Chocolate is earning a place beyond cakes and desserts. For many young café-goers, it is becoming another beverage of choice, showing up in everything from iced lattes and shakes to plant-based drinks. The shift is driven by a growing interest in trying new flavours, with consumers exploring beverages that combine quality ingredients, balanced taste and the option to customise their drinks to suit their preferences.
Tapping into this evolving café culture, the Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar has opened inside the Manam Chocolate Karkhana in Banjara Hills, offering a new way to experience Indian craft chocolate. The interactive counter lets guests choose from different chocolate couvertures, select their preferred milk and watch each beverage being prepared fresh. The menu features more than 24 drinks, ranging from signature hot chocolates and iced beverages to indulgent shakes and plant-based creations, all built around Indian cacao.
What sets the Beverage Bar apart is its “Craft Your Own Beverage” experience. Instead of ordering from the menu, guests can create their own drink by choosing from 14 chocolate couvertures, selecting their preferred milk and deciding whether they want it served hot or cold. The beverage is then prepared fresh by the Chocolate Beverage Baristas, turning every order into a personalised experience built around Indian craft chocolate.
Highlights from the Beverage Menu
- Hazelnut Praline Latte – Espresso with caramelised white chocolate.
- Cinnamon Spiced Chocolate – Warm chocolate with cinnamon and ginger.
- Chilli Milk Chocolate – Milk chocolate with a Guntur chilli kick.
- Dark Chocolate Orange – Rich dark chocolate with citrus notes.
- Pistachio Matcha Latte – Matcha blended with creamy pistachio.
- Malted Chocolate Chai – Chai infused with malt and chocolate.
- Vanilla Malted Milk Chocolate – Creamy milk chocolate with vanilla.
- Iced Tiramisu Latte – A chilled, dessert-inspired coffee.
- Date Iced Dark Chocolate – Dark chocolate sweetened with dates.
- Custard Matcha Iced Chocolate – Matcha, chocolate and silky custard.
- Chocolate Chunk Cookie Shake – Thick shake with cookie chunks.
- Cherry Cheese Shake – Cherry and chocolate dessert in a glass.
- Salted Caramel Shake – Buttery caramel with white chocolate.
- Raspberry Brownie Fudge Shake – Brownie richness with raspberry notes.
- Italian Hazelnut Shake – Creamy shake with roasted hazelnut.
- Blueberry Oat Iced Chocolate – Dairy-free blueberry and oat blend.
- Chakkarakeli Banana Iced Chocolate – Banana meets dark chocolate.
- Maple Pecan Hot Chocolate – Vegan hot chocolate with maple.
During a special tasting session, Ruby Islam, Head of Product & Innovation at Manam Chocolate, demonstrated the preparation of several signature beverages, explaining the ingredients, flavour pairings and techniques behind each drink. Freshly baked craft cookies and warm mini croissants were served alongside the beverages during the tasting.
“With the Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar, we are inviting people to experience Indian craft chocolate in an entirely unique way. These are more than just chocolate beverages. They are layered flavour experiences built around our craft chocolate couvertures, with every element made from scratch. From the almond praline and brownies used in our shakes to the custard in our matcha latte, we create almost every component in-house so that every drink is playful, flavourful and unmistakably Manam. Our goal was to reimagine what a chocolate beverage can be and showcase just how versatile Indian craft chocolate can be in every cup,” shared Ruby Islam.
Visited, Tasted & Reviewed
I tried the Blueberry Oat Iced Chocolate, and the balance of flavours stood out from the first sip. The drink opened with the rich, slightly bitter notes of dark cocoa, while the oat milk added a creamy texture. The blueberry foam brought a subtle fruity finish, keeping the beverage mildly chocolatey without becoming overly sweet. The flavours blended well, making it refreshing and easy to enjoy.
Later, I went for the Cherry Cheese Shake, and its colourful presentation immediately caught my attention. I found myself taking a few photos even before the first sip. The shake opened with a mild cheesy flavour, followed by the richness of dark chocolate and the sweetness of cherries. The combination gave it a smooth, dessert-like taste, while each flavour came through naturally.
I also tried the range of craft cookies, including the Ragi and Jaggery Cookie. Made with jaggery instead of refined sugar, it had a natural sweetness with the earthy notes of ragi coming through. It was different from the usual sweet cookies, with a simple homemade taste and a topping of nutty pieces.
The Manam Chocolate Beverage Bar is open daily from 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Alongside more than 24 handcrafted beverages, guests can also pair their drinks with pastries and savouries. The average cost for two is around Rs. 1,200, while deliveries are available across Hyderabad through Swiggy and Zomato.
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