Winter is finally here in a big way, which means there’s never been a better time to beat the cold by indulging in a hot drink. From specialty coffees to perk you up to teas and hot chocolate spiked with spirits to help you wind down, Stratford’s restaurants and coffee shops have a hot drink for every mood and occasion. Here are some of the best hot drinks to try around the city that are sure to warm you from the inside out.
Brch + Wyn
With its cheerful decor and tropical wall murals, a visit to Brch + Wyn feels like a mini-escape from Stratford’s icy winter temperatures. Coffee drinkers with a sweet tooth will appreciate the Sugar Shack Latte, which is blended with honey and maple syrup infused with lemon peel. There are always plenty of fresh pastries to savour alongside your coffee or stick around for lunch and try one of their warm toasties.
245 Downie St., brchandwyn.ca
Balzac's Coffee
After spending a year living in France, Balzac’s founder Diana Olsen was inspired to recreate Paris’ cafe culture back home in Canada. Balzac's now has 16 locations around southern Ontario but their Stratford outpost, which opened in 1996, is the original. One of their signature hot drinks this winter is the Oak Milk Cookie Latte, which sees oat milk mixed with a combo of cinnamon, caramel and Irish cream syrups and Balzac’s fairtrade espresso.
149 Ontario St., balzacs.com
Revel
Head to Revel for a classic cappuccino made with direct trade coffee from Nicaragua, which is roasted by Las Chicas del Cafe in St. Thomas. Pair it with one of Revel’s housemade pastries, which include rotating flavours of doughnuts and “cruffins” – croissant-muffin hybrids. Large windows overlooking Market Square make the cafe an inviting place to warm up while admiring Stratford’s winter scenery.
37 Market Pl., revelstratford.ca
The Livery Yard
The Livery Yard’s decadent take on a mocha has become a menu mainstay at the much-loved coffee shop. Rufino espresso is sweetened with steamed milk and Hollander chocolate, then crowned with a dusting of Callebaut cocoa powder, a Dutch-style cocoa powder known for its rich, chocolate flavour. The cute cafe frequently hosts live music, readings and other events that offer a fun way to break out of your routine and banish the winter blahs.
104 Downie St., @theliveryyard
The Starlight
Intimate snack bar the Starlight puts its own spin on a classic, cold-weather cocktail: the Hot Toddy. The Starlight Toddy features a base of chai tea and scotch, along with honey, ginger and lemon for a zesty and soothing finish. The bar’s low-lit and laid-back setting makes it an ideal spot for sipping this comforting cocktail while watching the snow fall over Market Square – perhaps while also nibbling on arancini or a chocolate brownie cookie.
64 Wellington St., thestarlightstratford.com
