In between their busy class schedules, CEID students Jon Hudson and Lilly Purich embarked on a quest to find the best hot cocoa in Edinburgh. Utilizing a criteria system informed by their excellent research skills, (thanks, CEID!) they created this guide to help the CEID community find their perfect cup of cocoa. (Right: Jon and Lilly in front of The Marshmallow Lady café)
“Our first and foremost priority was assessing the overall experience and quality of the hot chocolate itself,” Jon and Lilly said. “However, in evaluating the presentation, we also considered toppings (marshmallow, whipped cream, flake, etc.) and container (mug, to-go cup, etc.). To aid in your wintery adventures, our notes include other benefits such as location, affordability, and additional wow-factors.”
Mary’s Milk Bar (Overall score: 8/15) (Pictured above)
Flavor: 2/5, presentation: 2/5, price: 4/5
“Mary’s Milk Bar is primarily known for their gelato, not their hot cocoa. Nevertheless, we couldn’t pass up on trying this limited-time festive special. Unfortunately, the incredible gelato outshines the flavor of the cocoa– a standard powder mix. The price is affordable, but the presentation is not much to write home about in comparison to our other venues. The shop in a touristy location (Grassmarket) near the main campus, and lacks indoor seating. While it is the lowest on our list in terms of cocoa, you CANNOT skip out on their gelato.”
Knoops (Overall score: 11/15)
Flavor: 5/5, presentation: 3/5, price: 3/5
“Knoops is a UK chain that has two locations in Edinburgh — one in Old Town (Victoria Street) and one in New Town (George Street). The sky is truly the limit when it comes to their hot chocolate options. You are able to customize the cocoa (down to the percentage), flavors (such as mint, orange, and vanilla), milk options, and medium (hot or iced). We took advantage of the novelty by trying these drinks iced. Price is fair considering the quality, and can change depending on your choices. Seating varies by location — you have better luck on George St.. Presentation is standard for a coffee shop, but nice. We had ours with their homemade marshmallow, though it wasn’t toasted. Overall, it was good, but we weren’t blown away.”
Uplands Roast (Overall score: 13/15)
Flavor: 3/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 5/5
“Conveniently located at The Meadows, Upland Roast is a food truck frequented by Edinburgh uni students at the main campus. Its location makes it ideal for meeting friends, taking a study break, or catching some fresh air. Presentation is undeniably ‘gram-worthy, as the cocoa comes topped with a toasted marshmallow, mini marshmallows, whipped cream, chocolate flakes, and cinnamon. Unfortunately, a majority of the flavor is held in these toppings. The Meadows makes for an excellent backdrop and includes outdoor seating, and the affordable price definitely makes it worthwhile. As a uni student, you can’t pass up this delicious and affordable treat.”
The Marshmallow Lady (Overall score: 13/15)
Flavor: 4/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 4/5
“This venue is by far the most experiential on our list. Marshmallow Lady is a small, local business that specializes in large homemade marshmallows that are available in a wide variety of flavors. These include churro, passionfruit, mint, vanilla bean, s’mores, whiskey, Irn Bru (a Scottish classic), and more. In addition to a marshmallow of your choosing, your beverage comes topped with whipped cream and chocolate flakes. The cozy atmosphere is complemented by the ability to watch the staff prepare your cocoa and roast your marshmallow right before your eyes. If you’re lucky enough to sit-in, your cocoa will come in a massive, adorable, festive mug. The trade-off for this decadence is a 30-minute walk from main campus — making this a bit of a time commitment. While this is the most expensive on our list, we feel the quality and presentation are more than covered by the price.”
Moo Pie Gelato (14.5/15)
Flavor: 5/5, presentation: 5/5, price: 4.5/5
“Our final venue is conveniently located on St Mary’s Street, just around the corner from Moray House. While not as many as Knoops, you have five varieties of hot cocoa available to you — including milk, dark, milk + dark, and malted(!!!). Lilly tried the malted and can assure you it tastes like Maltesers. Their homemade vegetarian marshmallow fluff is an additional £1, but it’s a must-have. The fluff is piped on the top of the drink and toasted, adding a s’more-like quality to every sip. The cocoa is rich, and will definitely fill you up, meaning the quantity you get for the price is more than enough. What sets Moo Pie Gelato apart here at the top of our list is the combination of decadent hot chocolate, delicious fluff, and unique presentation. With its affordable price and stellar location, you’ll find you quickly become a repeat customer.”
“We had a lot of fun running around Edinburgh trying these fantastic hot cocoa venues. They’re each worthy of a visit. This is by no means an exhaustive list of the places you can acquire a cozy, sweet treat — so by all means, explore when you can and enjoy some window shopping. We hope this short guide inspires you to experiment with your routine and see all the city has to offer. We hope you enjoy the hot chocolate as much as we did!”
