Vancouver's ultimate summer drink festival has returned | Daily Hive

After its successful debut last year, Vancouver’s Koolfest Summer Hot Chocolate Festival has returned with 48 different drinks to try.

The festival takes place from July 1 to Aug. 4 and has participating vendors across Metro Vancouver creating some delicious cold drinks and frozen treats. Think chocolate milk, iced coffees, milkshakes, floats, fruit slushies, iced teas, bubble teas, and more.

This year also has a twist, as all the vendors have been asked to centre their creations around the theme “We Are Canadian,” with the goal to riff on items iconic to Canadian culture, history, gastronomy, or nature. And this year, the vendors really ran with it.

Highlights include creations like the Cheezie Squeezie from Who is Joe? Coffee Roasters, a drink made with real Hawkins Cheezies macerated into a simple syrup that is added to a lemonade squeezed fresh to order.

You’ll also be able to find other drinks like the Kistilano Rose and Lychee Blossom Float from Koko Monk Hot Chocolate Lounge (a 35 per cent iced jasmine tea oat white hot chocolate float layered with rose-petal botanicals, real lychee, and a scoop of lychee and rose gelato), Frozen River from Broyé Cafe (a frozen smoothie blending tropical mango with tangy rhubarb and a hint of cinnamon, layered over a rich smoky maple syurup base, crowned with blue crushed ice with blue raspberry flavour, and finished with a Canada goose-shaped maple taffy placed on top), and the Coffee Crisp Affogato from Vanilla Bean Bakeshop (vanilla bean ice cream topped with a shot of espresso and finished with a generous coating of crushed Coffee Crisp).

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Keep on reading to see the full list of vendors and flavours available at this year’s festival.

Koolfest Vendors and Flavours

49th Parallel Café and Lucky’s Doughnuts

Summer Berry Pie Cold Brew (available July 1 to Aug. 4): 49th Parallel’s delicious cold brew topped with a prairie berry flavoured cold foam and finished with a crumble topping.
Berry Vanilla Crème (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Strawberry purée, milk, and prairie berry cold foam come together to make a kid-friendly version of its Summer Berry Pie Cold Brew.

À La Mode Pie Café

Nanaimo to Saskatoon Berry-Bar Blast Trip (Available July 1 to 20): A refreshing iced Saskatoon mint lemonade featuring vibrant purple berry layers in an Arnold Palmer–style gradient finished with a fluffy, salty cream cloud, whipped cream top, and a maple leaf–shaped Nanaimo bar garnish for a distinctly Canadian touch. There’s also the option to include a side goodie pairing of a rose-shaped puff pastry filled with sweet-tart Saskatoon berries and silky custard cream.
Canada Goose Maple Taffy on Lake Louise (Available July 21 to Aug. 4): A bold frozen smoothie blending tropical mango with tangy rhubarb and a hint of cinnamon, layered over a rich smoky maple syrup base. Crowned with blue crushed ice with blue raspberry flavour, and finished with a playful Canada goose–shaped maple taffy perched on top — sweet, icy, and full of texture. You have the option to include a side goodie pairing, a rich, gooey butter tart reimagined with a cinnamon roll crust.

AbracaShaba Focacceria and Cafe

Pickle Limeade (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Limeade squeezed to order with house-made pickle juice and topped with a homemade pickle spear.
Berry Chantilly Matcha (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Blume organic matcha with homemade berry, almond, and lemon syrups.

Bonus Bakery

Lake Okanagan Sunset (Available July 1 to 18): An Okanagan peach sweet tea lemonade paired with the much-requested ‘chick’n-n-waffle’ slider, first released for the 2026 Hot Chocolate Festival (this combo is fully vegan).
Double Double Maple (Available July 19 to Aug. 4): A maple cold foam iced latte served with a maple-glazed donut. Fully vegan as well, along with everything else at Bonus Plant-Based Bakery.

Broyé Cafe

Frozen River Banan (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Creamy banana milk base sweetened with a touch of traditional Vietnamese condensed milk served in a handcrafted dark chocolate shell coated cup and topped with smooth cream cheese foam garnished with crispy dried banana chips and strawberry, with an optional pairing of its signature Mini Mochi Croissant.
B.C. Lake Crackle (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): A fusion of matcha (or hojicha) with fresh B.C. strawberries served with a crackable dark chocolate top infused with a hint of Vancouver sea salt and topped with buttery, toasted house-made croutons. There is also an optional pairing of a Canadian macaron — a sweet tribute to the national flag.

