DIY hot cocoa bar (and shopping list)

I think that every winter party might just need a hot cocoa bar. Warm, cozy and delicious- I can’t think of a time that a buffet of hot chocolate wouldn’t be a party favorite. The hot cocoa bar at the Chocolate Shower was definitely a highlight (and I will be adding this little feature to more future parties)!

It is definitely not rocket science to put a hot cocoa bar together- but in case you love lists like I do (and to answer some questions we’ve received via email/comments), I thought I’d share a little how to all-in-one-place.

WHAT YOU NEED

Supplies- Cocoa jar, jars for the toppings (we used handleless mugs), backdrop/Christmas lights (we also had some battery operated strings of lights woven in between the platters/stands), platters, cakestands, spigoted bottles (for the flavored syrups, signs or labels, hot/cold cups (or cocoa mugs).

Food– Cocoa mix, caramels, crushed peppermints, chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, mint chocolate chips (other varieties would work great too!), marshmallows and flavored marshmallows (we had cinnamon marshmallows and peppermint marshmallows), and flavored syrups (we had coconut syrup, cinnamon syrup, caramel syrup, hazelnut syrup, peppermint syrup).

Logistics– After setting out all of your cocoa, mix-ins, signs and decor (and about 20 minutes before your guests arrive), start heating up the water. We had a little fleet of vacuum flasks on hand (we had a couple and borrowed the rest from friends) that we filled with really hot/boiling water (it was boiling when we put it in the flasks, but just really hot by the time people were making cocoa). By the time guests arrived, the fleet was at the ready, all full of hot water and ready to make cocoa (and we never had to refill during the party)!

Seriously, try a Hot Cocoa Bar at your next party, friends! You (and your guests) will love it!