Cocoa Bean Shoppe beverage sign signature drink of CAA Winter Festival of Lights
You can ask Alison Steele as politely as possible, but don’t expect to get a straight answer about her family’s new hot chocolate recipe.
“The only four people who know the secret ingredient are myself, my father, my brother and my husband,” said Steele – one half of the father-daughter business team behind the charming Cocoa Bean Shoppe in downtown Niagara Falls.
The popular Queen Street candy store specializes in gourmet chocolate treats, and was recently charged with the task of creating a signature drink for this year’s CAA Winter Festival of Lights.
“It’s very thick and very creamy,” said Lorimer, discussing the extra-rich blend of sugary goodness. “We top each drink with whipped cream, drizzle some caramel and add a candy cane on the side.”
But what of the mysterious secret ingredient?
“It’s just a special flavour we put in that enhances the chocolate flavour,” said Lorimer, cracking a wry grin from behind the counter. According to Steele, you simply, “have to be related to know.”
Staff at the Cocoa Bean Shoppe spent the past several months experimenting with different chocolates, creams, fat contents and temperatures, and perfected their delicious new recipe (tentatively titled “Santa’s Favourite”) just in time for the holiday season.
Kevin Harding, manager of communications with the CAA Winter Festival of Lights, said he was very excited to have the Cocoa Bean Shoppe involved with the festivities.
“First and foremost, the festival is a driver for economic activity in the community,” said Harding. “We’ve been working for a while to link the festival to downtown, and that’s happening for the first time this year.”
And in case you’ve wondering, Harding’s a big fan of the special beverage. “I think if Santa Claus was going to have an official hot chocolate...this would definitely be it.”
Santa’s Favourite hot chocolate will be available at the Cocoa Bean Shoppe throughout the CAA Winter Festival of Lights, which ends Jan. 31, 2011.
The popular Queen Street candy store specializes in gourmet chocolate treats, and was recently charged with the task of creating a signature drink for this year’s CAA Winter Festival of Lights.
“It’s very thick and very creamy,” said Lorimer, discussing the extra-rich blend of sugary goodness. “We top each drink with whipped cream, drizzle some caramel and add a candy cane on the side.”
But what of the mysterious secret ingredient?
“It’s just a special flavour we put in that enhances the chocolate flavour,” said Lorimer, cracking a wry grin from behind the counter. According to Steele, you simply, “have to be related to know.”
Staff at the Cocoa Bean Shoppe spent the past several months experimenting with different chocolates, creams, fat contents and temperatures, and perfected their delicious new recipe (tentatively titled “Santa’s Favourite”) just in time for the holiday season.
Kevin Harding, manager of communications with the CAA Winter Festival of Lights, said he was very excited to have the Cocoa Bean Shoppe involved with the festivities.
“First and foremost, the festival is a driver for economic activity in the community,” said Harding. “We’ve been working for a while to link the festival to downtown, and that’s happening for the first time this year.”
And in case you’ve wondering, Harding’s a big fan of the special beverage. “I think if Santa Claus was going to have an official hot chocolate...this would definitely be it.”
Santa’s Favourite hot chocolate will be available at the Cocoa Bean Shoppe throughout the CAA Winter Festival of Lights, which ends Jan. 31, 2011.
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