Hot Chocolate, Frrrozen Hot Chocolate, and more Chocolate

I've been on a search for the perfect Mexican hot chocolate for several years now. It has become my white whale. I'm really beginning to sympathize with Captain Ahab. :(

It started when I first saw the movie Chocolat with Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. There's a scene where hot chocolate is served with a sprinkle of chili powder. I knew right then that there was more to this drink than mini marshmallows and whipped cream. And so began my quest...

My latest purchase is Mariebelle's Aztec Hot Chocolate. I read about this one from Our Adventures in Japan. If you've never had this before, it's not a powdered mix like most hot chocolates. They're actually little shards of chocolate. It almost looks like tiny chocolate garden mulch. This hot chocolate has a thick and velvety texture. It's very good, but I didn't get the same spice kick in the throat like Kat did in her post. I must not have used enough. I admit to being stingy sometimes. Heh! I picked up this 20 oz can at Williams-Sonoma for $25 USD. My next cup, I will follow the measurements on the canister.

While in the store, my boy had to get this...

Serendipity's Frrrozen Hot Chocolate mix. This 18 oz canister sold for $16 USD. When we were in Las Vegas last month, Serendipity 3 had opened up in front of Caesar's Palace. Doug wanted to try their famous drink/dessert but we didn't have enough time. So here it is served in the Pocky kitchen.

All you need for this mix is a heavy duty blender, whole milk, ice cubes, and whipped cream. We can't compare it to the real thing served at the restaurant but this was pretty tasty.

One last chocolate item, Chuao Chocolatier's Firecracker bar.

This has got to be the strangest chocolate bar I've ever eaten. It's dark chocolate with chipotle, salt, and pop rocks. Yes I said pop rocks, although they call it "popping candy". I've never had chocolate that popped and frizzled in my mouth before. Think Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Remember the scene right before Violet Beauregarde turns into a big blueberry, she chews on a piece of "3 course dinner" gum? This chocolate reminds me of that dinner gum. I tasted the dark chocolate right away, and next the pop and fizzle of pop rocks, then the saltiness, and finally the kick of chipotle. Doug of course experienced everything in reverse order from me. Sheesh!