Slip Away with these Cocktail Inspired Chocolate Bars
Published
Mold Breaking Bars You Can Sip (and Savor) at the Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025
No bar cart? No problem.
These cocktail-infused chocolate bars are redefining what it means to enjoy a drink. From bourbon-soaked cacao to lime-and-cachaça crunch, these boozy bars bring the spirits straight to your palate—without the hangover
Tasting Tip: Navigate the Cocktail Bar Trail
Not sure where to start? Here’s how to explore the cocktail chocolate category at NW Fest like a flavor pro:
- Start Light: Begin with citrusy or fruity bars (e.g. lime, orange)
- Finish Bold: End with smoked or barrel-aged bars for intensity
- Look for Inclusions: Some bars feature boozy nibs, candied fruit, or smoked salts—follow your texture cravings!
- Palate Cleanser: Sparkling water or plain crackers help between boozy bites
Bars with Boozy Inclusions to Hunt Down
Want texture with your tipsiness? Keep an eye out for bars that don’t just taste like cocktails—they’re built like one.
- Crunchy Cachaça Nibs: Baiani’s Caipirinha
- Bourbon-Soaked Pecans: Stonegrindz
- Candied Citrus & Bitters: NearyNógs Old Fashioned
- Botanical Extracts: Fjåk Vermouth
Prefer Smooth & Neat? Then local favorite Spinnaker’s Dark Bourbon is perfect.
Ask the makers how these inclusions are made—you’ll learn something fascinating at every booth.
Make the Cocktail, Then Taste the Bar
Why stop at just tasting the chocolate when you can recreate the full cocktail experience at home? Pair your bar with its boozy inspiration to double the fun.
These bars blur the line between dessert and drink.
Whether you’re a whiskey connoisseur or a cocktail novice, this is your chance to explore chocolate that sips as good as it tastes.
If you’re keen: Buy a few bars and host your own “Bar Cart & Chocolate Board” night with friends. Cocktails optional, good chocolate mandatory.
1. 70% Belize with Bourbon
Maker: Spinnaker Chocolate
Travelling from: Washington, USA
Spirit: 2BAR Straight Whiskey
The Vibe: Vanilla warmth, fruity tang, smoky finish
Why Try It?
We love when two locals come together. This one is local whiskey meets fruity Belizean cacao by a local chocolate maker creating a bar that’s bold yet smooth—like sipping a neat pour next to a campfire.
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Toasted oak & vanilla bean
- Flavor: Rich bourbon warmth with cacao tang
- Texture: Clean snap, slow melt
Pair It With: A glass of neat bourbon or an amber porter.
Make the Pairing Drink: Whiskey Neat
Just pour 2 oz of good bourbon (we recommend Seattle’s own 2BAR) into a glass. Sip slowly between bites. Want something lighter? Try an amber porter to highlight the bar’s fruitier edge.
2. Bourbon Pecan and Dark Cherry 70%
Maker: Stone Grindz
Travelling from: Arizona, USA
Spirit: Bourbon-soaked pecans.
The Vibe: Nutty, cozy, pecan pie-ish
Why Try It?
Bourbon-soaked pecans bring a crunchy sweetness to this deep chocolate bar—it’s the perfect Thanksgiving dessert with an adult twist. For dessert lovers and bourbon beginners alike.
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Toasted pecans and maple
- Flavor: Bourbon warmth, brown sugar
- Texture: Crunchy with creamy melt
Make the Pairing Drink: Bourbon Pecan Old Fashioned
You’ll Need:
- 2 oz bourbon
- ¼ oz pecan liqueur (optional)
- 1 sugar cube or ¼ oz maple syrup
- 2 dashes bitters
To Make: Muddle sugar and bitters, add bourbon (and liqueur if using), stir over ice, garnish with orange peel.
3. Vermouth O’Clock
Maker: Fjåk
Travelling from: Norway
Spirit: Sweet vermouth & Nordic herbs
The Vibe: Botanical, bittersweet, complex
Why Try It?
Inspired by aperitivo hour, this bar captures the elegance of a vermouth spritz— think juniper, cinnamon, fennel seeds, orange peel, olives, candied orange peel all melded with Kokoa Kamilli cacao from Kilombero Valley, Tanzania.
