Sweet hot chocolate showdown a winter warmer

WINTER officially arrived this week, and so did the launch of the Ballarat Hot Choc Showdown.

Some of the coldest months may also be the sweetest, as the decadent competition returns as part of Ballarat Winter Festival from 27 June to 19 July.

More than 30 local venues are taking up the challenge to serve up a unique hot chocolate recipe with an aim to win the most public votes.

When the showdown debuted last year it proved popular, providing locals and visitors with a deliciously warming diversion and the city’s hospitality venues with a boost.

Mondegreen Cafe’s Peter Dawson and Kris Payne with City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves and Craig McKenzie of Grounded Pleasures launching the return of the Ballarat Hot Choc Showdown. Photo: Evie Lamb.

Participating cafes reported a 30 per cent increase on average in sales with an estimated 16,000 hot chocolates sold and more than 1,700 public votes cast.

Now keen to defend their title after winning the competition last year, Mondegreen Cafe hosted this week’s Ballarat Hot Choc Showdown 2026 launch.

They have a new tempting take on their hot chocolate bombs that won plenty of fans last time around.

“The bomb is back and this time we’re introducing the choc raspberry bomb and the unicorn bomb,” Mondegreen Cafe’s Kris Payne said.

Inside one of the newly invented unicorn hot chocolate bombs that will be offering hot choc devotees a bit of a surprise experience at Mondegreen Cafe. Photo: Evie Lamb.

“Part of what the unicorn bomb is all about is that you don’t know what flavours you’re going to get.”

City of Ballarat mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves said the Hot Choc Showdown meshed perfectly with the city’s reputation for “doing winter well”.

“Events like this really help our local economy and showcase the incredible creativity of our hospitality sector,” she said.

“It also encourages people to get out and explore our city and experience just how much there is to enjoy here over winter.”

Kris Payne of Mondegreen Cafe pops a chocolate bomb into a hot chocolate. The local cafe is among more than 30 local venues that will be part of the returning Hot Choc Showdown during Ballarat Winter Festival. Photo: Evie Lamb.

All who love a good hot choccy are encouraged to check out the participating venues listed on the Ballarat Winter Festival website, drink their way along the showdown trail and cast a vote in the People’s Choice Award, helping to crown Ballarat’s best hot chocolate for 2026.

By voting, participants go in the draw to win a $1,500 winter prize pack provided by local hot chocolate business Grounded Pleasures.

Grounded Pleasures founder and flavour alchemist Craig McKenzie said Ballarat is a natural home for hot chocolate.

“You couldn’t find a better place to have a hot chocolate business and the Ballarat Hot Choc Showdown is the ultimate celebration of this,” he said.