When the candy cane winds start to blow and the peppermint snowflakes begin to fall, nothing warms an elf’s heart faster than a steaming mug of cocoa. At Santa’s Village, hot cocoa isn’t just a drink — it’s a celebrated tradition, an art form, and for many elves, a personal identity.
This year, the Sugar and Spice editorial team partnered with the North Pole Culinary Council to launch the first-ever Cocoa Cup Rankings, evaluating cocoa creations from every corner of the village based on flavor, creativity, coziness factor, and whipped cream architecture.
After hundreds of sips and sticky mustaches, we’re proud to reveal the official top 5 cocoa cups of the season — ranked from warm and wonderful to sleigh-stopping spectacular.
☕ The Top 5 Cocoa Cups of 2025
🏅 1. Mrs. Claus’s Peppermint Bark Bliss
- Served at: The Hearth Café
- Flavor Notes: Silky dark chocolate base, layered with peppermint extract and crushed candy cane, topped with snowy white chocolate shavings.
- Elf Commentary: “It tastes like a sleigh ride through a candy forest. One sip and I was ready to wrap 1,000 gifts.” – Jingle Frostwhistle, Cocoa Judge
🥈 2. Nutty Nog Cocoa
- Served at: Blitzen’s Bistro & Brews
- Flavor Notes: Hazelnut-infused cocoa swirled with eggnog cream, crowned with nutmeg dust and praline crumbles.
- Best Enjoyed With: A cozy reindeer blanket and a crackling fire.
🥉 3. Caramel Comet Swirl
- Served at: Sugarplum Station Café
- Flavor Notes: Velvety milk chocolate with ribbons of homemade caramel and whipped cream peaks drizzled in golden syrup.
- Whipped Cream Architecture Score: 10/10 (resembled Santa’s sleigh!)
🎖 4. Frosted Marshmallow Dream
- Served at: The Sleigh Stop Truck (mobile cocoa stand)
- Flavor Notes: White chocolate base, toasted marshmallows blended in and piled high on top, snowflake sprinkles.
- Extra Fun: Comes with a cinnamon stick “cocoa wand” to stir in extra magic.
🎖 5. Spicy Sleigh Ride Cocoa
- Served at: Elfen Ember Roastery
- Flavor Notes: Dark cocoa with cinnamon, cayenne, and a chili-kissed kick — for elves who like it bold and blazing.
- Tinsel’s Review: “This one made my ears steam, and I loved every sip.”
🔍 Cocoa Trends to Watch:
- Flavored Whipped Creams — from cinnamon maple to vanilla bean cloud — are taking over the toppings scene.
- Infused Marshmallows (peppermint, espresso, cotton candy) are now the must-have mix-ins.
- Cocoa Flights (mini mugs of multiple flavors) are trending in North Pole cafés this winter.
🎄 Final Sips
Whether you’re team spicy or sweet, there’s no wrong way to cup your cocoa. Each mug tells a story, brewed with holiday spirit and topped with tradition. So as you settle in this season with your favorite festive blanket, don’t forget to try a new flavor (or five).
And remember, here at the North Pole, every good day ends with cocoa.
