Boston’s best hot chocolate for your cold, cold heart

Cuddling up with a mug of creamy, steamy hot chocolate not only makes a bitter Boston winter bearable, but actually something to savor. Whether it’s a quick warm-up or an afternoon of idling, here are several delicious hot chocolate options.

If you’re caught in FiDi’s wind tunnels, duck into Ogawa Coffee, the Japanese coffee shop where beverage making really is a prize-winning art. Located on Milk Street, Ogawa Coffee’s hot chocolate is made with whole milk, heavy cream and melted Carupano dark chocolate,topped with whipped cream and cacao powder. It’s very rich and not overly sweet with a nice subtle bitter bite, and flavor to savor. ($5.50. 10 Milk Street, Boston. ogawacoffeeusa.com)

Over on Boylston Street, Pastry Chef Robert Gonzalez has completely revamped Bistro du Midi‘s pastry program, including adding his version of hot chocolate. Gonzalez’s uses whole milk, heavy cream and Valrhona chocolate, accompanied by a hand-toasted marshmallow. Oh, and that delicious the view over the park is an added treat. ($4. 272 Boylston St., Boston. 617-426-7878. bistrodumidi.com.)

In Kendall Square, Ames Street Deli’s hot cocoa goes locavore with Somerville’s Taza chocolate and a house-made ginger and cinnamon syrup. Though Taza packs a punch of bitter cacao flavor, this delicious drink uses the stone ground 60% cocoa solid version for a smooth finish. ($3.75. 73 Ames St., Cambridge. amesstreetdeli.com.)

Over on Huntington Avenue, Brasserie Jo’s “double hot chocolate” has become a signature winter indulgence since the French style brasserie opened in 1999. It is made in a la Parisienne – thick, rich, and creamy, and with oodles of Belgian chocolate. This street-side Back Bay staple, located in the Colonnade Hotel, finishes its hot chocolate with whipped cream accompanied by delicate, crisp butter cookies. $8.120 Huntington Ave, Boston. colonnadehotel.com)

Adults-only: Head to Davio’s on Arlingto n Street for their “Boozy Hot Chocolate,” a suave snifter that’s the tastiest after-dinner drink. Davio’s recipe combines chocolate, tamarind, cinnamon, clove, star anise, smoked paprika, turmeric and mezcal into a smooth creamy drink. It is served warm, not hot, in a cognac glass. It’s a spicy, not-too-sweet mixture that’s guaranteed to warm the cockles, and then some. ($15.75 Arlington St., Boston. davios.com.)

Met Back Bay’s annual Boston Hot Chocolate Experience includes a flight of four mini hot chocolates: classic, made with Taza vanilla chocolate, whipped cream, and toasted marshmallows; Mexican with Taza cinnamon chocolate, whipped cream, and a cinnamon stick; salted almond, featuring Taza salted almond chocolate, topped with whipped cream and an almond biscotti; and peppermint: Taza cacao puro, peppermint, whipped cream and a candy cane. Taste them or upgrade to the “One Big One” in your favorite flavor. (Flight: $14/One Big One: $10. 279 Dartmouth Street, Boston. metbackbay.com.)