Willy Wonka’s Wet Dream: Hot Chocolate

Sure, winter is all fun and games until January rolls around. Pop the bubbly on New Years and wake up the next day with a champagne headache and the realization that all the fun you were looking forward to is over. Are you sad yet? Don’t be, because there’s still some things that are better in winter than any other time. Like whiskey. Or wine. Or gin.

But when you’re at school or just don’t have space for a flask in your flannel, there is nothing quite like a cup of hot chocolate. Here’s the crème de la crème of the liquid good that’s never better than when it’s so cold you can’t feel your face.

1.     Petite Abeille, 401 West 14th Street: When you have a break between classes but don’t have time to really warm up with one of their many Belgian beers, go for a hot chocolate to go. It’s creamy, cocoa-y, and just enough sugar to keep you sweet during your 4 p.m. class. $3 for a medium.

2.     Balthazar Boulangerie, 80 Spring Street: Like much of SoHo, Balthazar the restaurant and its neighboring boulangerie are usually so packed full of people it’s easy to abandon any plans and run till you’re out of the masses. But at least in the boulangerie it’s easy to grab your chocolat chaud and go. And unlike other things at Balthazar, it’s actually a good deal. The hot chocolate has just the right consistency and sweetness, but won’t put you back like other “real” hot chocolates. $3.50 for a small.

3.     Vosges, 132 Spring Street: If you want to spend all your lunch money on a flute of gourmet drinking chocolate, go to Vosges. Everything in the store is purple, which made me feel like I was drowning in a bottle of Crown Royale. The Parisenne is made with dark chocolate and Madagascar vanilla bean — a little sweet and little spice makes it just right. To get the most bang for your buck, pocket as many sample truffles that are on display as possible. $5 for a flute.