The search on the best hot chocolate in Frederick

By Braden Weinel//

As the temperature drops and winter approaches, there is always one drink that becomes a seasonal favorite–hot chocolate.

Hot chocolate is easy to make and cheap to buy, but where can you find the best hot chocolate in Frederick? Do you hit a local coffee shop or find a fast-food joint like Starbucks?

I searched for the best hot chocolate in Frederick and found it at Dublin Roasters.

Dublin Roasters, located at 1780 N. Market Street, exceeded all of my expectations.

The drink was nice and hot, yet the whipped cream on top helped to balance out the temperature of the drink so I didn’t burn my tongue.

The drink had a very strong milk chocolate flavor, so if you’re a fan of milk chocolate and need a warm drink, Dublin Roasters is the place for you.

Dublin Roasters did have the most expensive hot chocolate out of all the places I tried, but not by much. The total cost for my drink was $3.97.

A close second place was Starbucks. Starbucks’ hot chocolate was very similar to Dublin Roasters’, except Starbucks had more of a dark chocolate taste.

My drink from Starbucks cost $3.95, but once again, was worth it.

Although other hot chocolate at other Frederick shops was cheaper and served more quickly, the quality was not as high as Dublin Roasters or Starbucks.

I tried Frederick Coffee Company at 100 N. East St., Gravel and Grind at 15 E. 6^th St., Ibiza Café at 8 W. 4^th St. and The Perfect Blend at 31 W. Patrick St.

The other hot chocolates I tried weren’t bad, but they just did not measure up to Dublin Roasters.

The drinks I got from Frederick Coffee Company and Gravel and Grind were not very hot. Gravel and Grind’s hot chocolate was also too milky. The hot chocolate from Ibiza Café had a nice presentation but did not taste as good as it looked.

The Perfect Blend was pretty good, but the flavor was not as strong as some of the other options.

If you’re looking for a good hot chocolate this winter, go to Dublin Roasters, but if you need something a little quicker or you’re not around Frederick, find a Starbucks.

Final Rankings and Prices:

1. Dublin Roasters ($3.97)
2. Starbucks ($3.95)
3. The Perfect Blend ($3.39)
4. Ibiza Café ($3.29)
5. Gravel and Grind ($3.18)
6. Frederick Coffee Company ($3.72)