Winter is here and there is no better way to warm up than with a delicious cup of hot chocolate. Luckily, Tarrytown is rich with options that appeal to the chocolate lover looking to kill the chill.

Coffee Labs Roasters, located on Main Street, is a popular coffee shop, especially with Hackley students. Famous for its award-winning espresso and coffee drinks, its hot chocolate is a hidden treasure worth trying. Crafted from Mast Brothers chocolate and combined with steamed milk, this classic hot chocolate is simple yet delightful, and kid-friendly too. If plain hot chocolate is not your taste, there are a variety of flavored syrups that can be added to enhance the flavor.

Another cozy café worth visiting is Mint Premium Foods, located west of Coffee Labs on Main Street. This family-run grocery store and café serves exotic cheeses, sandwiches, and an exquisite hot cocoa. Server Daniel Fry told The Dial, “essentially all it is, is melted dark chocolate, half-and-half, and steam using an espresso machine.” Mint’s hot chocolate has a thin layer of milk foam on top covering a dark chocolate drink with a hint of cinnamon. It is not overly sweet or thick, and sophomore Mikhaila Archer commented that it was “a way better version of Swiss Miss.” Like its hot chocolate, Mint’s customer service is different; the waiter brought extra hot cocoa in mini teacups to the table.

Muddy Water Coffee and Café, a small, homey joint near the end of Main Street, serves a soothing, and extra creamy cup of hot chocolate. Although it does not have the richest chocolate flavor, its silky texture and hints of vanilla will surely satisfy any sweet tooth. Linton Suttner, the owner, informed The Dial that the cafe uses chocolate syrup and steamed milk to create a scrumptious blend that is easily customizable. Topped with marshmallows, whipped cream and cocoa powder, this sweet treat is the ideal winter drink.

If you are willing to venture down into Manhattan for a tasty bite to eat, you may want to stop by Toloache on the Upper East Side for a must-have hot chocolate with a Mexican kick. This authentic Mexican restaurant adds cinnamon into the chocolate and steamed milk mixture to create a complex flavor that leaves you wanting more. It pairs very well with Toloache’s mini churros or any other of their delicious desserts. Sophomore Katy Robertson described the beverage as “comforting, exotic and especially delicious because of the hint of spice in it. It really brings out the chocolate flavor.”

Whether you want a super rich and creamy beverage, or a lighter and sweeter cup of hot chocolate, Tarrytown and New York City have the coolest places for you.

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Credit: Natalie Sukhman

Coffee Labs' hot chocolate is a must-try.