Phoenix, AZ
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Two drinking-chocolate programs Phoenix New Times names directly: Tandy's Mayan Heat and European Dark Drinking Chocolate in Midtown, and Aruma Cafe's Mexican hot chocolate in Tempe.
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Press picks, until locals rank their own Top 5s. Sourced from the local food press. As seen in Phoenix New Times. Updated September 2026.
Tandy's · Midtown
Phoenix New Times reviews this new all-day eatery from chef Tandy Peterson, whose in-house chocolate business Embers Chocolate runs alongside the dining room, and singles out two drinking chocolates to close a meal: the traditional Mayan Heat, made with hot water and a dash of chiles and warming spices in a small earthenware mug, and a creamy European Dark Drinking Chocolate. The review calls the Mayan Heat lighter-bodied, more like a boldly brewed tea than a dessert. Order the Mayan Heat for the chile kick, or the European Dark for a richer, more traditional cup.
Aruma Cafe · Tempe
Phoenix New Times names this Tempe cafe's Mexican hot chocolate alongside its horchata and aguas frescas, part of a menu the guide credits for standing out with an earthy matcha and a nutty mazapan latte on the espresso side. The cafe keeps a full breakfast menu by day and turns into a wine and amari bar with shareable charcuterie and ceviche Thursday through Saturday nights. Order the Mexican hot chocolate alongside a breakfast bite, the pairing the guide frames as the shop's daytime strength.