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Dried citrus and forest herbs
- Flavor: Bittersweet orange with earthy depth
- Texture: Clean melt, a little texture from the inclusions
Make the Pairing Drink: Spanish Negroni
You’ll Need:
- 50ml Sweet Vermouth
- 10ml gin
- 10ml Campari
- 2 dashes bitters
- Orange peel twist and green olives (optional)
To Make: Stir all ingredients over ice and strain and pour into a chilled martini glass. Add optional orange peel and green olives to add a little Spanish flair.
4. Old Fashioned Irish 70%
Maker: NearyNógs Chocolate
Travelling from: Northern Ireland
Spirit: Irish whiskey + orange bitters
The Vibe: Smooth, nostalgic, slow-sipping.
Why Try It?
This is the bar version of a fireside Old Fashioned—soft whiskey notes, zesty orange, and caramelized depth. Plus the Irish know how to pack a punch so you’re in safe hands with this bar for sure!
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Burnt sugar & citrus oil
- Flavor: Orange bitters, soft caramel, whisky glow
- Texture: Creamy, long finish
Make the Pairing Drink: Old Fashioned (Irish Style)
You’ll Need:
- 2 oz Irish whiskey
- 1 sugar cube
- 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel
To Make: Muddle sugar and bitters, stir in whiskey with ice, garnish with orange peel.
5. Caipirinha 65%
Maker: Baiani Chocolate
Travelling from: Brazil
Spirit: Cachaça, lime zest, cane sugar
The Vibe: Tropical, zesty, energizing
Why Try It?
The national cocktail of Brazil becomes a flavor bomb of citrusy crunch. Cachaça infused nibs bring texture, while the lime and sugar combo brings all the zesty energy of a summer party. Best for fans of mojitos, margaritas, or any cocktail that comes with a paper umbrella.
Tasting Notes:
- Aroma: Lime peel and cane sugar
- Flavor: Zippy lime, caramel warmth, tropical cacao
- Texture: Crunchy bits and a refreshing finish
Make the Pairing Drink: Caipirinha
You’ll Need:
- 2 oz cachaça
- ½ lime (quartered)
- 2 tsp raw sugar
To Make: Muddle lime and sugar, add cachaça, shake with ice, pour over rocks. Make two – the second one is for you too.
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Planning Your Northwest Chocolate Festival Day
Here’s what you need to know to make your tasting journey smooth and satisfying:
- What: The Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025
- Location: Meydenbauer Center, 11100 NE 6th St, Bellevue, Washington
- Dates: October 4–5, 2025
- Time: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (both days)
- Website: nwchocolate.com
For More details:
- See our headline article here: Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025: The Insider’s Guide for Chocoholics
- Check out our entire section dedicated to all things Northwest Chocolate here: Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025 Beanstalkr Guide
If you’re keen we’d love to see you at our session.
“Craft Chocolate: Flavors You Never Knew You Needed”. See here for details: Beanstalkr’s Session – Craft Chocolate: Flavors You Never Knew You Needed
See here for the full Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025 schedule: Northwest Chocolate Festival Schedule
FAQ: Cocktail Chocolate Edition
Do these bars contain alcohol?
Not usually in intoxicating amounts. Infusions or reductions are used to capture flavor—legal and kid-friendly (though maybe not their jam).
Can I pair them with actual cocktails?
Absolutely! Sparkling wine, whisky, or even botanical gin go great depending on the bar.
Are any of them vegan?
Yes! Most dark bars (like NearyNógs and Baiani) are vegan unless stated otherwise.
Which bar is the sweetest?
Stonegrindz Bourbon Pecan or Baiani’s Caipirinha will satisfy a sweet tooth.
Craft Chocolate with a Buzz
Whether you’re chasing the vanilla warmth of bourbon or the zing of lime and cachaça, these bars are proof that chocolate can drink like your favorite cocktail. It’s fun, it’s bold, and it’s changing the way we think about pairing.
Skip the bar line. Go straight to the booth
Fan of cocktail infused chocolate? Which boozy bar are you most excited to try? Let us know in the comments!
Want more chocolate reviews like this? Subscribe to our newsletter for exclusive tasting notes, festival guides, and small-batch picks from around the globe. As always, thanks heaps for talking beans with us.
Where to next?
If you’re off to the Northwest Chocolate Festival 2025, we recommend:
And if you’re curious, we recommend:
And if you’re still not so sure, check out what events or makers are in your area:
Talk Beans with us!
Got any questions? Feedback? Want to hi say? Reach out below – we’re always happy to chat!
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