hot chocolate, making it perfect for the upcoming holiday season.
Sips Espresso Cafe is located at 1390 Prince Ave. Sips provided a comfortable drinking environment and creamy hot chocolate, which landed it in second place. “For those wanting to play it safe with a classic drink, this is a fitting option, as it has all the components hot chocolate should have and tasted good,” Variety Staffer Victoria Garland wrote. Photo by Aza Khan
The texture of the drink was perfect as it was creamy and fairly thick. In addition, it had cold foam on top, adding another layer that improved the drinking experience. Unfortunately, Sips didn’t offer any toppings, leaving customers with fewer chances to personalize their drink.
As for the flavor, the chocolate was rich and didn’t overpower the drink, balancing well with the sweetness. The hot chocolate was served at the ideal temperature, filling the customer with warmth which lingered long after the drink was finished.
Sizes include small, medium and large and range from $2.50 to $3, making the affordable drink well worth the price.
For those wanting to play it safe with a classic drink, this is a fitting option, as it has all the components hot chocolate should have and tasted good. The Sips hot chocolate flavor, feeling, richness and festivity make it a delicious way to get in the holiday spirit.
The front of Starbucks’ Alps Rd. location is shown. Although the restaurant offered several flavors of hot chocolate, the drink was simply average. “The drink has a robust chocolate flavor, but it’s not sweet enough to balance out into a well-rounded palate. Customers may find themselves bored with the drink halfway through, and it has a slight sour after taste.” Photo by Aza Khan
Starbucks
Starbucks, located at 196 Alps Rd, provides an absolutely average hot chocolate.
By virtue of being hot chocolate, the drink brings a quintessential coziness that all customers can enjoy. However, those looking for a more than okay taste may find themselves disappointed by Starbucks’ offering.
By virtue of being hot chocolate, the drink brings a quintessential coziness that all customers can enjoy. However, those looking for a more than okay taste may find themselves disappointed by Starbucks’ offering.
The drink has a robust chocolate flavor, but it’s not sweet enough to balance out into a well-rounded palate. Customers may find themselves bored with the drink halfway through, and it has a slight sour after taste.
The texture, on the other hand, is pleasant. Thicker than other hot chocolates but not overpowering, the creamy drink has a satisfying warming effect.
For those who want to spice things up, Starbucks also offers various flavors of hot chocolate including peppermint and white chocolate.
Starbucks offers tall, grande and venti sizes with prices from $2.75 to $3.45, making the average drink an averagely affordable price.
Overall, those just looking for a cozy pick-me-up will find themselves satisfied with Starbucks’ hot chocolate, but customers who want anything above average should head elsewhere.
Cups of Jittery Joe’s hot chocolate with and without whipped cream are pictured beside each other. While the local coffee shop’s unique ambiance was welcoming, the hot chocolate was unsatisfactory. “The drink is thin and watery, with none of the creamy texture one expects in hot chocolate. It is excessively sweet, with the sugary taste overpowering the flavor of chocolate and making it somewhat unappealing,” Webmaster Maya Shrivastav wrote. Photo by Aza Khan
Jittery Joe’s
Walking into Jittery Joe’s, located at 1230 S. Milledge Ave., one is greeted by the smell of coffee and soft music playing in the background.
The front of Jittery Joe’s is shown. Although the local coffee shop had a comfortable environment, its excessively sweet and watery hot chocolate failed to provide an appealing taste or texture for customers. “The drink is thin and watery, with none of the creamy texture one expects in hot chocolate,” Webmaster Maya Shrivastav wrote. “It is also excessively sweet, with the sugary taste overpowering the flavor of chocolate and making it somewhat unappealing.” Photo by Aza Khan
Unfortunately, the restaurant’s hot chocolate, which is available in small, medium, large and extra large sizes for prices ranging from $3.60 to $5.80, isn’t nearly as satisfactory as its welcoming environment.
The drink is thin and watery, with none of the creamy texture one expects in hot chocolate. It is also excessively sweet, with the sugary taste overpowering the flavor of chocolate and making it somewhat unappealing.
The hot chocolate can be served with or without whipped cream, but even this fails to improve its watered-down texture. Additionally, it is the only topping offered, unlike other restaurants that offer marshmallows and other topping options for their hot chocolate.
Altogether, though its various locations throughout Athens make Jittery Joe’s a convenient option, the coffee shop’s hot chocolate falls short in flavor and texture.
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