As Seattle embraces the holiday season and all of its traditions, there's no better time to enjoy a popular winter treat: a toasty mug of hot chocolate.
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From a mug of molten s'mores hot chocolate topped with toasted marshmallows, to luxurious European drinking chocolate, to a cup of cocoa accompanied by peppermint flavors, keep reading for 9 hot chocolate havens for all manner of holiday sipping when the gift wrapping gets tough.
Fran's Chocolates
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Fran's dark hot chocolate is anything but basic. The 8-ounce golden tin is full of bittersweet, 68% single-origin Dominican chocolate shavings. This vegan cocoa is also certified organic and fairtrade. Grab a tin for yourself or as a gift at any of Fran's retail locations in downtown Seattle, Georgetown, Bellevue or U Village. You can also find Fran's products at retailers like Whole Foods, PCC Markets, Metropolitan Market and Sur La Table.
Hot Cakes Molten Cakery
Want to really put the "hot" in hot chocolate? Hot Cakes offers a spicy hot chocolate to really turn up the heat. Or, to bring a little warmth and rosy hue to your cheeks, order a traditional hot cocoa with a shot of liquor stirred in. Stop by either Hot Cakes location in Ballard or Capitol Hill to grab a mug or a gift card as a great holiday present.
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Seattle Coffee Works
While the true Seattle Coffee Works location is currently closed, stop in to any of the chain's other locations: Capitol Coffee Works (on Capitol Hill), Ballard Coffee Works and Cascade Coffee Works (in South Lake Union).
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Chocolati
The name for Chocolati's shop comes from the Aztec and Mayan word "xocolatl" meaning "drink of the gods." Chocolati's dedication to creating drinking chocolate worthy of praise is evident in its selection from bulk blends to gift tins. Find flavors like bittersweet, cayenne and traditional.
Citizen Coffee
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Located in the shadow of the Space Needle, Citizen Coffee on Queen Anne offers a wide variety of breakfast foods, adult beverage and coffee drinks. Unique on this list is Citizen's Nutella coffee. Whether you're stopping in for a full meal or just in need of a break from the cold, Citizen is worth the stop.
Kakao
Nestled in South Lake Union, Kakao serves up a house-made hot chocolate, flavored with goods like salted caramel and dark, luxury chocolates. You can also nab straight-up sipping chocolate for a more intense experience. Still not enough chocolate? Kakao sells nibbles from local chocolatiers like Jcoco and Lillie Belle.
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Chocolat Vitale
Chocolat Vitale is known for its luxurious drinking chocolate. No powders here — it is just straight-up, pure chocolate. The classic European drinking chocolate is made from a combination of Belgian and Swiss dark chocolates. The other option, Venezuelan black drinking chocolate, is made from rich Venezuelan dark chocolate.
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indi chocolate
Ranked as one of the 24 best chocolate shops in America by Eater, indi chocolate offers two hot cocoa options: drinking chocolate and sipping chocolate. The drinking chocolate, described as "the best hot chocolate you've ever had," is made with Equarodian single-origin chocolate. The 4-ounce sipping chocolate is made from a thick and rich European chocolate and is topped with whipped cream and toasted marshmallow.
Theo Chocolate
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Theo Chocolate's organic drinking chocolate, which boasts a five-star rating on the company's website, is made from 55% dark chocolate. Select a one-time purchase option or sign up for a subscription to have refills delivered right to your door. This time of year, Theo also offers a peppermint drinking chocolate, perfect for Christmas morning.