5 Warming Hot Drinks You Need to Try in LondonBy Angelica Malin
When it’s cold in London, all you want to do is dive into a warming hug in a mug. Forget your normal Builder’s Brew (although not forever, you simply can’t beat a classic English Breakfast tea sometimes), here’s 5 weird and wonderful hot drinks in London you need to try:
What: Fuerza – quinoa, apple, cinnamon, milk, maca (£4)
Why: This drink is unusual, but utterly delicious. Quinoa, a Peruvian staple, makes it like a dessert in a glass and with apple and cinnamon, it’s like the best bits of an apple pie in a tasty treat. If you want something dairy-free, try their Hot Emoliente (above) with barley, linseed, alfalfa and quince, which is full of nature’s goodness. These Peruvian hot drinks are really healthy too, win win!
Where: 1 Redchurch Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DJ
Photo Credit: Andina – Paul Winch-Furness
2. The Matcha Magic: The Good Life Eatery
What: Matcha Latte with almond milk (£3.90)
Why: Creamy indulgence without the calories? Hello. The Good Life Eatery’s matcha latte (that’s a green tea caffeine-free latte if you don’t know) is made with frothed almond milk, which makes it super indulgent and guilt-free. They also serve gluten-free, vegan cake which happens to be quite the delight. Come here for a healthy rainy day tipple and amuse yourself watching the trendy crowd.
Where: 59 Sloane Ave, London, SW3 3DH
3. The Ultimate Hot Chocolate: Choccywoccydoodah
What: Hot chocolate with dark, milk or white chocolate, with whipped cream, marshmallows and chocolate curl (£3.50)
Why: This place is a total dream. Tacky, decadent, brilliant, they make amazing one-of-a-kind custom cakes and outrageous scrummy chocolates which are (almost) too pretty to eat. At the shop just off Carnaby Street, you can find fantastic chocolate, gifts, and upstairs in their cafe they serve incredible, decadent hot chocolate and great homemade cakes. This is like a childhood dream come true – let your inner six-year old run free.
Where: 30-32 Foubert’s Place, London W1F 7PS
4. The Baileys Beauty: Primrose Eatery
What: Baileys Latte (£4.95)
Why: Any hot drink that comes with an age limit is doing something right in my books. We love this little eatery near Primrose Hill – great for weekend brunches and delicious savoury (try the smoked salmon & cream cheese one), it’s location is perfect for a hearty breakfast before a weekend stroll. If you like your coffee with a kick, this Baileys Latte is everything you could want and need.
Where: 38 Primrose Hill Road, Hampstead, NW3 3AD
5. The Spiced Chocolate Heaven: Rabot 1745
What: Barista Cocoa – frothed cocoa milk (either dark, milk or spiced) with nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger (£3.50)
Why: If you haven’t been to Rabot 1745, you simply have to. It’s Hotel Chocolat’s only restaurant in London, and all the food here has a chocolate twist – from white chocolate mash to chocolate-sauce covered steak dishes. If you like hot chocolate, their selection is simply fantastic – from the classic hot chocolates in a variety of flavours, from salted caramel to hazelnut, rum to gingerbread, to the more fancy frothed milk cacao drink. If you need a little tipple in your chocolate, try the Rum Chocolate (pictured above) with a shot of Saint Lucian rum. Dreamy.
Where: 2-4 Bedale Street, Borough Market, London
