I have a tough job: pursuing some of the best culinary creations that Stonington has to offer.  As painful as tasting delicious treats sounds, I was up for the task. 

As the days grew shorter and the mornings began with chiseling ice off the car windshield, I knew just what to sample.  Nothing says wintertime like a warm cup of hot chocolate.  As the snow readied for a good first dusting, I got my taste buds excited for a blitz of hot chocolate tastings.

Now the hard part began.  First on the yellow brick road toward holiday cheer was Bartleby's Café in downtown Mystic.  The hot cocoa comes in small ($1.75), medium ($2.00), and large ($2.25).  I went with the medium, telling the cashier I was getting it "for here."  Asked if I wanted whipped cream, I thought is there any other way?  A few minutes after placing my order, I got a piece of culinary artwork in the order of a Van Gogh masterpiece.  In a Bartleby's mug, the hot cocoa was topped with whipped cream, cinnamon, and a drizzle of chocolate.  It was very hot, so after letting it cool, I took a sip, and then another.  The flavor was rich, with a strong taste of cinnamon.  As I drank more, a subtle flavor of cinnamon remained.  This is not your traditional hot chocolate from the store-bought package.  If you like cinnamon, and want to treat your eyes and taste buds to a different spin on hot cocoa, look no further.

Next up, I went across the street to The Green Marble Coffee House.  The hot cocoa comes in 12 oz. ($2.25) and 16 oz. ($2.75).  My 12 oz. hot cocoa was the perfect temperature when I got it, very drinkable without burning my mouth.  I was not asked about whipped cream, so be sure to ask if you want some.  Opening the lid on my to-go cup revealed an inch or so of froth on the top, which I made sure to stir in before taking the first sip.  The taste was a deep flavor of dark, bittersweet chocolate.  A refreshing variation on traditional hot chocolate flavors, this cup accentuated the sumptuous and raw bitter chocolate taste. 

Over to Stonington Borough to sample some more holiday cheer, I started with the Theresa's Culinary Creations.  The hot cocoa here comes in one size ($1.50), with the option for hot cocoa with milk ($2.00).  Flavors included the more traditional milk chocolate, in addition to raspberry, mint, and dark chocolate.  I went with milk chocolate, but splurged for the milk version.  My hot cocoa did not come with whipped cream, and I was not asked if I wanted any.  But the lack of toppings did not stop my enjoyment, as the taste was like drinking a milk chocolate bar.  Delicious and smooth, without being overly sweet, the chocolate was well mixed for each sip to be as good as the last. 

I walked down Water Street to The Yellow House Coffee & Tea Room, where the hot chocolate comes in small ($2.50), medium ($2.75), and large ($2.95).  Feeling whipped cream deprived, when asked, I happily said yes, and was even more excited it was thick and creamy.  The hot chocolate, made with Ghirardelli, had a very drinkable quality without being too rich.  It seemed to embody that traditional hot chocolate served in front of a fireplace as the sound of a snowball fight echoes through the windows.  However, make sure to mix this cup before drinking, so you are not left with a last gulp of (admittedly delicious) pure chocolate syrup.  For that traditional, homemade feeling, Yellow House is the place to go.

No comparison would be complete if I excluded the chain stores around town.  First was a trip over to Starbucks Coffee near the Mystic Aquarium.  Hot chocolate comes in tall ($2.55), grande ($2.95), and venti ($3.15).  For the adventurous, current seasonal flavors include salted carmel hot chocolate and peppermint hot chocolate (for both specialty flavors, the prices are $2.95, $3.35, and $3.55).  I got a grande hot chocolate, and was not asked if I wanted whipped cream. Unlike the other places, this one came fully loaded with whipped cream, so make sure to tell the barista if you don't prefer any.  My cup of hot chocolate was not very hot or very chocolaty.  It tasted diluted, but on the up side, was also not very sweet.

A trip into Pawcatuck seemed fitting, so I tried out the Dunkin' Donuts while I was there.  The hot chocolate comes in small ($1.70), medium ($1.99), large ($2.29), and extra large ($2.49) for the very thirsty (or daring).  I was glad I got the whipped cream when I was asked, because the cup was filled right to the top.  After letting it cool, and stirring in the whipped cream, I took a sip.  There were hints of a traditional hot chocolate trying to escape, but those flavors were surprised by an overwhelming creamy taste that lingered on my tongue.  The overall sweetness was well balanced, and drinkable without giving a sugar-induced headache.  So if you enjoy a hot chocolate on the creamy side, this one might be for you.

The final stop on my journey was back to downtown Mystic to Lis Bake Shop.  Hot chocolate comes in 12 oz. ($2.50) and 20 oz. ($3.50).  I was asked if I wanted whipped cream, but there was not as much of it as there could have been.  But like an iceberg, this hot chocolate was about what was beneath the surface.  The overall taste was rich and very chocolaty, which added a sweetness that was subtle, yet noticeable.  If you like a deep chocolate flavor on the sweeter side, take a cup of this over to a snowball fight and you'll be the winner.

Verdict: Bartleby's edged out Theresa's to win the Stonington Culinary Creations: Hot Chocolate.