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When the the icy winds of winter begin to whip, it’s only natural for thoughts to turn to warm and creamy hot chocolate. And here on the North Shore, we are spoiled with many luscious choices for enjoying our favorite winter beverages.

Here are eight of our favorites:

A&J King, Salem

This beloved Salem bakery proves its tasty attention to quality extends beyond bread and pastry to the fine art of hot chocolate. Homemade ganache (made with Richardson’s half-and-half and Callebaut chocolate) is whisked into steamed milk (dairy or alternative) for an indulgent, warm treat that can satisfy any chocolate craving without being overwhelmingly rich. Flavor shots like almond, cinnamon, or vanilla let you personalize your beverage for maximum deliciousness.

48 Central St., Salem, 978-744-4881, ajkingbakery.com

Honeycomb, Hamilton

The Hamilton bakery that made waves when it opened makes their own chocolate sauce in house with a combination of Callebaut dark chocolate and Cacao Barry cocoa powder. If you’re craving more sweetness, accompany your drink with one of the bakery’s outstanding cookies, croissants, or other treats.

248 Bay Rd., Hamilton, 978-626-0014, honeycombhamilton.com

Market Square Bakehouse | Photograph by Elise Sinagra

Market Square Bakehouse, Amesbury

Market Square Bakehouse makes its own powder in-house, blending sugar with unsweetened Dutch process cocoa powder. The mix then added to fresh steamed milk (dairy, almond, soy, or oat) to-order, along with a splash of vanilla syrup, and topped, if desired, with whipped cream. The bakehouse aims to make its hot chocolate less sweet than some other versions to let the chocolate flavor really shine.

5 Market Sq., Amesbury, 978-792-5237, marketsquarebakehouse.com

Zumi’s, Ipswich

Ipswich’s sustainable coffeehouse offers much more than just fair trade and organic coffee (though they do carry over 40 blends of that). Their Ghiradelli hot cocoa is highly customizable—throw in a shot of espresso, combine white and dark chocolates for a tuxedo hot chocolate, or add a flavor shot like raspberry or peppermint.

40 Market St., Ipswich, 978-356-1988, zumis.com

Photo courtesy of Kakawa Chocolate House

Kakawa Chocolate House, Salem

This Salem coffee shop makes a version of our favorite winter beverage so beyond the ordinary that it has a whole new name: drinking chocolate elixirs. The intense, rich cups are made from tiny bits of chocolate flavored with carefully crafted combinations of vanilla, spices, nuts, and even fruits. Can’t choose? Try a tasting flight to sample several options.

173 Essex Street, Salem, 617-548-4567, kakawachocolates.com

Photograph courtesy of Ovedia

Ovedia, Amesbury

Ovedia is both a chocolate shop and a coffee shop, so it makes sense that they would excel at chocolatey hot beverages. The signature hot chocolate is a family recipe, handed down from the grandmother of the original owners. In the winter, specialty hot chocolates join the menu: Try the Turtle, a white chocolate version topped with crushed nuts and housemade caramel and chocolate sauces, or the S’mores, topped with crushed graham crackers and housemade marshmallows.

36 Main St., Amesbury, 978-388-7700, ovedia.com

Putnam Pantry, Danvers

Putnam Pantry may be known for its ice cream, but their hot chocolate proves the shop can do more than just cold treats. Hot chocolate powder is made from scratch in house, and mixed with warm milk for a creamy, chocolatey beverage. And if the drink isn’t enough to satisfy your sweet tooth, you can browse the selection of housemade candies while you sip.

255 Newbury St., Danvers, 978-774-2383, putnampantry.com

Photograph courtesy of M. Cacao

M. Cacao, Amesbury

M. Cacao offers a slate of eight Molten Drinking Chocolates from a rich classic chocolate and dark chocolate peppermint to French Spice Au Miel, enhanced with French spices and honey, and even Cuba Libre, evoking the flavors of the classic cocktail by blending cane sugar and rum together with a heady mixture of orange, lime, and lemon zests to capture the notes of cola, spirits, and citrus. Crafted with the same thoughtful attention to detail as their chocolates, these thick, rich offerings are sure to please sophisticated palates.

6 Chestnut Street, Suite 211, Amesbury, 617-334-5777, mcacao.com