Winter might finally have arrived in Denver, so make sure you spend that chilly day keeping warm by the fire. Coffee is awesome, but don’t forget about hot chocolate. Skip the Swiss Miss and score the real deal at one of these awesome restaurants, dessert shops or cafés that serve gourmet hot chocolate or boozy chocolate drinks that will satisfy your sweet tooth and melt your wintered heart.

Lucile’s Creole Café

Homemade Hot Chocolate at Lucile’s Creole Cafe. Photo by Marissa Kozma.

Where: 275 South Logan St., Denver
Order: homemade hot chocolate or Raspberry Kiss
Cost: $3.80, $8.59
The Lowdown: This breakfast and brunch place serves authentic Cajun and Creole food, but did you know they also make their own hot chocolate? With real Belgian chocolate, the homemade hot chocolate at Lucile’s is light with steamed milk and whipped cream, with notes of cinnamon and other spices that remain a secret. There is a kid’s version too that’s smaller with a slightly cooler temperature. If you’re looking for more of a pick-me-up, the Raspberry Kiss at Lucile’s features the famous hot chocolate with Bailey’s and raspberry reduction, and it’s mouthwatering bliss.

Chocolate Lab

White, Milk and Dark Chocolate Elixir at the Chocolate Lab. Photo by Marissa Kozma.

Where: 2504 E. Colfax Ave., Denver
Order: white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate Elixir
Cost: $4.95
The Lowdown: If you’ve ever passed this restaurant on East Colfax and wondered what it was, now’s the time to stop inside the Chocolate Lab. Nearly everything on the menu — from pulled pork to ravioli — actually contains chocolate, so it’s no surprise the hot chocolate is extra amazing. The Chocolate Lab originally started as a chocolate shop, and if you order the white chocolate, milk chocolate or dark chocolate Elixir, you’ll get to taste the restaurant’s signature chocolate that melts into the steamed milk and is topped with light whipped cream and chocolate shavings. Chocolate lovers rejoice — you have found your new favorite drink.

D Bar Denver

D Bar Denver Hot Chocolate. Photo by Emma Pion-Berlin.

Where: 494 E. 19th Ave., Denver
Order: hot chocolate or S’more Please Dessertini
Cost: $5, $11
The Lowdown: If you want dessert in the Mile High City, D Bar Denver is your best bet. With sweet pastries, cakes and cocktails on the menu, this upscale shop downtown is one of our favorite places for happy hour and indulging in dessert. The hot chocolate at D Bar features a toasted marshmallow on top with vanilla Chantilly and chocolate crunchy pearls on the side. Smooth and simple, the hot chocolate is neat with a designer touch you’ll only find at D Bar. If you’re looking for a boozy spin on the traditional drink, the S’more Please Dessertini is one of a kind. With vanilla vodka, Godiva chocolate liqueur, Drambuie, toasted marshmallow on top and a graham cracker crusted rim, this dessert cocktail features the same sweetness of your favorite camping snack without the gooey mess.

Snooze an A.M. Eatery

Snooze Hot Chocolate. Photo by Becka Tiffanie.

Where: 700 North Colorado Blvd., Suite A, Denver (other locations available)
Order: hot chocolate
Cost: $4
The Lowdown: As one of Colorado’s favorite brunch restaurants, it’s no surprise that Snooze makes a mean hot chocolate. With milk from a local dairy in Bellvue, Colorado, Snooze emphasizes farm-to-table freshness with its hot chocolate that’s topped with cinnamon, homemade whipped cream and chocolate sauce. If you’re not too full from pancakes, this drink will definitely hit the spot.

The Chocolate Therapist

Mexican Spice, Truffle and Extraordinary Sipping Hot Cocoas. Photo courtesy of The Chocolate Therapist.

Where: 2560 West Main St., Littleton
Order: Mexican Spice, Truffle or Extraordinary Sipping Hot Cocoa
Cost: 8 oz. $2.35, 12 oz. $2.95, 16 oz. $3.25, 20 oz. $3.75
The Lowdown: Chocolate is the best therapy, and this coffee and chocolate shop in Littleton wants you to feel better after a long day. Three hot cocoa flavors will fill your soul at The Chocolate Therapist, and you can even buy a pack if you want to mix it at home. The Mexican Spice hot cocoa features notes of cinnamon, vanilla and almond. The Truffle features milk chocolate and offers a classic hot chocolate taste, and the Extraordinary Sipping is made with rich dark chocolate for a decadent taste. No matter what flavor you choose to try, you’ll definitely be returning.

Unless noted, all photography by Emma Pion-Berlin.