Italian meringue, Kahlua and more: 11 places for hot chocolate in Westchester, Rockland

One way to make winter bearable? Sitting indoors warm and cozy with a steaming mug of hot chocolate. Even better if there's caramel drizzle on top, perhaps a pretzel (for that sweet and salty flavor), a scoop of ice cream and, possibly, a little booze. The following Westchester and Rockland places offer hot chocolates with a twist and are definitely worth braving the cold to get one.

What follows is a sampling, in no particular order. Scroll down to find your new favorite.

Rockland

Orangetown Classic Diner, Orangeburg

No one does "big" like a diner and Orangetown Classic, known for its oversized shakes and Instagrammable food (they were a "Best Thing I Ate" in 2023) is no different. Their variety of hot chocolates, made with premium sauces, flavors, extracts and whole milk, will def keep you warm (and "sugared up!")

Options include the Ghirardelli salted caramel hot chocolate in a chocolate chip-rimmed mug topped with fresh whipped cream, caramel drizzle, and a pretzel stick for that extra sweet and salty crunch; the Peppermint hot chocolate with all natural peppermint bark sauce and mint extract in a mint white chocolate M&M-studded glass topped with homemade whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies; and their white hot chocolate studded with Ghirardelli white chocolate jumbo chips on a vanilla frosted glass, topped with whipped cream and a vanilla drizzle served with a Pirouline chocolate hazelnut wafer.

If that's not enough, there's the "Ultimate Hot Chocolate": Ghirardelli hot chocolate in an Oreo cookie-encrusted glass, topped with a homemade red velvet Nutella stuffed cupcake, freshly toasted marshmallows, whipped cream and Nutella drizzle. 512 NY-303, 845-359-3592, orangetownclassicdiner.com.

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Art Cafe, Nyack

Looking for a hot chocolate that's more like a latte? Steamed milk makes this version creamy while the made-from-scratch hot chocolate powder gives if a more chocolatey flavor. 65 S. Broadway, 845-353-4230, artcafenyack.com.

Noble Cafe, Sparkill

For those who prefer their drinks cold, even in frigid temperatures, Noble serves a decadent frozen hot chocolate. You can also opt for their hot chocolate bomb made from dark and milk chocolate topped with whipped cream, peppermint and marshmallows. 641 Main St., 845-236-6247, noblecafe.business.site.

The Village Blend, Sloatsburg

The baristas at The Village Blend are constantly mixing things up— which means lots of creative winter warmers for you. The cafe's traditional hot chocolate features a rich cocoa powder mixed with a gourmet dark chocolate sauce, steamed milk and whipped cream.

There's also a “Chai Hot Chocolate,” made from a chai blend and chocolate sauce. Other options include white chocolate, caramel, peppermint, strawberry and Nutella. 86 Orange Turnpike, 845-712-5585, thevillageblend.net.

Westchester

Bella's Bake Shop, Mount Kisco

How's this for different? A warm croissant filled with hot chocolate! Owner/Baker David Chiappinelli begins with classic croissant dough, expertly shaped and baked in a ring mold to emerge as a perfect flat cylinder, reminiscent of a saucer. He then takes the top 15% of the croissant and, with precision, scoops out the center to create a generous hollow cavity. Then comes the magic — the addition of his bakery's indulgent, housemade velvety hot chocolate.

The pièce de résistance is the Italian meringue, delicately piped on top, then artfully torch-toasted to resemble fluffy marshmallows. 69 S. Moger Ave., 914-864-0311, bellasbakeshop.com.

Of interest: We've already seen 14 new Westchester, Rockland restaurants in 2024. Here's the rundown

Augustine’s Salumeria, Mamaroneck

Add more warmth to your hot chocolate by making it boozy. The creative creation at Augustine's is mixed with infused peppermint vodka, a house-blended hot chocolate (which includes New York State dark chocolate) and br?léed marshmallow. 213 Halstead Ave., 914-315-6541, augustinesny.com.

Ice Cream Social, White Plains

Why not mix hot with cold with a hot chocolate and ice cream flight? Ice cream flavors include cookie dough, cappuccino Kahlua, cookies and cream and strawberry paired with mint, salted caramel, cookies and cream and white chocolate hot chocolates. And yes, each hot drink contains a little bit of ice cream — this is an ice cream shop after all. 481 Mamaroneck Ave., 914-358-4323, icecreamsocialwp.com.

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Bona Bona Ice Cream, Port Chester

There's always a sense of fun — and fire — at Bona Bona where the hot chocolate features torched Italian meringue. Other ingredients in this beauty of a winter warmer? Whole milk, heavy cream, quality dark chocolate, Valrhona cocoa, cinnamon, vanilla and salt. 10 Westchester Ave., 914-481-5712, bonabonaicecream.com.

Wild Culture Waffles, Hastings-on-Hudson

Hot chocolates are made like lattes here, often with a fun design on top (I got a smiley face in a heart). You can also get yours affogato with frozen yogurt and a waffle cookie on top. 579 Warburton Ave., 917-485-9490, wildcultureny.com.

Blondery, Peekskill

The quality of ingredients is what sets the Blondery's hot chocolate apart, a combination of cocoa rouge powder, confectioner's sugar, coconut milk powder, oat milk and a hint of salt. This vegan mixture is also topped with marshmallow fluff. 922 Main St., 914-488-6168, blondery.com.

The Snackery, Rye

The Snackery has its own take on the viral Upper East Side Glace hot chocolate trending on Instagram. Theirs features a cup filled with housemade hot chocolate, topped with a soft square toasted marshmallow with a hole in the middle that's filled with whipped cream and a range of toppings such as M&M's, peppermint, sprinkles and Lucky Charms. 64 Purchase St., 914-481-1636, snackerybakeshop.com.

Jeanne Muchnick covers food and dining. Click here for her most recent articles and follow her latest dining adventures on Instagram @lohud_food or via the lohudfood newsletter. 

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Westchester, Rockland NY restaurants to warm up with hot chocolate