Photo by Adobe Stock | ibravery
Just because we’re done decking the halls doesn’t mean winter becomes a wasteland of despair. These Westchester drinks will keep your spirits bright until spring.
With additional reporting by Scout O’ Donnell
If we see another piece of peppermint bark before next December, it will be too soon. But is there a decent middle ground of seasonal drinks that aren’t played out, overly sweet, or just plain at the end of their run? These Westchester coffee joints have found the answer to making the sun setting at 4 p.m. a little more bearable.
Brown Sugar Cardamom Latte at Good Witch Coffee
134 South Side Ave; Hastings-on-Hudson; 914.920.4077
If you’re not too keen on the peppermint and caramel flavors that tend to accompany the colder months, be prepared to meet your new go-to. Sweet, herbal, and fragrant is what you can expect in every sip of this delectable drink. Sugar, spice, and everything nice is exactly what this latte is made of.
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Chocolate Peanut Butter Latte at Laughing Horse Coffee & Tea
6 Purdy St, Harrison; 914.786.4125
A liquid Reese’s peanut butter cup is the name of this game. The rich dark chocolate and peanut butter don’t battle the espresso in this latte. Instead, they do a well-choregraphed waltz that gives coffee lovers the heartiness of the java without being too sweet. Drink with caution; this latte is addictive.
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Cold Brew “Bliss” at Slave to the Grind
58 Pondfield Rd, Bronxville; 914.961.7777
If you’re not ready to give up the peppermint ghost (no shame), Slave to the Grind stands by your cause. The “Bliss” cold brew is a hodgepodge of deliciousness served on ice: half cold brew coffee, half candy cane iced coffee, and topped with foamed vanilla milk. It is fa-la-la-flawless, even if it’s January.
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Cookie Butter Latte at Flour Power
4668 Boston Post Rd, Pelham Manor; 914.222.0704
Yes, by definition, Flour Power is a bakery, but to accept that definition and keep pushing it is an egregious act. A purveyor of caffeine and stacked with an arsenal of seasonal staples, the shop’s siren song is the cookie butter latte. If you’ve ever gotten your hand stuck in a jar of Speculoos, you get what we’re talking about. Luscious with just the right amount of cinnamon and nutmeg, this drink will turn even the staunchest of sweets-haters into aficionados.
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Gingerbread Latte and Rose Mocha at Caffé Ammi
109 6th St, Pelham; 914.738.2511
This roastery and tasting room is bringing back a holiday caffeinated classic with the gingerbread latte, fit for anyone who needs a quick hit that will also satisfy the sweet tooth. Just looking at the latte is mouthwatering, as the perfectly frothed milk is topped with decadent gingerbread crumbs to add an extra layer of comfort. If you weren’t able to decorate a house this year, here’s the perfect way to get your gingerbread fix for the season. And if you’re really on the down low, ask for a rose mocha at the counter — while it’s off the official menu, the baristas are still happy to make it. Airy floral notes mingle with silky mocha for a bouquet of flavors within a cardboard sleeve.
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Green Tea Ginger Twist at Hastings Tea & Coffee
235 Main St, White Plains; 914.428.1000
If you’ve been battling a runny nose for the better part of the month, this soul-soothing zinger will set you back to normal. Made with immunity-boosting gunpowder green tea, serotonin-soaring ginger, and throat-coating honey, it’s the perfect way to wave your winter blues goodbye.
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Maple Spice Latte at Muddy Water Coffee & Café
52 Main St, Tarrytown; 914.909.2826
If you’re still holding onto the vestiges of fall deep into the wee months of winter, this will warm your cold, probably Libra (guilty) heart. The maple spice lattes pay homage to the comfort we all crave — and continue to crave — once summer ends and hot drinks are back in style. No tree tap required.
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Pistachio Shortbread Latte at Booskerdoo Coffee & Baking Co.
716 Saw Mill River Rd, Ardsley; 914.231.5505
Yes, you read that correctly — pistachio. Shortbread. Latte. Buttery with just the right hint of salt, this is the drink grandmas around the world worry about. While maybe it can’t replace nana’s cookies right out of the oven, it’s a great placeholder and an even better way to start your morning.
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Praline Latte at Peekskill Coffee House
101 S Division St, Peekskill; 914.739.1287
The menu at this beloved northerly brew spot may seem simple, but one sip will prove the baristas here to be masters of the art of caffeine. The seasonal latte rotates every two weeks at Peekskill Coffee House, so there’s always a surprise to be had. Head over now to catch the praline latte and its buttery, nutty, sweet goodness.
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BONUS SIP
Spiced Cider at BXVL Coffeehouse
2 Station Plz, Bronxville; 914.600.8139
If you’re not a caffeine hound and dislike the taste of coffee altogether, hope is not lost. The hot spiced cider at BXVL Coffeehouse will keep you warm from the inside out without keeping you up all night. Cozy cup, secured.
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Related: Catch a Buzz at These Top Coffee Shops and Cafés in Westchester
