If you’re craving a break from distilleries, breweries, or your local dive bar, switch up your Saturday night routine and indulge your sweet tooth. At its new location in Bailey South, Winston-Salem’s beloved Black Mountain Chocolate is now serving up delectable craft cocktails alongside its classic chocolate treats and coffee drinks.
I rarely say no to an opportunity to try out a new local gem, so when I discovered that Black Mountain Chocolate had added a full bar to its new location, my friend Kim Beane and I didn’t hesitate to make an appearance. Upon arrival, we were pleasantly surprised by the ample bar seating available, along with the factory’s bright ambiance and mouthwatering chocolate aroma. We were greeted and served by friendly and knowledgeable bartenders Alex and Trey, who helped lead our taste buds in the right direction. During our first round of drinks, Kim ordered the delicious Fire on the Mountain cocktail, a Kahlua and whipped cream vodka-based chocolate drink topped with a toasted marshmallow and surrounded by a crushed graham cracker rim. With its delicious taste and appearance, this drink is top-notch and one of the factory’s staple cocktails.
Having a soft spot for coffee, I ordered an absolutely delightful espresso martini topped with coffee beans to munch on after I devoured the drink. The espresso martini packs a nice, light punch of caffeine and vodka, so drink responsibly. When Kim and I were ready for our second (and final) round of drinks, we wanted something on the fruitier side. Kim’s Beary Bramble was an excellent choice for fruit-lovers, with lemon and blackberries stealing the spotlight. To add a bit of Latin flair to my Sunday, I chose the Spicy Paloma – a tequila cocktail with a grapefruit twist. Although I was initially hesitant about the incorporation of Chalulah and jalapeño syrup, this recipe was the perfect combination of refreshing grapefruit with a subtle kick.
Black Mountain Chocolate owner Brent Peters is passionate about artisanship and craftsmanship – two qualities that helped propagate his career in the chocolate-making industry. When his affinity for creation dipped its curious toe in craft cocktails, what started as experimentation with recipes for close family and friends soon resulted in a new cocktail bar where Black Mountain Chocolate lovers can pair craft cocktails with their classic favorite BMC desserts. The bar’s detailed cocktail menu guides patrons on which drinks pair perfectly with treats such as Black Mountain Chocolate’s cocoa nib brownie or the salted caramel tart.
As a bean-to-bar chocolate factory, BMC’s chocolate is born from raw cocoa beans from a fair-trade co-operative in the Dominican Republic. The beans are roasted, ground, and transformed into chocolate in-house, with plate glass windows allowing visitors to watch the process inside the factory from start to finish. Black Mountain Chocolate’s reputation is not solely attributable to its chocolate alone, but for a combination of its perfected chocolate recipes, unforgettable desserts, and its one-of-a-kind factory experience for customers.
To add to its esteemed factory experience, Black Mountain Chocolate hosts monthly tasting events for attendees to sampleflights of featured spirits, paired with sweet or savory small plates from the kitchen. Additionally, the factory hosts craft cocktail classes to teach patrons how to concoct libations of their own. If that’s not exciting enough, beginning this month,ice cream, water ice [similar to Italian ices], and sorbet will be making their debut at the factory as well!
Although Black Mountain Chocolate has expanded its menu, location, and event schedule, according to Marketing Manager Marissa Joyce, BMC is still dedicated to keeping the factory and ambiance “sweetly southern.” While the factory itself has undergone massive changes and improvements, the team’s focus on using local ingredients, local suppliers, local flavors, and local inspirations remains unscathed.
Craving one of Black Mountain Chocolate’s new cocktails? Visit BMC’s new location in Downtown Winston-Salem at 450 N Patterson Avenue, Suite 110. They are located in the Coal Pit in the new Bailey South Building, right across the street from Bailey Park. Read more about the factory hours and products at blackmountainchocolate.com. To stay up to date on the latest news and events from the team at BMC, check out the team’s Facebook page or follow @blackmtnchoc on Instagram.
