Winter warmers taste just a little better when there's a splash of Baileys inside.
Hot chocolates are the ultimate winter drink. Sipping cocoa by an open fire features in almost every British winter movie scene for good reason.
In and around Leeds there are plenty of cafes, bars and restaurants ready to not only satisfy our hot chocolate needs, but take them to the next level with a boozy makeover.
Whether you like yours with Baileys, Amaretto or toasted marshmallows: here are the best boozy hot chocolates in and around the city centre.
Hidden along Roundhay Road, Grön Kafe is the clean-eating, no-nonsense cafe that knows how to spice up the menu. Alongside scandi-inspired dishes, taster platters and brunches with hidden hangover cures, features the only boozy hot chocolate you'll need this winter.
Infused with either Baileys, Whiskey or Raspberry Liquor, hot chocolates from Grön Kafe have the option of a boozy upgrade. If that doesn't take your fancy: white hot chocs, marshmallow melts and batch filter hot chocolates are all on the menu too.
Thor's Tipi
The Ferrero Frosty. / Image: Thor's Tipi
There's just something about a trip to a tipi and sitting by the log-burning fire that makes it feel like Christmas. Using their own 'special blend' imported from Germany, Thor's Tipi have some of the best hot chocolates around: and they're all topped with cream and marshmallows.
The ‘Ferrero Frosty’ is a true speciality, made up of salted caramel vodka, hazelnut liquor and chocolate milk but you can spice up your winter warmer with anything sweet, fruity or naughty- the list of added alcohol is endless. Think Karamel Vodka, Coconut Rum, classic Baileys, Cherry Liquor, MOOSE Alpine Spirit, Amaretto, Hazelnut Liqueur and more.
There's nothing better than taking a walk along Ilkley Moors and watching the sunset before and grabbing a hot drink before heading home where the PJs and central heating are calling- just make sure you take a detour to 39 The Grove. Specifically, to grab a Baileys hot chocolate.
Grab a seat under the tree and unwrap a few layers of hats and scarves before tasting the creamy, booze infused treat. Just make sure you visit Wednesday - Sunday as the cafe is closed every Monday and Tuesday.
The Christmas Markets may not be back this year, but the mini markets at Victoria Gate have given us a glimpse of a pre-Covid christmas in Leeds city centre. All the hot chocolates here comes from an everlasting tap of Nutella.
Add a warming shot of booze based on your preferences to make it go down a little sweeter and get a little gingerbread man, marshmallows, whipped cream and a little candy cane on top.
So technically this hot chocolate doesn't come with a shot of something alcoholic, but it's sweet enough to make it on to our list anyway. From the 'boujee hot chocolate' range comes three Instagram-friendly hot chocolates: Biscoff, Jaffa Orange and S'mores.
The S'mores hot chocolate has a full snack inside. Think belgian hot chocolate, topped with whipped cream, digestive biscuit, chocolate sauce and toasted marshmallows; this hot choc will have you transported to a campfire in no time.
Meadowhall has just welcomed a brand-new JD Sports Store - and it is absolutely mega.
Trainer and sportswear lovers, this one's for you as JD Sports has just opened the doors to its newest store.
Located in Meadowhall shopping centre on the Lower Level of the High Street, the new store is almost triple its previous size and spans a whopping 29,225 sq ft.
Shoppers can now browse an ever bigger selection of clothing, footwear and sportswear from big brands like Nike, Montirex, New Balance, Adidas and Berghaus just to name a few.
Image: The Sheff
To make your shopping experience even smoother, the new store features self-service tills so you can be in and out within a flash.
To celebrate the opening, Chunkz and Kenny from popular Youtube collective Beta Squad officially opened the store today and held a meet and greet for fans.
Image: The Sheff
And the celebrations don't stop there, as from Friday 31 July - Sunday 2 August customers can get involved in JD's Spin-to-Win, with the chance to win gift cards, trainers and JD-branded merchandise.
Not only that, but Montirex will be hosting games all-weekend-long.
And if you can't make it that weekend, then do not fear. As on Friday 7 - Sunday 9 August, The Crep Protect truck will be rolling into Meadowhall giving out free goodie bags for customers who sign up to JD Status and follow Crep Protect.
Image: The Sheff
Sneaker Throne will also be offering a shoe-cleaning experience, with demonstrations showing customers how to keep their trainers fresh using products available in-store and goodie bags will be on offer which will also include tokens to play the Cop & Flop game.
So, what are you waiting for? We'll see you there for a fresh new fit.
Shortlist for 2026 Mercury Prize announced with several northern names making the cut
Clementine Hall
The shortlist for the 2026 Mercury Prize has officially landed - and it's another huge year for music from the north.
The prestigious annual award, which celebrates the very best British and Irish albums released over the past 12 months, has unveiled its 12 nominated records ahead of this year's ceremony in Newcastle this October.
Among the biggest talking points is a first-ever Mercury Prize nomination for music legend and northern icon Sir Paul McCartney, whose latest album The Boys Of Dungeon Lane has earned him a place on the shortlist.
Elsewhere representing the north, Newcastle jazz collective Knats have been shortlisted for A Great Day In Newcastle while jungle pioneer Nia Archives, who comes from Bradford, is recognised for her acclaimed album Emotional Junglist.
Image: Audio North
Another artist flying the Newcastle flag is JADE with her debut solo album That's Showbiz Baby!, whilst other notable nominations include Olivia Dean, RAYE and and the charity compilation HELP(2) from War Child Records.
The full 2026 Mercury Prize shortlist is:
Paul McCartney – The Boys Of Dungeon Lane
Olivia Dean – The Art Of Loving
RAYE – This Music May Contain Hope
Dave – The Boy Who Played The Harp
Florence + The Machine – Everybody Scream
Dove Ellis – Blizzard
Knats – A Great Day In Newcastle
Kojey Radical – Don't Look Down
JADE – That's Showbiz Baby!
Nia Archives – Emotional Junglist
Suede – Antidepressants
War Child Records – HELP(2)
This year's Mercury Prize ceremony will return to Newcastle's Utilita Arena on Thursday 22 October after the city successfully hosted the awards for the first time last year.
The 2025 event saw hometown hero Sam Fender take home the coveted prize for People Watching, and who knows - maybe The Toon will bag another prize for a hometown hero.
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
