Mrs Potts Chocolate House has been a staple of Park Street in Bristol since it first opened in September 2017 and, since then, it has moved to a bigger Park Street store and expanded to open others in Bath and Cardiff. Chocolate heaven, it stocks a range of homemade cakes, brownies, cookie sandwiches and - if I might be so bold - some of the best hot chocolates I have ever tasted.
I have been to Mrs Potts many, many times and I'm never disappointed. My go-to treat of choice is a raspberry and white chocolate blondie and a cup of Classic Dark 72 per cent hot chocolate. I love their hot chocolates so much that I regularly buy a pot of the chocolate flakes so I can try and make my own at home.
But my favourite time of year comes when Mrs Potts puts on its annual 'Hot Choctober' festival - a celebration of all things hot chocolate and autumn. The event lasts for the month of October and, in previous years, customers have been able to vote for their favourite hot chocolate creation and the winner is placed, if only temporarily, on the main menu for people to enjoy way past the month of October.
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Over the years, the genius minds at Mrs Potts have put together hot chocolates with a wide range of flavours and novelties - including chilli and chocolate and white chocolate and raspberry, to name but a few. This year's menu includes some firm favourites, like the nostalgic Malted Milk and the dreamy S'mores version, as well as a delicious vegan cherry hot chocolate that even the non-vegans among us can enjoy.
Probably the biggest surprise on the 2022 menu, however, is the maple bacon hot chocolate, which features an actual piece of streaky bacon longer than the cup it sits in. If you were going to try but one hot chocolate from this year's Hot Choctober menu - and your dietary requirements allow it - the maple bacon one is a MUST. Here's a few reasons why, as well as some of the other highlights of Hot Choctober 2022...
The Maple Bacon Hot Chocolate
Because of the maple bacon flavours, the hot chocolate in this intriguing creation tastes warming and almost cinnamon-like. It sounds like it shouldn't work, but then many people say that about maple syrup and bacon on pancakes or French toast and yet, these are popular menu staples in many a restaurant or cafe in Bristol nowadays.
The piece of bacon is a treat in itself and is a perfect mix of sweet and savoury - it's a flavour that you need to try in order to fully understand. What's more, the whole thing is topped with cream and the iconic Mrs Potts chocolate button.
Seriously, if you're a meat eater, you need to try this - it whisked me away to an autumnal evening somewhere magical. Truly delicious and a genius flavour combination.
The S'Mores Hot Chocolate
Not only is Mrs Potts famed for chocolate brownies, cookie sandwiches and cakes - the team is also known for their homemade marshmallows and nothing shows this off better than the S'Mores Hot Chocolate. A firm favourite with customers, this is not the S'Mores' first rodeo and I can't see it going anywhere any time soon.
A cup of Mrs Potts hot chocolate, topped with toasted marshmallow fluff, a handmade Graham cracker and, you guessed it, a Mrs Potts button - all you need is a campfire (guitar and campfire songs optional). Again, this is a truly magical creation and something that all the family will enjoy.
The Vegan Cherry Hot Chocolate
Everything in this hot chocolate is vegan friendly, and Mrs Potts definitely isn't one for scrimping, - the vegan cream towers on top, with not one, but two dark chocolate Mrs Potts buttons for you to enjoy, too. Another artistic one (I mean these are all extremely Instagrammable) the mug of the vegan cherry hot chocolate is dipped in cherry - a trick you may have tasted if you've been lucky enough to sample Mrs Potts milkshakes (yes, they do those too).
If you're a fan of a black forest gateau, this is definitely a drink along those lines. Delicious, sweet, but not too sickly as the cherry offers a bit of a sour kick and, what's more, if you are someone who is a bit afraid of vegan versions, you definitely wouldn't be able to taste the difference as far as this one is concerned.
The Malted Milk Hot Chocolate
The Malted Milk is another favourite that has returned for 2022 - this time, though, it's even prettier with the added bonus of two mini cookies. Customers are already smitten with this latest adaptation of a beloved classic as, so the team at Mrs Potts say, they're getting plenty for their money.
And the Malted Milk is definitely one on the menu that you must try - made with Horlicks, it's that nostalgic childhood taste that many of you will remember, all dressed up with plenty of cream, cookies and a Mrs Potts chocolate button. It kind of gives us milk and cookie vibes and is a true go-to if you're having a bit of a bad day.
The Hot Chocolate Float
If you love a bit of novelty when it comes to drinks, then we can do better than a 'freakshake' - Mrs Potts Hot Chocolate Float is where it's at. Take a glass on a saucer, balance a crazy swirl of Mrs Potts chocolate on top, add ice cream and pour over some delicious hot chocolate and you've got yourself a bit of magic and a delicious drink that, again, the whole family will love.
I mean, we did tell you the team at Mrs Potts were geniuses, didn't we!
Mrs Potts Hot Choctober is taking place throughout October at its stores in Bristol, Bath and Cardiff. The Bristol store can be found at number 50 Park Street, BS1 5JN and is open Monday - Sunday, 10am - 8pm.
Have you tried a Hot Choctober hot chocolate this year, or previously? Share your thoughts in the comments below - we'd love to hear them.
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