9 spots for hot chocolate in Northern New England

Nothing combats the chill of New England winters like a cup of steaming hot cocoa. Are you a traditionalist who favors a sweet and creamy drink, or do you seek adventure with a hit of full-body-warming cayenne or a hint of strawberry? Either way, there’s no excuse to settle for a saccharine dry mix. Excite your taste buds and savor the real deal at these nine hot chocolate spots throughout Northern New England.

Nestled in bustling Bar Harbor, this is the go-to spot for breakfast, lunch, and hot drinks, including, of course, hot cocoa. The classic variety combines house-made chocolate syrup and steamed milk. For a twist, try one with white chocolate syrup. Mexican hot chocolate, with a blend of cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, is the most popular. Adding a bit of cayenne pepper makes a spicy version.

Info: Basic hot chocolate starts at $3.75.

It’s a dream come true: a restaurant featuring only desserts! This Portland dessert restaurant and bar’s hot chocolate offers a gentle taste of sinful deliciousness—or acts as the perfect accompaniment to a chocolate orgy. Creative adults-only options include a hot cocoa with peanut butter whiskey, foamed milk, and chocolate shavings.

Info: Closed Mondays–Wednesdays. Basic hot chocolate starts at $9.

Kittery has more than outlet shopping. This neighborhood café, named after a beloved longtime cashier at a local clam shack, serves a mouth-watering selection of pastries and sandwiches, fine coffee and tea, and creamy hot chocolate. The combination of house-made chocolate, vanilla syrup, and steamed milk will put a smile on your face after you’ve braved the shopping plaza crowds.

Info: Basic hot chocolate starts at $3.50.

After skiing the numerous Nordic trails that crisscross the resort town of Jackson, you’ll need sweet relief. Relax in the comfy shop, or in one of the Adirondack chairs outside if the weather permits, while sipping a hot chocolate.

The classic features chocolate, cocoa, vanilla, and steamed milk. The spicy Mexican, with its pinch of cayenne, will set your taste buds dancing and chase away any lingering chills. Other options include lively peppermint and sweet and savory salted caramel.

Save some room for the café’s delectable house-made pastries—you’ll burn off the calories back on the ski trails.

Info: Closed Mondays and Tuesdays. Basic hot chocolate starts at $4.75.

At this mecca for chocolate connoisseurs in Manchester, master chocolatier Richard Tango-Lowy combines chocolate, water, and a mix of spices. The resulting drinking chocolate comes in a bowl, following the traditional Olmec originators’ practice.

With just enough sweetener to take the edge off the chocolate’s inherent bitterness, as well as a tingle from the hot peppers that Tango-Lowy sources from Mexico and Central and South America, this drink will transport you as far as you can get from the mountains depicted on a package of Swiss Miss.

The café also offers a rich, European-style hot cocoa, which contains milk, and the Lion’s Waltz, made with white chocolate and maple syrup. You can also indulge in the variety of treats sold here, many made with chocolate sourced from indigenous growers in Central America and many featuring house-made extracts and preserved fruits.

Info: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Drinking chocolate, $6.75.

At this cute Exeter café, you can peruse artisan bean-to-bar chocolates and be serenaded by the espresso machine frothing milk for your hot cocoa. Chocolate maker Enna Grazier’s drinks and bars highlight various flavors found in ethically sourced beans from cacao-producing countries such as the Philippines, Haiti, and Tanzania.

Her signature hot cocoa uses Ecuadorian beans, which impart a caramel sweetness with a touch of tangerine. Make it special by adding a couple of house-made marshmallows.

Info: Closed Mondays. Basic hot chocolate starts at $6.

This charming village shop in Danville is known for its pork pies, hearty sandwiches, and seasonal pastries: carrot-shaped sugar cookies for Easter, a variety of pies for Thanksgiving, and miniature gingerbread-house kits for Christmas.

Their hot chocolate is the perfect complement to a cold day. Throughout the year, the café offers a changing menu of distinctive flavors, such as a Valentine’s Day special of white chocolate ganache, steamed milk, and a pump of strawberry syrup. It’s like a white-chocolate-covered strawberry in a glass.

Info: Closed Sundays and Mondays. Basic hot chocolate starts at $4.

Having one of those days where you want to sidle up to a bar and forget your troubles? Head to this chocolate shop’s flagship store in Burlington’s South End.

The recently renovated hot chocolate bar can satisfy your sweet tooth with traditional hot chocolate, a sophisticated dark chocolate option, or the spicy Aztec mix. Go vegan with a nondairy milk of your choice. Test your self-control: Can you get away without a bag of diet-busting confections?

Info: Basic hot chocolate starts at $4.75.

Jump off Interstate 89 at Middlesex to visit this bustling eatery for savory sandwiches, flaky pastries, and hearty loaves of fresh-baked breads. And what pairs perfectly with any of these selections? A cup of their hot chocolate, of course.

The hot chocolate makers start with house-crafted ganache—made with water, so dairy-free customers can also enjoy it—and add steamed milk (cow, oat, almond, or soy). For a burst of winter cheer, add a dollop of peppermint flavor.

Info: Basic hot chocolate starts at $4.

Pamela Hunt, a freelance writer in Burlington, Vermont, writes regularly for AAA publications.