We’ve reached winter. It’s cold—we’re all familiar with the wind seeping through our fall-appropriate cargo pants and bunching our fists in the palm of our gloves. We need hot chocolate. If you’re wondering where to find the best cup in the city, I’ve got you. Look no further for an exceptionally informative and professional list of the best drink of the season. 

If you like it cheap: Tim Hortons

Location: 666 rue Sherbrooke O

Rating: 3/10 stars

Tim Hortons is almost always a last resort. Naturally, I go there often. On a student’s budget, there’s nothing quite like counting out a toonie and two quarters to exchange for hot chocolate from a machine. Watery, weak, but not hot enough to burn your tongue. They also have a seasonal “marble swirl” option (it tastes the same for 50 cents more). If I’m honest, the hot chocolate will always muscle its way out of the cup and onto my toasty mittens, but I’m not sure if that’s the fault of my shivering or whoever engineers the Tims lids.

If you want to feel fancy: Marius et Fanny

Location: 2006 rue St-Hubert

Rating: 9/10 stars

The only reason I know about this pâtisserie is because I used to live on rue St-Hubert. It’s a tiny shop with fondant chocolates and fresh bread. And when you order a hot chocolate, they ask, “What kind would you like?” There are five types of hot chocolate to choose from, and I’ve never had a bad drink. The options range in chocolate percentage—each sourced from different parts of South America and Africa. When I go here, I feel like I’ve stepped out of my academic nightmares into a peaceful little slice of France. It’s good stuff. 

If you want options: L’Affaire est Chocolat! 

Location: 2350 rue Beaubien E

Rating: 7/10 stars

I’ll admit: This one is a little bit of a hike, but it’s worth it. I felt like I was entering Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory because there’s a whole hot chocolate bar. I counted 18 (!) options for chocolate, three options for creaminess, and options for “added character.” I was a little hesitant about adding fleur de sel, but this shop might have won me over. Whether you’re a fan of bitter, rich, or spiced chocolate, I’m sure these chocolate gods will concoct the right cure for winter blues. I will be going back—despite the seven dollar hit my wallet took.

If you want it now: Gerts 

If you don’t know where this is, are you even a McGill student? Students’ Society of McGill University (SSMU) basement, 3480 rue McTavish

Rating: 5/10 stars

I’m almost shocked by the amount of people who don’t know Gerts is a café during school hours. It’s convenient. The staff are nice. There are student discounts. The hot chocolate isn’t terrible. I’d almost label it “alright.” Between classes, this is a nice little treat to warm up your cold engineer soul. For everyone else, the hot chocolate is a slightly watery way to keep you on a sugar high during your next class or help you brave an icy walk home.  

If you like absolute garbage: Second Cup

Locations: 2200 McGill College Ave, inside the McGill Metro, etc.

Rating: 1/10 stars

This is the kind of place where I don’t even order a drink. I watched my friend order a hot chocolate—a white hot chocolate too, even worse. She didn’t finish the cup, and when I said she could offer the rest to a friend when we got to class, she said that would be cruel. It’s a load of sugar masquerading as hot chocolate. It’s bad, and if I didn’t know better, I’d think the hot chocolate here was a joke.