FROTHY FRIDAY: CAMP WASHINGTON CHILI

Get your hot chocolate and coneys all in one stop! One of the fabulous staples of Cincinnati, Camp Washington Chili has been serving up classic chili and spaghetti dishes since 1940. Also known for their double-decker sandwiches, this 24/6 diner offers up a tall cup of cocoa to keep you warm long after you finish your Three Way.

A no-frills beverage, Camp Washington's hot chocolate comes in their signature styrofoam cup and is made with hot water and milk chocolate. Thin to the taste but large in portion, this cocoa is great to knab if you're in a hurry or are craving the beverage at all hours of the night.

 

FROTHY FRIDAY: CAFE LANG THANG

One of the last places you would expect to find hot chocolate is in a Vietnamese restaurant, but at Cafe Lang Thang, you can have your congee and cocoa all in one stop. Brought to you by the trio that created Pho Lang Thang and Quan Hapa, Cafe Lang Thang is their latest eatery specializing in breakfast and lunch... and hot chocolate.

Available in small and large cups, Cafe stirs up a thin, wispy cocoa. Made with milk chocolate and a smooth finish, this is the perfect pick-me-up on a cold day. Located in Over-the-Rhine adjacent to the School for Creative and Performing Arts and just down the street from Washington Park, treat yourself to a cocoa at Cafe Lang Thang as you retreat from the snow.

FROTHY FRIDAY: BOOKSELLERS

Another weekend, another Polar Vortex. Why not curl up with a good book and sip on some hot chocolate? Stop by The Booksellers at Fountain Square to pick up a new read and grab a hot beverage from their cafe. Blended with dark chocolate and any milk or non-milk alternative of your choice, Booksellers's cocoa has a thin consistency with a smooth finish and comes with or without whipped cream. A crowd favorite is the Peppermint Hot Chocolate, but you can add any flavor of your choosing from their selection of coffee syrups.

FROTHY FRIDAY: TUCKER'S

My absolute favorite drink in the city right now is the hot chocolate at Tucker's Restaurant. Known for their made-from-scratch breakfast and lunch menu, Tucker's also makes a fabulous beverage. Served in a 20-ounce takeaway cup, their milk chocolate cocoa comes topped with whipped cream, chocolate fudge, and rainbow sprinkles. The drink is served just at the right temperature, with toppings so bountiful, they last until the cup is almost empty.

FROTHY FRIDAY: NEWBERRY BROS. COFFEE

Brand new to the coffeehouse scene is Newberry Bros., located in none other than - you guessed it - Newport. I knew I was in for a treat with all these puns. Arriving at my table was a huge cup bowl of hot chocolate overflowing with whipped cream. As foam balanced on the rim, it was clear that this was real whipped cream, a rare commodity in a world of Cool Whip. Thick and rich, the piles of sweet whipped cream complimented the milk chocolate beverage beneath. If you're in a rush, you can certainly get a takeaway cup of cocoa instead, but with Newberry Bros. quiet view of the Mansion Hill District of Northern Kentucky, why not sip and stay a while?

FROTHY FRIDAY: COFFEE EMPORIUM

Hyde Park or Central Parkway, Coffee Emporium locations are known for some of the best pick-me-up drinks in town. No different is their hot chocolate, available year-round and always amazing: a creamy blend of milk chocolate with the perfect amount of marshmallows piled on top. You can even get whipped cream swirled on the marshmallows if you so desire. With an assortment of flavorings for their coffee drinks, you can get creative with your cocoa by adding a squirt of raspberry, peppermint, hazelnut, or any of their other syrups on hand. With both small and large sized cups, the possibilities are endless.

FROTHY FRIDAY: 1215 COFFEE LAB

Inspired by the recent snowstorm, CincyWhimsy is kicking off Frothy Fridays: a series of posts about the best hot chocolate in Cincinnati. Who can resist a warming up with a steamy cup of decadent cocoa?

While 1215 Vine Street may be better known for their wine bar, the other half of this operation dabbles in hot drinks and caffeinated beverages. On a chilly winter night in Over-The-Rhine, look no further for that comforting cup of cocoa. A creamy milk chocolate blend comes topped with a design created by the barista using milk. Commonly called Latte Art, these fun designs can jazz up a hot chocolate just as well.  It's all about the symmetry of the pour. You know you've had an excellent drink when the leaf design stays put all the way to the last sip.