How sweet it is to be located in West University and Rice Village these days. The area once lacking for sweetness now boasts multiple outlets for those craving cake, chocolate, and frozen confections (SusieCakes, Steel City Pops). Sugarfina, the most recent addition to the sweet shop lineup (with one location open in The Galleria), satisfies grown-up candy temptations—mature versions of classic treats.

During my inaugural visit, I marveled over the glistening displays of posh packages—gummy bears in flavors such as pineapple, grapefruit, bourbon, and “rosé all day”; 24K gold swizzle sticks; and rosette hard candies made with (natch) real rosewater.

However, as a consummate choco-phile, I was most smitten with Sugarfina’s dazzling array of bonbons. “Ask for a taste!” demanded their labels. So I did and soon fell in love with creative varieties like the rich, refreshing Mint Chocolate Chip Milkshake, heady bourbon chocolate caramels, and Princess Pearls (crispy rice balls dipped in milk chocolate and coated in a light pink shell).

Sugarfina offers patrons the opportunity to create their own candy bento box and vends specially curated themed and custom-designed treats for occasions like birthdays, bridal and baby showers, and weddings. Die-hard sugar addicts should also sign up for a free store account, which offers subscribers gratis monthly candy, as well as a birthday gift.

These aforementioned stellar sweets come at a price, and given Sugarina’s description as a “luxury candy shop,” don’t expect it to be just a penny. However, the elevated quality of the ingredients (real fruit juice/flavoring whenever possible and high-grade cacao) and aesthetically-pleasing presentation, they’re worth the cash as well as caloric indulgence.