When you think of summer flavors, chocolate may not top the list—but maybe it should. Rich, nuanced, and endlessly pairable, Ritual’s bean-to-bar chocolates can be the surprising star of your summer spread, from sunny afternoon picnics to cozy nights by the firepit.
“People don’t relate summer to chocolate as much,” says Ritual co-founder Anna Seear. “But I like to keep it simple. I try to find easy ways to incorporate chocolate with what’s in season, and it’s fun to think about using it in different forms.”
One of her favorite tricks: Just break up a bar and microwave it for 30 seconds for instant chocolate fondue. Dip fresh strawberries, raspberries, or sliced peaches—no prep required.
Here are a few of our favorite ways to enjoy Ritual chocolate during the warmer months:
Picnic Fondue
Chocolate on a sunny day? Might sound risky, but the warmth can actually enhance the experience—especially when paired with fresh summer produce. Toss your favorite bar into a picnic basket or hiking backpack and let it soften slightly in the sun for effortless chocolate dipping with strawberries, raspberries, stone fruit, or figs.
Elevate Your Cheeseboard
Chocolate belongs on more than just dessert plates. Put it in a savory setting to create unexpected, sophisticated bites. Break up a few Ritual bars and build a next-level summer cheeseboard. Rich, dark chocolate pairs beautifully with ripe fruit, soft or funky cheeses, and toasted nuts.
Try these standout combos:
• Après Bar + aged cheddar
• Honeycomb Toffee + triple crème or Park City Creamery brie (drizzle with Utah-local Hollow Tree honey for extra flair)
• Juniper Lavender Chocolate + lemon sage cheddar from Heber Valley Creamery
• Single-origin bar (like Madagascar or Belize) + funky, wash-rind cheese like Taleggio (Anna’s favorite)
Reinvent the Classic S’more
Put a twist on this fireside favorite by swapping out the traditional chocolate squares for Honeycomb Toffee Minis to add a buttery crunch. The mini bars melt just right and are perfectly sized for a mess-free creation.
Bubbles + Chocolate
Summer is bubbly season, and a glass of chilled sparkling rosé, prosecco, or champagne pairs brings out the nuanced notes of the Après Bar—a match made for toasts, dessert, or just casual evenings on the patio.
Want to skip the booze? Make a tart cherry spritzer (mix tart cherry juice, soda water, and a slice of orange) and sip it alongside the Cherry Vanilla Bar or a dark single-origin bar like Belize, which has dark cherry notes.
Try a Chocolate Old-Fashioned
For cocktail hour with depth, try a cacao-infused summer Old Fashioned. First, steep cacao nibs in your favorite whiskey for about an hour or overnight, then build the cocktail as usual, adding mole or chocolate bitters. To finish with a decadent flourish, wet the rim of the glass and dip it in grated chocolate. Make it more seasonally appropriate by topping it with soda water for more of a chocolatey summer spritz.
Better Ice Cream Toppings
Skip the sprinkles and top your favorite scoop of ice cream with broken bits of a Ritual bar. A classic vanilla bean ice cream pairs beautifully with the Madagascar Bar, which offers bright, fruity notes.
From Sipping Chocolate into Mousse
After a long day outdoors, wind down with a little cup of sipping chocolate by mixing melted chocolate with milk and/or water. Or for the easiest summer dessert: Chill it in the fridge overnight to transform it into a velvety mousse. Top with berries, a drizzle of honey, or shaved chocolate—or just eat it straight.
Author: Jené Shaw
