Missouri’s Must-Sip Hot Chocolates To Warm Your Winter
Winter in Missouri can be brutal, but you know what makes those freezing days bearable? A steaming mug of hot chocolate that warms you from the inside out.
Whether you’re exploring the city streets or cozying up after a long day, finding the perfect cup is basically a winter survival skill. I’ve tracked down the spots across the state that serve up the most incredible, soul-warming hot chocolates you’ll ever wrap your cold fingers around.
1. Baileys’ Chocolate Bar, St. Louis
Where chocolate dreams become reality, one sip can change your entire outlook on winter. Baileys’ Chocolate Bar takes hot chocolate so seriously that you’ll wonder why you ever settled for powder packets. Their signature blend uses house-made chocolate that’s been perfected over years of obsessive testing.
Every cup comes loaded with real cocoa that tastes like velvet melting on your tongue. The texture is thick enough to coat your spoon but smooth enough to glide down effortlessly. They top it with fresh whipped cream that doesn’t just sit there looking pretty but actually adds to the experience.
2. Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company, St. Louis
This place doesn’t mess around with its name or its product. Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate Company serves up a hot chocolate that’s basically a hug in liquid form. When you walk in, the aroma alone will make you forget about the cold wind outside.
Their recipe uses premium Belgian chocolate that gets melted into steamed milk with surgical precision. The result is a drink so rich you might need a moment to process what just happened.
They offer variations with different cocoa percentages, so whether you like it sweet or intensely dark, they’ve got your back.
3. Askinosie Chocolate, Springfield
Are you ready for hot chocolate that’s made from beans they literally sourced themselves? Askinosie Chocolate is a bean-to-bar operation that treats chocolate like the art form it deserves to be. They travel to origin countries, build relationships with farmers, and bring back incredible cacao.
When that level of care goes into your hot chocolate, you taste the difference immediately. The flavor is complex, nuanced, and completely unforgettable.
Each sip reveals different notes depending on which origin they’re featuring that season, making every visit a new adventure.
4. Combat Coffee Roasters, Waynesville
Though coffee is in their name, Combat Coffee Roasters absolutely crushes the hot chocolate game. This veteran-owned spot near Fort Leonard Wood knows exactly what soldiers and civilians alike need on a frigid Missouri morning. Their hot chocolate is bold, unapologetically rich, and served with genuine hospitality.
They use high-quality cocoa mixed with expertly steamed milk that creates a velvety texture. The sweetness level is perfectly balanced, never cloying or artificial tasting.
Top it with marshmallows if you’re feeling nostalgic, or keep it pure to appreciate the chocolate’s natural depth.
5. Hot Box Cookies, Columbia
When a cookie company makes hot chocolate, you better believe they’re bringing their A-game. Hot Box Cookies in Columbia delivers late-night treats that college students and locals worship, and their hot chocolate is legendary. It’s thick, indulgent, and pairs obscenely well with their warm cookies.
The chocolate flavor is intense without being bitter, striking that magical balance. They don’t skimp on portion size either, giving you a generous mug that justifies every penny.
Order it alongside their signature cookies for a combination that’ll ruin you for lesser desserts forever.
6. Upshot Coffee, Cottleville
Located at 5326 Highway N in Cottleville, Missouri, Upshot Coffee is a stylish, modern café that opened in early 2019. The space features distinctive design touches, curved walls, butcher‑block and steel surfaces, and custom artwork by local artists, giving it a creative, welcoming atmosphere.
While it’s known primarily for specialty coffee and teas, the menu also includes a rich “Drinking Chocolate” (house‑made hot chocolate with whipped cream), making it a cozy stop for warming up in cooler weather.
Whether you’re after a top‑tier espresso, a decadent hot cocoa, or a comfortable place to sit and relax, Upshot Coffee delivers a refined café experience in the heart of St. Charles County.
7. Cuba Coffee Co., Cuba
Did you know that Cuba, Missouri, sits right on Route 66 and serves hot chocolate worth the road trip? Cuba Coffee Co. brings small-town charm with big-city quality to every drink they craft. Their hot chocolate is the kind of treat that makes you want to pull off the highway and stay awhile.
Rich cocoa blends with perfectly steamed milk to create a drink that warms you thoroughly. The consistency is smooth and luxurious without being heavy or overly sweet.
Locals swear by it, and once you try it, you’ll understand why this spot has such a devoted following.
8. Second Best Coffee, Kansas City
Hence the ironic name, but there’s nothing second-rate about their hot chocolate. Second Best Coffee in Kansas City has mastered the art of making drinks that look as good as they taste. Their hot chocolate comes with a gorgeous presentation that’s Instagram-worthy but never sacrifices substance for style.
The chocolate is sourced from quality suppliers and prepared with barista-level skill. Each sip delivers deep cocoa flavor balanced with creamy sweetness that doesn’t overwhelm.
The vibe is hip and relaxed, perfect for meeting friends or working on your laptop while savoring something extraordinary.
9. VB Chocolate Bar, Cottleville
This European-inspired chocolate haven brings continental sophistication to suburban Missouri. VB Chocolate Bar treats hot chocolate like the refined beverage it was always meant to be.
They use premium chocolate melted into warm milk with techniques that honor old-world traditions while embracing modern tastes.
The result is impossibly smooth and deeply satisfying, with layers of flavor that unfold gradually. It’s thicker than your average hot cocoa but not so heavy that you feel weighed down. Pair it with one of their handcrafted truffles for an experience that feels genuinely luxurious and special.
10. Just Be Kind Café, De Soto
However small this town might be, Just Be Kind Café serves up big-hearted hospitality and even bigger flavor. This community gem focuses on kindness as much as quality, and their hot chocolate reflects that philosophy. Every cup is made with care and attention that you can genuinely taste.
The cocoa is rich and comforting, exactly what you need after a long winter day. They use real ingredients and skip the artificial stuff that ruins so many drinks.
The atmosphere is warm and welcoming, making it the perfect spot to linger over your mug while chatting with friendly locals.
