’Tis the season of warm drinks, like hot cocoa. But you don’t have to be a kiddo to enjoy this winter libation. No matter your preference, there is a Lehigh Valley hot chocolate for you. (And yes, for the kids.) Stop into one of these cozy spots and treat yourself.
1. Lit Coffee Roastery & Bakeshop
26 E. 3rd St., Bethlehem | 484.626.0945 | Instagram
Just because this Southside Bethlehem coffee shop is known for its Monocacy Coffee doesn’t mean the crew doesn’t know how to make a hot chocolate. It’s creamy and rich, but perhaps its best feature is the temperature and size adjustment for little ones. And you
can top with whipped cream for the full experience.
2. Mia & Maddie's Bakery
34 N. 2nd St., Easton | 484.656.7771 | Facebook
This Easton-based bakery is known for its custom cakes and baked goods, but in 2024 the team upped its hot chocolate game with special toppings. The New Yorkers Hot Cocoa, for example, is served in a glass mug, with a chocolate sprinkle-lined rim, filled with mini marshmallows, and topped off with a graham cracker garnish.
3 . Chocodiem
325 Northampton St., Easton | 973.518.2789 | chocodiem-us.com
Belgian hot chocolate just hits different. Chocodiem’s chocolatiers use real, award-winning chocolate to recreate the experience the founder had growing up in Belgium. If you’re used to mixing a packet of powdered chocolate with hot water, you are in for an incredible treat. Chocodiem avoids adding sugar to its dark chocolate, so the drink isn’t overly sweet. And its ingredient list is pretty simple, with nothing artificial added. Plus, there is a vegan option. Chocodiem is located in the Easton Public Market, so pair your rich, velvety beverage with a pastry, macaron, or heck, an artisan truffle.
4. Billy's Downtown Diner
10 E. Broad St., Bethlehem | 610.867.0105 | bethlehembreakfast.com
Mix summer and winter with Billy’s S’mores Hot Chocolate: steamed milk, chocolate marshmallows, graham crackers and topped—or crowned, as they say—with whipped cream. And although this isn’t a hot chocolate drink, the Bethlehem diner also has a “PeepsUccino,” a nod to the Peeps manufacturer located in the city. It’s espresso, steamed milk, white chocolate, whipped cream, and, of course, topped with a Peep marshmallow.
5. Franklin Hill Vineyards
7833 Franklin Hill Rd., Bangor | 888.887.2839 | franklinhillvineyards.com
Move over, hot toddies. Spike your hot chocolate with a wine or spirit from one of the Valley’s favorite vineyards and its sister shop, Social Still. During the winter months, you can warm up (and enjoy a little buzz) at any of the Franklin Hill locations.
Published as “5 Things” in the February 2025 edition of Lehigh Valley Style magazine.
