Short List Runner-Up: Hot Chocolate

In this month’s Short List, Sauce contributor Emily Lowery divulged whose hot chocolate is worth braving the cold for. Here are her top three. Now, Lowery shares two other mugs of hot cocoa to cozy up to this winter. The best part? They’re just steps away from one another. After all, once the mug’s empty, it’s still cold out there! Bissinger’s: A Chocolate Experience 32 Maryland Ave. St. Louis, St. Louis, 314.367.7750 For another steamy pick-me-up this winter, head to Maryland Avenue, where Bissinger’s version awaits. While our top three focused on hearty, dark hot chocolate drinks, this cup caters to those with a preference for the sweeter side of the spectrum. It’s made with Bissinger’s own powdered Gourmet Cocoa Blend mixed with whole milk, then topped with whipped cream. A generous sprinkling of chocolate shavings gradually melts into the liquid as you drink, but – don’t worry – there’s no shame in spooning one or two of those goodies into your mouth before they disappear. Scape American Bistro 48 Maryland Plaza, St. Louis, 314.361.7227 Only steps away, Scape should be your next stop. There, you’ll encounter creamy-beyond-belief hot chocolate, topped with a super-sweet, super-enormous marshmallow spanning nearly the entire width of an oversized mug. It’s an impressive sight and an incredibly tasty treat. The liquid itself is melted Ibarra chocolate – a Mexican variety recommended specifically for hot chocolate – hand mixed with half and half. It didn’t make our top three simply because its glorious ostentatiousness (even without the chocolate, we’re talking a huge mug of half and half topped with a decadent dose of sugar) leaves you feeling a bit heavy afterward. Nonetheless, it’s a worthy extravagance for when you’re feeling especially indulgent.  

— Photo by Ashley Gieseking