Pro Tip: Grab a couple cups of hot cocoa from one of the following local coffee shops, and take a self-guided tour of Long Island’s best Christmas light displays.
This year we saw a significant shift in our morning routines, with my daughter starting middle school. Now our days start much earlier than they previously had. I thought we were handling the change with ease up until the cold, dark winter rolled in. After that, rising before dawn suddenly became quite difficult.
I find myself feeling a bit of guilt as I tip-toe down the hallway to coax my daughter from her toasty warm bed. Waking my soundly sleeping child to drag her into the frigid morning, hardly makes me feel like mother of the year. I know I don’t have a choice—the older they get, the earlier their days have to start.
One particularly chilly morning, my daughter sat at the table bundled in her fluffy bathrobe, watching me brew coffee. As the comforting smell drifted through the kitchen, she told me how much she wished there was such a thing as “coffee for kids” to warm her up before school.
Knowing that coffee wouldn’t make an 11-year-old very happy, I thought of something warm and sweet that always brought a smile to my face when I was her age—hot cocoa. I quickly warmed a little milk on the stovetop and whisked in cocoa powder with a bit of sugar. As I handed her the mug of “coffee for kids” her eyes lit up. She cradled the cup of steaming cocoa in her hands with a content smile on her face, ready to start her day.
If you are looking for something warm and sweet to get you and your family through the cold this winter, check out these local coffee shops for a cup of hot cocoa.
The Babylon Bean has always been one of my favorite places to stop in for a quick bite to eat and grab a Café Au Lait. Now that I have children, I love popping in for hot chocolate after going for a stroll through Babylon Village.
The Babylon Bean, 17 Fire Island Ave, Babylon (631) 587-7729, open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 4:45 AM – 9:00 PM, Wednesday 4:45 AM – 10:30 PM, Friday & Saturday 4:45 AM – 10:30 PM, Sunday 4:45 AM – 8:00 PM.
As a longtime fan of The Babylon Bean, I was thrilled when their sister shop, The Bay Shore Bean opened in my hometown. Now I can bundle my kids and dog up for an afternoon walk into town. The atmosphere is warm and cozy with live music on the weekends. Plenty of spots to sit and thaw out with a little coffee and hot cocoa.
The Bay Shore Bean, 47 East Main Street, Bay Shore (631) 647-7971, open Monday – Thursday 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM, Friday & Saturday 6:00 AM – 12:00 AM, Sunday 6:00 AM – 8:30 PM
This is a fun and funky little coffee shop located in the heart of Northport Village. Make sure you order plenty of their famous freshly baked pastries for your family to enjoy with their signature hot chocolate. Don’t fret if hot chocolate isn’t quite your thing, stop by the espresso bar instead!
Caffé Portofino, 249 Main Street, Northport (631)262-7656, open every day 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM.
I can think of no better place to stop in for a spot of hot cocoa than this decadent little dessert shop. With a menu with lovely desserts like French macarons, artisanal gelato, and Swiss meringue buttercream cupcakes, I guarantee everything will pair perfectly with a steaming cup of hot cocoa.
Kiss My Cake, 387 New York Ave, Huntington (631) 923-3303, open Monday – Thursday 8:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Friday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Saturday 9:30 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday 12:00 – 5:00 PM.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BcVFzO4nl5k/?taken-by=soulbrew_stjames
If your family likes their hot chocolate with a twist, make sure you visit Soul Brew. This cozy specialty coffee shop & eatery offers a great selection of hot cocoas to suit your taste. Trust me, you will have a tough time choosing between the peanut butter hot chocolate and the caramel hot chocolate!
Soul Brew, 556 Route 25a, St James (631) 250-9238, open Monday & Tuesday 7:00 Am – 7:00 PM, Wednesday 7:00 AM – 9:00 PM, Thursday-Saturday 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM, Sunday 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Locals rave about this independent certified organic roasting company and café. Take a break from your holiday activities and dash in with the kids for a sweet hot chocolate. If you are in the mood for something caffeinated you can order from their gourmet selection of coffee and teas.
Tend Coffee, 924 Montauk Highway, Shirley (631) 772-4707, open Monday – Saturday 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM, Sunday 7:00 AM – 7:00 PM.
