Hot chocolate heaven arrives on the Surf Coast

THE Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie & Ice Creamery has mixed up 31 ways to keep chocolate lovers happy this month to mark their annual Hot Chocolate Festival.

The Bellbrae establishment is taking the classic winter beverage to new heights this year with iced kronuts, exploding chocolate balls, chocolate creatures and melting discs to dunk, whisk and slurp away.

The festival, which began on Tuesday this week will treat locals to a revolving weekly menu of different decadent, boozy and interactive flavours featuring dark, milk, white and ruby chocolate.

Grown-ups can keep an eye out for concoctions such as the salted caramel martinis and the dark hot chocolate French Connection featuring cognac-filled red, white and blue chocolate balls.

For children, there’s a nostalgic Happy Vegemite hot chocolate featuring caramel koalas to melt, and a special pink infused creation dedicated to Barbie.

Great Ocean Road Chocolaterie and Ice Creamery owner Ian Neeland said August’s annual Hot Chocolate Festival is always a fan favourite.

“Our annual Hot Chocolate Festival has become a real feature on the calendar and we just love coming up with even more decadent and over the top concoctions.

“This year, our extra interactive line up of hot chocolate creations will reward visitors to our Chocolateries, plus we’re ensuring chocolate lovers everywhere get to enjoy our creations at home too.

“We didn’t want anyone to miss out on our winter indulgence.”

Throughout the month, the chocolaterie will host tasting sessions ($24 per person) and have “do it yourself” hot chocolate kits available for purchase.

Locals are also encouraged to vote for their 2023 Hot Chocolate Festival flavour online for their chance to walk away with their body weight in 1kg couverture chocolate blocks.

The Hot Chocolate Festival runs until August 31.

For more information, head to gorci.com.au