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Beat that New York chill with decadent hot chocolate, indulgent coffee flavors, and comforting cocktails galore this season.
It happens every year. First, the days get shorter. Then, the blistering chill settles into the region. Finally, snow falls in a white cover on the Valley, first as a light dusting and later a heavy blanket, one that refuses to budge without the strongest of shovels and the hardiest of plows. (While we may have yet to experience the latter yet this year, we’re mentally preparing for the day the snowfall arrives in full force.)
To cope with the inevitable three or so months that define the Hudson Valley frost fest, we’re reaching for the coziest cuppas that we can find. Think hot chocolate that’s homemade and paired with a twin cup of whipped cream, full-bodied coffee that tastes just like a toasty graham cracker, and a spicy latte that evokes cinnamon rolls and nights by the fire. Try one — or all — of them next time you need liquid warmth as you trek to work or venture out on a local day trip.
Café Miel at The Crafted Kup
If you love the warmth of a pumpkin spice latte but wish it wasn’t so, well, pumpkin-y, give the Café Miel at Crafted Kup a go. The cozy drink has an enjoyable spice to it that falls more in the family of cinnamon roll than pumpkin pie. As for sweetness, it walks the line between cloyingly sweet and full-on espresso to give you the caffeine kick you crave without the sugar crash an hour later. If comfort in a cup exists, this is it.
44 Raymond Ave, Poughkeepsie
48 Eastdale Ave N, Poughkeepsie
Poughkeepsie Galleria, Poughkeepsie
The Angelina at Verdigris Tea & Chocolate
Hudson is stunning in winter, so it makes sense that the town boasts a drink to suit. Enter Verdigris. Throughout the year, the upstate tea shop is a paradise for tea, pastries, coffee, and even smoothies. In winter, however, the only logical thing to order is one of the decadent concoctions on the chocolate bar menu. While you can’t go wrong with the spicy Mexican hot chocolate or the classic Hudson hot chocolate, you’ll enter chocolate nirvana with The Angelina. The dreamy beverage involves melty dark chocolate ganache served with a hearty side of whipped cream. Only serious chocolate lovers need apply.
135 Warren St, Hudson
Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea at Harney & Sons
Easily one of Harney’s most popular teas, the fortifying brew is readily available at supermarkets and coffee shops throughout the Hudson Valley (and beyond). Yet there’s something special about drinking it in the Millerton store amid the rows and rows of teas and trinkets. If you’ve never sampled the heady blend before, expect a cinnamon-packed punch on your first sip. From there, underlying notes of orange peel and clove shine through to the very last drop. This cozy drink is surprisingly sweet for being 100-percent sugar-free.
13 Main St, Millerton
Hot Chocolate at Art Cafe
If you’ve ever stopped by Art Cafe on a weekend, you know that it’s more than a little popular among the local crowd. (Pro tip: Book a reservation before you go!) While the food menu here is a real treat, thanks to the Israeli-inspired dishes, the drink selection is not to be missed. Keep an eye out for the seasonal lattes, which could be anything from brown sugar to bonbon. Or, if cocoa is what you crave, indulge in a behemoth cup of hot chocolate. It comes in standard chocolate and white chocolate varieties and is every bit as creamy and delicious as you’d want on a cold winter day.
65 S Broadway, Nyack
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Mocha at Village Coffee and Goods
Who doesn’t love a good Hudson Valley partnership? That’s why we’re all about Village Coffee and Goods using Fruition’s ground Hispaniola in its mocha. (P.S. It’s in the shop’s hot chocolate, too.) This cozy drink strikes the perfect balance of chocolate and coffee notes, making it a treat when you want a pick-me-up, but you’re also in the mood for something sweet.
17 Railroad Ave, Ste 102, Kingston
Related: Sweeten Your Holiday Gatherings With These Easy Fall Cocktails
