Walking through the winter wonderland that is Hamilton, one is greeted with endless opportunities to spread holiday cheer. Trees are lit, the Village Green is decorated and perhaps most exciting, especially for foodies, are the seasonal changes to the menus at restaurants, cafes and even fast food spots in town. The unique items provide an opportunity to get a fresh spin on the already beloved regular options. Below is a guide to the hot spots in town: Flour & Salt, FoJo Beans, Maxwell’s Chocolates and Ice Cream, McDonald’s and Dunkin’.
Sugar, Spice and Everything Nice at Flour & Salt
Flour & Salt offers a wide variety of special treats – both drink and food items – that are comforting and provide that homey feeling that the holiday season evokes. Your choice between a peppermint mocha or hot chocolate and the hot or iced sugar cookie latte is stress-free; all are classics that you can never go wrong with. The ability to add the sugar cookie and peppermint syrups to any drink of your desire demonstrates that you truly can get that holiday feeling from any beverage of your choice. Then there is also the Egg White Christmas Sandwich, which includes egg whites, spiced steak, roasted red peppers, onion parsley salad, mayo and greens. This delicious combination of ingredients is sure to remind you of your family’s cooking as you patiently await your return home. Sophomore Marina Garcia has not shied away from elevating her usual order with some seasonal delights.
“I personally am a big fan of my matchas, so I was excited to be able to switch it up by adding sugar cookie syrup to it,” Garcia said.
FoJo is a Hit for Everyone
Everyone loves options, whether switching up your go-to regular order or branching out into something new. FoJo offers five Winter Elevated Specialty Drinks: Sugar Cookie Latte, Peppermint Mocha, Salted Caramel Latte, Snow Day Latte and Cozy Caramel Sipping Chocolate. Highly recommended include the Cozy Caramel Sipping Chocolate, which is a twist on FoJo’s classic sipping chocolate. For caffeine lovers, the latte and mocha options will satisfy your sweet tooth. Want a sweet and savory mix? The Salted Caramel Latte is a joy. Senior Desiree Rigaud has visited FoJo recently, taking advantage of these new sweet drinks.
“I have been loving the Sugar Cookie Latte and it has been my go-to since it came out,” Rigaud said.
Battle the Cold With More Cold at Maxwell’s
The clearest solution to dealing with the chilly weather is to embrace the cold and grab a frozen treat. Maxwell’s holiday feature comes in the form of a milkshake called the Candy Cane Crunch. It features vanilla ice cream, candy cane bits and vanilla syrup — a perfect way to add a holiday twist to a classic ice cream treat. The special also comes with the opportunity to make it a mocha shake, so don’t worry, chocolate lovers! They have created a true blend of the holiday spirit.
You’re a Mean One at McDonald’s
Who said Happy Meals are only for younger audiences? The latest McDonald’s launch of the Grinch Meal is a nostalgic and entertaining way to spend time and enjoy food with your friends. The enticing meal provides a spin on everyone’s favorite fries – you get the chance to shake up your fries with the McShaker to indulge in Dill Pickle “Grinch Salt” McShaker Fries. In addition to that, you get a pair of collectible socks in a mystery with messages from the Grinch in either blue, green, red or yellow. This adult Happy Meal is a chance to return to your childhood, so grab your friends and cherish the time before finals week and winter break — exactly what sophomore Margaret Gibbons did.
“It was exciting to be with my friends and unbox the socks together,” Gibbons said. “It was a cool spin to a Happy Meal, and the socks were actually really cute.”
Northeast Dunkin’ Classics
With Dunkin’, you can never go wrong. It is a classic chain that always provides both refreshments and desserts that are a quick bite, but always scrumptious. Dunkin’s winter menu consists of various holiday lattes like the Cookie Butter Cloud Latte and refreshers such as the Berry Sangria Refresher. Whether you want to be energized or rejuvenated, Dunkin’ has you covered both ways. Within the various dessert offerings, the Raspberry Stippled Croissant serves as a fruity and delicious pastry option for those who enjoy their baked goods with a fun twist! For those who prefer more of a chocolatey treat at Dunkin’, the Salted Dark Chocolate & Holiday Munchkins provide a fluffy, sweet bite for customers in a pinch.
Whether you want sweet or savory, hot or cold or even something in between, this holiday season in Hamilton presents you with five options to buy a classic holiday treat or expand your palate with something new.
