Winter in New York is known for its grey skies, blustery winds, and occasional snow showers. A delicious cup of hot chocolate is the perfect way to brighten up your day. While there’s nothing wrong with whipping up a cup instantly in your kitchen, New York is home to some indulgent hot chocolate creations. Check out some of our top picks for hot chocolate around the city!
THE CLASSICS
If you’re looking for the best hot chocolate in New York, stop by any of these locations for a legendary cup that’s guaranteed to hit the spot.
City Bakery is known for its decadent and rich hot chocolate served throughout the winter. Topped with a dense, gooey marshmallow made in-house, this thick, chocolaty treat is a favorite amongst New Yorkers. Every February, this popular spot serves a different daily flavor of hot chocolate during their annual Hot Chocolate Festival. Last year’s lineup included a range of creative concoctions like Vietnamese Cinnamon, Dark Chocolate Cherry Bitters, and Fresh Ginger. Stop by this month to see what they come up with this year!
New York’s specialty marshmallow purveyor, Squish Marshmallows offers its own version of a hot chocolate featuring their homemade marshmallows. Choose one of their marshmallow varieties, like Joe + Dough (coffee and doughnuts) or Peanut Butter Jelly Time, and let it melt into your hot chocolate. The combination of the flavored marshmallow and the hot chocolate elevates the classic beverage, taking it to the next level.
Hot chocolate at Amy’s Bread is a no-frills affair. They make their hot chocolate from a blend of artisanal chocolates (Scharffen Berger and Guittard, for any chocolate experts wondering) and whipped with milk for a creamy and smooth final product. Topped with a homemade marshmallow, enjoy this ganache-like beverage in a big bowl. The presentation may not be the most sophisticated, but the flavor more than makes up for it. It’s also one of the places you shouldn’t miss in the Hell’s Kitchen neighborhood.
FROM THE CHOCOLATIERS
It’s only natural for gourmet chocolatiers to excel at making a phenomenal hot chocolate.
MarieBelle’s Cacao Bar offers a hot chocolate variety for any palate. Their menu covers the spectrum from savory to sweet, offering varieties of dark hot chocolate, milk hot chocolate, and white hot chocolate, with options for add-ons. Opt for a milk chocolate cup with hazelnuts or banana or a white chocolate with matcha for a sweeter flavor profile. Their dark chocolate offerings get even more creative, with chipotle, ancho chili, and cinnamon options for a spicy kick, orange peel confit for brightness, or midnight espresso for a burst of energy.
Rich, smooth, and creamy, Jacque Torres delivers a top-notch hot chocolate. The simplicity of the recipe and quality of the ingredients set this perfectly milky and sweet treat apart from the rest. Pair it with one of their massive chocolate chip cookies for a “treat yourself” kind of day and bring home a tin of their hot chocolate mix to have some on hand.
SIGNATURE FLAVORS
Looking to shake up your traditional hot chocolate order? Check out one of these spots for their unique twist on the classic.
Tucked away in the Upper East Side is Two Little Red Hens, a charming little bakery with a killer Mexican hot chocolate on their menu. Made from a mix of chocolate, condensed milk, heavy cream and regular milk, the ultra-richness of the hot chocolate is cut with a spicy kick from a dash of cinnamon and red chili that warms the back of your throat in the best way possible.
Made from melted dark chocolate infused with dried lavender, Maman’s signature lavender hot chocolate is guaranteed to relax you. Don’t forget to try their nutty chocolate chip cookie hot chocolate, made with a blend of walnut and oat milk, and topped with cookie crumble. Come for the warm beverage, but stay for the charming rustic aesthetic across all their locations in the city.
Best known for their delicious and decadent cakes, Martha’s Country Bakery also dishes out a mean hot chocolate. Their red velvet hot chocolate combines the two beloved treats, taking the classics and infusing their flavors together. Martha’s blends steamed dark chocolate chips, red velvet powder, milk, and a bit of chocolate syrup, and top it all with whipped cream. If you’re not a fan of red velvet, they also serve classic, peanut butter, or Mexican hot chocolate, as well.
EXPERIENTIAL HOT CHOCOLATE
Stop by one of these spots for an all-immersive chocolate experience.
Step into Max Brenner Chocolate Bar for a whimsical chocolate fantasy. You’ll literally be surrounded by chocolate; from the whirring machine spinning a vat of melted chocolate in the entrance to tubes carrying chocolate criss crossing the ceiling, this place is for chocolate lovers. Their hot cocoa is served in a specially designed mug, aptly named the Hug Mug, creating an experience of warmth and indulgence. Build your own hot chocolate, choosing between milk, dark, or white chocolate varieties and add flavors ranging from hazelnut to mocha.
Housed in an actual chocolate factory, you’ll really feel the Willy Wonka-esque vibe at Fine & Raw. Comparable to drinking beer at a brewery, enjoy your hot chocolate while surrounded by the chocolate-making equipment. Don’t be fooled, this isn’t your average hot chocolate– their hot chocolate is made from melting down a bar of their pure, raw chocolate into steaming milk. The final product is a rich and thick beverage with a strong chocolate flavor, but may be more bitter than what you’d typically expect. Sugar and cinnamon are available to add as sweetener, if needed.
While these make up only a select portion of the hot chocolate offerings in New York, you can stop by any of these shops and find your favorite amongst all these incredible options. Grab a cup of chocolatey goodness to stay warm as you explore the city or to enjoy in the comfort of your home.
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