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The dark winter nights are rolling in, and as the temperature drops, there’s no better way to warm yourself up than with a great big mug of hot chocolate.

Whether it’s topped with whipped cream and sprinkled chocolate or finished off with a handful of marshmallows, there’s no denying that a hot chocolate is the most indulgent of winter treats.

Here’s our pick of some of the beautifully delicious hot chocolates you can buy in Liverpool cafes, bars and coffee shops to warm your cockles this winter.

1. Gourmet Coffee, Exchange Flags

With its prime location in the heart of the city’s business district, Gourmet Coffee is ideal for a morning (or afternoon) pick-me-up.

But for when you want to indulge, you need to try their Premium Hot Chocolate menu.

Think of your favourite chocolate bar - Gourmet Coffee probably do a hot chocolate version of it. There’s Rolo, Nutella, Bounty, even After Eights.

2. Rococo, Lord Street

Tucked away above the retail units of Lord Street, Rococo is a little hideaway from the hustle and bustle of the shopping district.

After a long afternoon hitting the shops, what better way to relax than with a steaming hot chocolate that’s piled so high with hot chocolate and whipped cream that a saucer is needed just for the marshmallows.

3. Moose Coffee, Dale Street

We all know about Moose’s legendary breakfasts - and we’ve probably all seen the queues along Dale Street.

But what you may not know is that Moose also deliver a mean hot chocolate.

And if you haven’t got time to stop and savour it, you can take it away.

4. 92 Degrees Coffee, Hardman Street

92 Degrees is the first combined roastery and coffee shop in Liverpool - but that’s not what we’ve come for this time.

The hot chocolate comes topped with whipped cream and sprinkled cocoa, and if that’s not sweet enough, they’ve got plenty of home-baked cakes on offer too.

5. Leaf, Bold Street

Sure, Leaf may be better known for its tea, but if you fancy something a bit more, well, fancy - grab a hot chocolate.

With so many cafes, coffee shops and restaurants on Bold Street these days, you’re not going to struggle to find somewhere to suit your mood.

But if the mood you’re in is “Baileys hot chocolate with a crunchy biscotti”, get yourself to Leaf sharpish.

6. The Moon and Pea, Lark Lane

The Moon and Pea is a bistro and deli that is “unashamedly uncomplicated” in a world of “gastronomic pretence”.

But as you can see from this mountainous hot chocolate, uncomplicated doesn’t mean basic on Lark Lane.

7. The Quarter, Falkner Street

How can you look at this picture and not fall into hot chocolate lust?

The Quarter is an Italian-inspired restaurant, and while Italy might not make you think of hot chocolate, you’d be a fool not to head to the cobbles of the Georgian Quarter on your hot chocolate adventure.

Piled high with marshmallows and finished off with sprinkled cocoa, they then throw a Flake in there for good measure.

8. Hotel Chocolat, Liverpool ONE

In their own words, at Hotel Chocolat, it’s all about the cocoa.

The cafe on St Peter’s Lane is a chocoholic’s paradise, and their hot chocolate selection is, they say, “good for the soul”.

There are five delicious flavours of hot chocolate on offer, including salted caramel, hazelnut and chilli chocolate.