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Sweet Spots: Westchester's 15 Have To Have Hot Chocolates

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, N.Y. ----There's one good thing about winter weather: indulging in a mug of frothy hot chocolate. And if someone adds marshmallows -- all the better!

Get your chocolate fix with hot chocolate from Dig Inn in Rye Brook.

Get your chocolate fix with hot chocolate from Dig Inn in Rye Brook.

Photo Credit: Food Dudes
Valrhona hot chocolate at City Limits in White Plains.

Valrhona hot chocolate at City Limits in White Plains.

Photo Credit: Paul Johnson
The hot chocolate at Little Joe's in Katonah also comes in adult versions.

The hot chocolate at Little Joe's in Katonah also comes in adult versions.

Photo Credit: Submitted
Enjoying the white chocolate hot chocolate at Larchmont's Voracious Reader.

Enjoying the white chocolate hot chocolate at Larchmont's Voracious Reader.

Photo Credit: Skip Pearlman
Sipping hot chocolate at Chocolations in Mamaroneck.

Sipping hot chocolate at Chocolations in Mamaroneck.

Photo Credit: Submitted

Tuesday, Jan. 31 is National Hot Chocolate Day giving Westchesterites the perfect excuse to come in from the cold and have a "meltdown" with drinks that warm frosty fingers and toes.

Armonk, Millwood, Katonah: At Tazza Cafe you can pretty much craft your own hot chocolate, choosing the kind of milk, and the syrup (think caramel or peppermint). Whipped cream optional. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 400 Main St., Armonk, (914) 273-0788; 230 Saw Mill River Rd., Millwood, (914) 488-5227; 197 Katonah Ave., Katonah, (914) 232-3500, www.tazzacafeny.com/.

Bronxville:  It's hard to choose at Slave to the Grind where any kind of syrup -- hazelnut, peppermint, strawberry - can be added to your hot chocolate order. Popular for those with a sweet tooth: The S'Mores version made with graham crackers and marshmallows. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 58 Pondfield Rd., (914) 961-7777.

Croton, Pleasantville: The aroma of fresh brew hits you at The Black Cow Coffee Company in all its caffeinated glory. But when you want something a bit sweeter, try the hot chocolate made with Hershey's syrup and steamed milk. On request, you can add a syrup like peppermint or mocha and get it topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 4 Old Post Rd S., Croton-on-Hudson,  (914) 271-7544;  7 Wheeler Ave., Pleasantville, (914) 495-3727.

Irvington: Organic goodness -- and lots of gluten-free goodies -- define Red Barn Bakery. But it's also where you'll find a thoughtful and delightfully rich hot cocoa made with dark chunks of Italian chocolate, and frothy Half & Half, steamed as one would an espresso. Some heavy whipped cream and a touch of powdered sugar and one could say you've hit your sweet spot. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 4 S Astor St., (914) 231-7779, www.redbarn-bakery.com/.

Katonah: At both Little Joe's and Katonah Reading Room you'll find Ghirardelli hot chocolate made from a variety of milks, including almond or soy. Top it off with whipped cream or a chocolate or caramel drizzle. And, since hot chocolate isn't just for kids, there are adult versions as well including hot chocolate with espresso, mocha latte, and a cocoa caramel latte. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 26 Katonah Ave., (914) 232-7278, www.joescb.com/.

Larchmont: You have your choice of white or traditional hot chocolate (complete with a turret of whipped cream) at A Proper Cup at Voracious Reader where afterwards, you can go book browsing. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 1997 Palmer Ave., (914) 630-4581, www.thevoraciousreader.com/.

Also in town, Cocoa, which many consider the grand dame of hot chocolates. This version features a European-style winter warmer made with Belgian dark chocolate and a touch of whole milk and whipped cream. Homemade marshmallows are optional but worth going for. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 2107 Boston Post Rd., (914) 834-6464, www.cocoachocolateshop.com/.

Mamaroneck: With chocolate in its name, you know the hot chocolate at Chocolations has got to be good. Owner Maria Valente uses high-quality grade chocolate along with what she calls, her secret ingredient of love. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 607 East Boston Post Rd., (914) 777-3600, www.chocolations.com/.

Rye: Expect a creamy, decadent European-style cocoa at Blue Tulip Chocolate featuring a blend of French and Belgian chocolates. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 137 Purchase St, (914) 481-4840, www.bluetulipchocolates.com/.

Rye Brook: Dig Inn lets the customer choose their milk option -- soy, amond, whole half, then mixes it with chocolate from Boston-based Taza Chocolate which prides itself on its farmer to chocolate-maker relationship. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 112 S. Ridge St. Rye Brook; (914) 305-8463, www.diginn.com/.

Scarsdale and Rye: One sip of the dark and mercilessly rich hot chocolate at Patisserie Salzburg and you'll swear you've just sipped perfection in a cup. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 1 Christie Place, Scarsdale, (914) 472-8300 and at 77 Purchase St., Rye, (914) 921-4458, www.patisseriesalzburg.com/.

Peekskill: Hot chocolate served the old-fashioned way is how The Peekskill Coffee House does it. Just whole milk and chocolate syrup -- about a three to one ratio of dark chocolate to white. You can also substitute with skim milk, almond or soy. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 101 S Division St., (914) 739-1287, www.peekskillcoffee.com/.

Port Chester: The breads and pastries alone are worth the visit to the Kneaded Bread. Add to that the hot chocolate made with semi-sweet chocolates, a touch of vanilla and cinnamon for a rich, frothy mixture. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 181 N. Main St., (914) 937-9489, www.kneadedbread.com/.

Tarrytown: Drinks are taken seriously at Coffee Labs Roasters, and the hot chocolate is no different. Find a seat and relish in the combination of chocolate syrup and milk created with the same care that goes into their coffee. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 7 Main St. (914) 332-1479, www.coffeelabs.com/.

White Plains: City Limits is known for its coveted Valrhona Hot Chocolate, a combination of heavy cream, milk, sugar, Valrhona chocolate, a cinnamon stick, and vanilla bean... just the thing to warm you up on a winter's day. Get Your Chocolate Fix: 200 Central Ave., (914) 686-9000, www.citylimitsdiner.com/.

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