The snow in Hanover is starting to melt, dripping past my dorm window and forming huge, sludgy puddles on the Green. The changing weather is getting my hopes up for spring — this past Friday I didn’t even have to wear a coat! So, I thought that it was prime time to search out the best mocha in town, before the drink is officially out of season.
Mocha is a quintessentially cozy drink, perhaps only beaten by hot chocolate. Growing up in South Carolina, winter never lasted long. On the few below-freezing days a year, I’d try to make the most of it by getting a mocha at a local coffee shop or by making one myself. This past fall term, I actually didn’t let myself order a mocha until it was wintry enough outside to preserve the snowy romance of it.
My favorite mocha I’ve ever had was at L.A. Burdick Handmade Chocolates in Boston. Served in a custom mug with a good handle, Burdick’s makes their mocha with chocolate shavings instead of cocoa powder or chocolate syrup. The mocha is incredibly thick and rich. It has a darker chocolate taste, not overly sweet, and the espresso adds a nice bite. At home, inspired by Burdick’s, I also make my mocha with a mix of milk and dark chocolate shavings.
My ideal mocha is thick, rich and chocolate-y, but not too sweet. The chocolate taste should be the most prevalent and the espresso should not be too bitter or overbearing. I also love a good, thick foam.
Dirt Cowboy: 8/10
There was a tasty and tall layer of foam on top of the Dirt Cowboy mocha. The chocolate was neither dark nor strong, with a fruity, nutty taste. The espresso taste was light. It was a sweet and thick drink, and I really enjoyed it, but I prefer a darker and stronger chocolate taste than in this drink. This drink was good, but not exceptional. Unfortunately, I was unable to grab a photo of this mocha, but it's still among my top contenders.
Lou’s Restaurant and Bakery: 4/10
The next day I went to Lou’s and sat in one of their comfortable booths. It was a Tuesday, so the only other people eating were a few retirees and a father and his two little kids. The mocha did not have much foam and the drink was not thick. The chocolate taste was not too strong, and it tasted more chocolate milk-y than hot chocolate-y. It was very sweet and a little fruity. The espresso taste was weak. Though it was tasty, it just didn’t really taste like a mocha.
My Brigadeiro: 9/10
I walked over to My Brigadeiro on a homework break and got my mocha to go. The service was lovely and quick, and the colorful interior — though not cozy — is quite cheerful. The drink itself had a delicious, tall layer of foam. The chocolate was the darkest out of the drinks I had and a little fruity. The espresso taste was mild but present, adding a nice nutty flavor and a bitter aftertaste. I really liked the mocha, but I think it could have had more chocolate.
Umpleby’s Bakery and Cafe: 6/10
The day after, I went to Umpleby’s and settled in for lunch and homework. The cafe is homey, with wooden floors, exposed beams and sunny windows. The ’90s indie-rock soundtrack and humming voices combined for a wonderful ambiance. However, the mocha was not very thick and had a thin layer of foam. It was not very sweet, but it was very chocolatey, rich and dark. However, the espresso taste was not pronounced at all. It tasted more like hot chocolate than a mocha.
The Works: 6/10
I went to The Works on a sunny Friday afternoon and sat at the counter in front of the big windows. The mocha had a fair, sweet layer of foam. Interestingly, the foam was far sweeter and had a stronger chocolate flavor than the drink itself. The drink had a dark chocolate taste and was not that sweet, which I liked. However, it was not rich or thick. The espresso had a nutty and dark taste. Overall, a solid mocha.
Still North: 1/10
Still North has a lovely store and location. The music is always good, and the bookstore environment is cozy. However, the mocha was not good. The layer of foam was thin. The drink itself was bitter and salty. Yes, salty. There was a distinct lack of a chocolate taste and no sweetness at all to add some flavor. It was watery and quite flavorless, without the typically strong, bitter taste of espresso. The strongest flavor I could taste was something like peanut.
Final Thoughts
These ratings are based on one trip and one mocha each, and I rated them based on my personal preferences for mochas. My favorite drink was My Brigadiero’s mocha, because I tend to prefer darker chocolate, although Dirt Cowboy’s was also fantastic, making it a close second. In terms of ambiance, Lou’s takes the top spot with Umpleby’s not far behind.
