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.
The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is set to go on display across Wakefield this summer.
The quilt - consisting of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels, representing over 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS - will go on display at WX Wakefield from Thursday 4 to Sunday 7 June 2026.
All 42 quilts will be on display, with WX working in partnership with the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership.
Across the same weekend, selected individual panels will be displayed at different venues across the city including The Hepworth Wakefield, The Art House Wakefield, Theatre Royal Wakefield, Pontefract Castle and the Yorkshire Sculpture Park.
Part of the world’s largest community art project, this is a huge opportunity for the city of Wakefield. The project started in the USA back in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, commemorating friends, family and loved ones lost to AIDS.
Individual panels were then stitched together to create larger quilts, which were shown outdoors as a form of protest to raise awareness about HIV and AIDS.
Today, the quilt stands as a crucial reminder of those who were lost and of the continuing affect that HIV and AIDS has on the people of today.
At WX Wakefield, viewing the quilt is completely free and on Friday 5 June there will be a special late night opening up until 10:30pm to view the exhibition.
And on Saturday 6 June at 2:30pm, there will be a very special and poignant reading of the names of those commemorated on the quilt.
Featured image - UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, installation view at Tate Modern, June 2025. Photo: AM Hanson
News
Leeds’ first frozen yoghurt bar is opening in Headingley this weekend
Clementine Hall
The frozen yoghurt craze is on its way to Leeds as Kefiyo is set to open in Headingley in just a few days.
It's a phenomenon that has caught the attention of the TikTok and Instagram girlies as of late, with frozen yoghurt bars popping up in Manchester and going viral online.
The ice cold sweet treat is supposedly 'healthy' and with a slogan of 'eat Clean. feel Light. live Better.' - this new spot in Leeds seems to be going down that route too.
Kefiyo will be opening in the old Sixes site on Ash Road in Headingley, and they've just announced that they'll be soft launching this Sunday 19 April 2026.
The space is already sporting a super cute pastel green and pink exterior, and it's exactly matching the aesthetic that you'd expect with froyo.
Kefiyo will offer a range of frozen yoghurt flavours with a whole bunch of toppings for you to customise to your tastebuds, as well as fresh acai bowls.
Situated slap bang in the centre of Headingley, we've got a feeling it'll be very busy with students on their way to their morning lecture or at night for those looking for a sweet treat that doesn't feel too naughty.
We'll keep you updated on more Kefiyo updates as and when we find out.
But in the meantime, you can keep an eye on their socials here. We'll see you soon for a scoop Leeds.
Sophie Smith -
10th December 2021 