Butter Baked Goods

Butter’s Vineyard, and a Very Merry Canadian Medley (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Red and white crushed grape beverage topped with Butter’s classic Canadiana treat skewer, with a mini Nanaimo bar, butter tart bar, and peanut butter ball.

Cassandra Cake Co.

Iced Eh-spresso Maple Mocha (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): An iced white chocolate mocha with rich espresso and real maple syrup, topped with maple cold foam and Canadian sprinkles.

Cathy’s Cafe

Oh Corn-a-da (available July 2 to Aug. 4): Naturally sweet B.C. corn juice layered with silky coconut cold foam and a touch of sea salt. Inspired by the sweet corn drinks enjoyed across many Asian households, this creamy, refreshing, and naturally vegan beverage celebrates both our local B.C. harvest and our cultural heritage. Each drink features one whole corn, with the option to add a coconut macaroon with a “corn-y” twist as a side.
Butter Together Latte (Available July 2 to Aug. 4): Sweet caramel, vanilla, maple, buttery goodness, a touch of cinnamon, and subtle notes of raisins come together in a cozy iced drink that tastes just like a classic Canadian butter tart (can be made decaf by request). An optional cinnamon caramel macaroon add-on is also available.

Crème de la Crumb

You’re a B.C. Peach (Available July 2 to 31): In collaboration with Canadian craft soda maker, Pop-Off, this bright and punchy dirty soda is made with peach purée, Pop-Off Peach Soda made from B.C.-grown peaches, topped with a dash of cream.
Nanaimo Chill (Available July 2 to 31): The Nanaimo Bar is made into a refreshing iced espresso drink with notes of coconut and dark chocolate, finished with a vanilla custard cold foam and a sprinkle of toasted coconut.

Drunken Chocolatier

Ling Cha Float (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): An iced HK lemon tea float with lemon sorbet paired with a Kaya French Toast Bonbon.
Souped Up Black Cow (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): An iced coffee float with Horlicks black sesame ice cream paired with a Kaya French Toast Bonbon.

Everbean Cafe

Affogato, eh? Give me a break! (Available July 2 to 31): Double espresso pulled straight on a KitKat ice cream bar to partially melt the chocolate shell and allow the ice cream to seep out slowly. Sprinkled with house-made maple oat streusel for a crunchy contrast. Pick up the ice cream bar to eat and dip, or use the stick to stir everything together to enjoy. Decaf espresso is available upon request.
O Canada, I love you a latte! (Available July 2 to 31): Iced oat latte sweetened with pure maple syrup and topped with vegan cinnamon cold foam.

Flying Whale Waterfront Café

Maple Berry Fizz (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Sparkling lemonade with maple and berry syrup, served with rock candy, maple leaf lollipop, and edible flowers.
Pacific Blue Fizz (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Sparkling lemonade with blue curacao syrup, served with rock candy, gummies, and edible flowers.

Hanoi Drip Coffee

Blueberry Cheesecake Latte (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Bold Vietnamese coffee, sweet B.C. blueberry, and silky cheesecake cream inspired by a classic blueberry cheesecake.
Blueberry Cheesecake Matcha (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Smooth ceremonial matcha, house-made B.C. blueberry purée, and velvety cheesecake cream.

Kafka’s the Park

Artic Mint Avalanche (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): A refreshing frozen treat inspired by Canada’s icy north. A minty vanilla ice cream slush blended with cookie crumbs, poured into a crisp chocolate shell cup.

Koko Monk Hot Chocolate Lounge

Kitsilano Rose and Lychee Blossom Float (Available July 1 to 12): A 35 per cent iced jasmine tea oat white hot chocolate float layered with rose-petal botanicals, real lychee and a scoop of lychee and rose gelato.
The Pacific Velvet Matchagava (Available July 13 to 24): A 35 per cent iced matcha white hot chocolate built on ceremonial Japanese green tea, oat milk and a core of vegan blueberry guava gelato.
Iced “Lavendar Alibi” Cold Velvet (Available July 25 to Aug. 4): A 35 per cent iced lavender, chamomile, and fig hot chocolate built on oat milk, layered with purple raspberry-infused oat milk.

