Tucson, AZHot Chocolate

Tucson Foodie's citywide hot cocoa guide calls the version at this Sunshine Mile coffee bar loaded, with whipped cream and chocolate syrup drizzled across the top, describing it as a work of art rather than a plain cup. Milk options run to whole, oat, almond, soy or half-and-half. The Arizona Daily Star separately covers this coffee bar's own opening. Order it exactly as built, with the full whipped cream and syrup drizzle the guide photographs.

Tucson Foodie's hot cocoa guide lists this downtown coffee bar's hot cocoa under its own menu name, a Steamer, with organic syrups available to add and a rotating set of milk alternatives including oat, soy and macadamia nut. It is one of the few cups on the guide's list with a customizable syrup add-in. Order the Steamer with an organic syrup mixed in, the customization the guide points to as this shop's own twist.

Tucson Foodie's hot cocoa guide singles out this Midtown French cafe's Mexican Chocolate Hot Chocolate, a warm vessel the guide says is packed with rich chocolate, spices, whipped cream and a cinnamon stick, available with whole, soy or oat milk. The Arizona Daily Star covers this cafe repeatedly for its French cooking. Order the Mexican Chocolate Hot Chocolate with the cinnamon stick left in, the detail the guide calls out.

Tucson Foodie's hot cocoa guide names this family-owned Campbell Avenue tamale shop for its Mexican hot chocolate made with oat milk, one of the few entries on the list built specifically as a dairy-free version rather than an add-on swap. The Arizona Daily Star separately covers the shop for its tamales. Order the Mexican hot chocolate with oat milk, the version the guide names, alongside a plate of the shop's own tamales.