Portland, MEHot Chocolate

The Press Herald's taste test gives this Old Port gelato shop's drinking chocolate a top rating, built from the shop's own chocolate gelato base rather than a powder or syrup, which the panel calls exceptionally rich. It comes with the option of peppermint, whipped cream, or a homemade star-shaped marshmallow on top. Order it with the marshmallow, the detail the panel singles out as the version worth getting.

Just across the street from its rival, this Old Port gelato shop earns the Press Herald's top rating for a classic hot chocolate made with Belgian chocolate and whole milk, the kind of cup the panel says you picture when you hear a winter carol. There is no flavor gimmick here, just a straightforward, well-made cup built on real chocolate rather than a mix. Order the classic version, since that is the one the panel rates highest.

The Press Herald credits this Portland roastery for the widest variety of hot chocolate flavors in its taste test, built on Ghirardelli chocolate across its cafes: classic, white, peppermint, salted caramel and a Mexican version. The flagship roastery and cafe on Diamond Street in East Bayside is the shop's current home base, roastery, cupping room and store combined. Order the Mexican version for the spice, or the classic if you want the plainer, more traditional cup.

Down East Magazine points to this Westbrook chocolate maker's drinking chocolate as richer and silkier than a standard cup, made by melting actual chocolate into warm milk rather than starting from powder. Five varieties rotate through the shop: classic dark chocolate, pumpkin spice, matcha white chocolate, chai and a spiced ancho chile version. Order the ancho chile for the heat, or the classic dark if you want the base recipe the other four build on.