Life Is Sweet Confections:

Mighty Moose Sunday (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Creamy vanilla gelato swirled with house-made chocolate fudge and crunchy peanut-butter cup chunks, scooped into a chocolate-dipped waffle cone and crowned with a chocolate maple leaf.

Melt Confectionary

Nanaimo Bar Cold Brew (Available July 1 to 16): Iced cold brew coffee with chocolate, coconut, and a custardy cold foam.
So Not Sorry (Available July 17 to Aug. 4): Pina colada slush layered with strawberry.

Mercado Bakery and Panadería

Iced Cajeta Mapple Latte (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Double shot of espresso over iced mixed with house-made cajeta (Mexican goat’s milk caramel) and pure Canadian maple syrup, topped with cold milk. You can also add a Concha Canadiense, a Canada Day twist on its signature concha, served with a red and white sugar topping cut into a maple leaf pattern and filled with salted caramel cream.
Iced Café de Olla (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Slow-stepped locally roasted coffee with raw sugar, cinnamon sticks, and orange peel, and poured over ice. Concha Canadiense is also available to add on.

Mink Chocolates

The Great Cold One (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Iced dark mocha served in a handcrafted milk chocolate crack cup named after hockey greatness.
Lord Stanley’s Matcha (Available July 1 to 4): Iced matcha crafted with vibrant Denman Island matcha and white chocolate ganache, served with a treat from Uno Gelato described as matcha ganache meets vanilla bean gelato “worthy of a victory lap with Lord Stanley.”

Nelson the Seagull Cafe

Naartji-eh Creamsicle (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): An orange (or, as South Africans say, Naartji) and coconut creamsicle drink made with freshly squeezed orange juice mixed with coconut water, sweetened with maple syrup, and topped with coconut cream.

Railtown Cafe

B.C. Cherry Dark Chocolate Iced Mocha (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): An iced mocha made with dark chocolate and B.C. cherry syrup, topped with whipped cream, chocolate ribbons, and a fresh cherry.
S’mores Cold Brew (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Toasted marshmallow syrup and iced home-brewed cold brew topped with marshmallow cold foam and graham cracker dusting.

SWEET7 Fruit Tea

Thai Tea Frappe (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Thai milk tea blended with Canadian dairy and maple, layered with silky tofu pudding and topped with crunchy cereal.
Thai Milk Chocolate Boba (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Thai milk tea blended with chocolate and Canadian dairy served over ice with warm and chewy boba pearls.

Uno Gelato

Mare a Mare (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): A scoop of toasted mpale walnut gelato served under a shot of espresso and finished with whipped cream and a drizzle of ají-infused maple syrup. Served alongside a mini cone holding its signature milk chocolate bonbon filled with Uganda vanilla gelato and rosemary-burnt caramel.
Pesca Veneziana (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Okanagan Peach sorbetto floated in Aelo’s Vancouver-made non-alcoholic peach bellini, finished with a splash of coconut cream and a thread of Quebec maple syrup.

Uprising Breads Bakery

The Sasquatch (Available July 1 to 18): Iced matcha latte, alyered with house-made raspberry jam.
BEARly Awake (Available July 19 to Aug. 4): An espresso-based drink blending coffee, smooth chocolate, and creamy peanut butter syrup into one cozy creation.

Vanilla Bean Bakeshop

Worms and Dirt Iced Mocha (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): A mocha mixed with rich cookies and cream flavours, topped with decadent chocolate col foam, chocolate cookie crumble “dirt,” and a gummy worm.
Coffee Crips Affogato (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): House-made vanilla bean ice cream topped with espresso and finished with a generous coating of crushed Coffee Crisp.

Who is Joe? Coffee Roasters

Cheezie Squeezie (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): Real Hawkins Cheezies macerated into a simple syrup served in a squeezed-to-order lemonade.
The Sticky Hicky (Available July 1 to Aug. 4): House-made cold brew steeped with real Hickory Sticks and finished with a maple cold foam.

Koolfest

When: July 1 to Aug. 4
Where: Participating vendors across Metro Vancouver

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Dished is a proud community sponsor of Koolfest