Starbucks vs. Ghiradelli: Hot Chocolate Battle

John Zur

Starbucks' hot cocoa

​With cooler nights upon us once again, what's more comforting than curling up with your significant other and a cup of hot chocolate? Here's a look at two chains, located on Lincoln Road, serving up some winter delight with whipped cream on top!

Starbucks

Pros: The coffee chain's version (grande - 16 oz. - $3.25) is made with steamed milk and vanilla and mocha-flavored syrups. It is topped with sweetened whipped cream and a chocolate-flavored drizzle. The end result is a creamy taste that isn't too chocolaty.

Cons: It's a bit sweet and ours wasn't delivered so hot. Total grams of fat: 16 grams. Calories: 370. Calories from fat: 140. Looks like that New Year's resolution isn't working out so great.

John Zur

Ghirardelli's sea salt hot cocoa

​Ghirardelli

Pros: Start to finish, the sea salt hot cocoa is a sweet and savory delight. From the bottom up, it's constructed with Ghirardelli's standard hot cocoa mix and caramel, topped with whipped cream, a caramel drizzle, and two shakes of a sea salt and raw sugar blend.

Cons: The nutrition facts weren't provided online or via the store manager. And $4.25 is a bit much for a 16 oz. non-alcoholic beverage. Oh well, there could be worse vices.

The Verdict: Ghirardelli's hot cocoa looks, tastes, and is made like a hand-crafted malt shop drink, whereas the Starbucks drink tastes like it came off an assembly line. Spend about a buck more and treat your honey to a perfect winter beverage.

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