Photo courtesy of Camelot Cellars
That's Rich!
Chocolate and booze are a compelling combination
Forrest Gump’s mama never told him, but sometimes, life is like a glass of chocolate-based libations.
You never know what you’re going to get – particularly here in central Ohio, where chocolate beer, wine and liqueur make many an appearance on local drink lists, often in the Short North.
Wine
Short North-based Camelot Cellars’ Chocolate Raspberry Port is one such chocolately indulgence.
“Port wine is supposed to be a dessert, so by adding chocolate and raspberry, which is a good combination on its own, we wanted to give the port a good showing and create a dessert that was just a wine,” says Janine Aquino, owner of Camelot Cellars.
Creating the Chocolate Raspberry Port is just a matter of adding chocolate and raspberry flavors to a port wine.
“We take a port wine, and at the end of fermentation, we infuse some raspberry and some cocoa, and that’s pretty much it,” says Aquino.
Aquino recommends pairing the Chocolate Raspberry Port with any kind of chocolate dessert.
Photo courtesy of North High Brewing
That's Rich!
Beer
For those who prefer creamier, less fruity chocolate drinks, try North High Brewing’s Chocolate Milk Stout.
To make this stout, North High, located just north of the Short North, puts its classic Milk Stout in a firkin and adds cocoa nibs.
The Chocolate Milk Stout builds on the notes of flavor that occur naturally in any stout.
“Being that the stout has a lot of those flavors already – flavors of chocolate and coffee and just creaminess – it’s kind of a natural way to amplify or complement some of those flavors,” says Jason McKibben, brewmaster at North High.
McKibben recommends pairing the Chocolate Milk Stout with something sweet.
“Stouts go great with desserts, and this is no exception there,” he says.
Photo courtesy of Le Chocoholique
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Liqueur
There are no local manufacturers of chocolate liqueur, but the existing liqueurs certainly find their ways onto local menus.
Case in point: Short North-based Le Chocoholique’s S’mores Martini.
The martini is a twist on a classic dessert.
“It brings us back to camping, picnics and family reunions, but in a beautiful metropolitan setting surrounded with art and an eclectic crowd,” says Monica Barr, Le Chocholique owner.
RumChata, 360 Double Chocolate Vodka, Godiva Chocolate Liqueur and Drambuie are all incorporated into the treat, along with half and half.
“Our treat starts with a marshmallow-rimmed glass,” Barr says. “The marshmallow is torched to gooey perfection then dipped into graham cracker crumbs.”
Athnie McMillan-Comeaux is a contributing writer. Feedback welcome at gbishop@cityscenemediagroup.com.
Local Chocolate Wines
Blend of Seven Winery (Delaware): Maru’s Blend (seasonal)
Blend of Seven Winery (Delaware): Now That’s a Port! (seasonal)
Brandeberry Winery (Enon): Cherry Truffle
Buckeye Winery (Newark): Sweet Holiday Harbor Chocolate Raspberry Port
Buckeye Winery (Newark): White Kisses White Chocolate Port
Camelot Cellars (Short North): Chocolate Raspberry Port
Coopers Hawk Winery & Restaurant (Easton): Nightjar
Good Vibes Winery (Westerville): Happy Together Chocolate Raspberry Port
Local Chocolate Beers (and Beers with Chocolate Notes)
Actual Brewing (northeast Columbus): Fat Julian Imperial Stout
Barley’s Brewing Company (Short North): Bourbon Meyer
Barley’s Brewing Company (Short North): Chupacabra
Elevator Brewing Company (downtown Columbus): Dirty Dick’s Nut Brown Ale
Homestead Beer Company (Heath): Bison American Stout
Homestead Beer Company (Heath): Stove Pipe Winter Porter
Hoof Hearted Brewing Company (Marengo): Jun Horde Imperial Stout
Hoof Hearted Brewing Company (Marengo): Permafrost Porter
Hoof Hearted Brewing Company (Marengo): Thudstaff Belgian Imperial Stout
Land-Grant Brewing Company (Franklinton): Beard Crumbs Oatmeal Raisin Stout
North High Brewing (Short North): Chocolate Milk Stout
Pigskin Brewing Company (Gahanna): PorterBack
Seventh Son Brewing Company (Italian Village): Mr. Owl Double India Brown Ale
Seventh Son Brewing Company (Italian Village): Oubliette Imperial Stout
Weasel Boy Brewing Company (Zanesville): Anastasia Russian Imperial Stout
Weasel Boy Brewing Company (Zanesville): Brown Stoat Stout
Zaftig Brewing Company (north Columbus): Black Perle
Local Chocolate Cocktails
16 Bit Bar + Arcade (downtown Columbus): The Dude
Le Chocoholique (Short North): Chocolate Covered Pretzel Martini
Le Chocoholique (Short North): S’mores Martini
Bar 23 (Short North): Godiva Martini
Bar 23 (Short North): Classic Chocolate Martini
Denmark on High (Short North): Gaelic Grasshopper
Denmark on High (Short North): Give Me S’more!
Oddfellows Liquor Bar (Short North): Super Bon Bon Manhattan
Sidebar (downtown Columbus): El Abuelo
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