While the snow is beautiful, the frigid temperatures and grey skies can make it easy to give in to laziness and just stay home watching lecture recordings in pyjamas. However, we can bring the coziness of our living rooms out into the cold, wintery streets with a piping hot spiced beverage! This week, I visited six of my favourite cafés near campus to determine which has the best wintery, joyful seasonal drinks. 

Café Humble Lion – White chocolate latte 

Before I begin this review, I should say that I’m not the biggest coffee fan in the world, so this may rank lower for me than it would for most people. This coffee was good, although they could have gotten more creative with it. It tasted exactly what one would expect a regular latte with white chocolate syrup added to it to taste like. However, because this cafe is close to campus—and the fact that this was still a pretty solid coffee—I would come again. I think they could have levelled this up by adding peppermint or something nutty to the mix, but one can still appreciate the simplicity and quality of a good Humble Lion latte, and I could never turn down the little added sweetness of the white chocolate flavour. 

Overall rating: 7/10 

It was good. I’m ready for better. 

Edmond Café Cantine – Orange hot chocolate 

I walked into this cafe and asked for their best seasonal winter drink. The barista consulted another barista to prepare a special citrus-themed drink that was not featured on the menu. I do not kid when it comes to chocolate, so I was very excited. After trying it, I noted that it was creamy, and had a buttery, deep chocolate flavour. The orange was very subtle (maybe they forgot to add it?), but it still managed to be one of the best hot chocolates I’ve tasted in Montreal—and the café’s ambience gave it extra brownie points!

Overall rating: 9/10 

Café Saint–Barth – Hot chocolate 

This cafe is much closer to McGill than some of the others, and its ample desk space and cute decor make it a great study spot. The hot chocolate itself was adorable and delicious, topped with plenty of whipped cream, although it tasted a tad watery. While I would recommend the Edmond hot chocolate more, the convenience of this location boosts its rating.

Overall rating: 9/10 

Che Churros and Empanadas – Hot chocolate 

This hole-in-the-wall empanada shop in the Plateau is a personal favourite of my roommates and me. I ordered their hot chocolate, which they only serve during the winter season. It was gorgeous—complete with colourful marshmallows, chunks of peppermint, dolloped whipped cream and sprinkles. What more could you ask for? Unfortunately, the hot chocolate was far too milky for my taste, feeling more like an over-decorated hot glass of milk. While the hot chocolate did not deliver, their empanadas and customer service are top-tier, so I will be going again.

Overall rating: 5/10 

Le Darling – Dirty chai 

Sometimes you just need a hot, cozy, spicy chai, and some caffeine to get the work done. I enjoyed this drink and highly recommend having a little study session at Bar Darling. The quirky furniture and mood lighting is chef’s kiss and there is plenty of space to spread out your belongings. Now, when it comes to their coffee, they know how to do it right. It’s classic, delicious, and the service is incredible.

Overall rating: 9/10