How to Create a Hot Chocolate Bar (with Recipe) (2024)

Create a hot chocolate bar that is sure to impress your guests during the holidays.

The best way to spread Christmas cheer is drinking hot cocoa at the end of the year!

The holiday season can get really crazy with all the parties that occur during the month of December. There are obligatory events you have to attend, parties to host, and family get togethers to organize. Wouldn't it be nice to have a simple refreshment that only requires minimal effort?

It's that time of year for hot chocolate season. A hot chocolate station is such a fun idea for holiday parties. And not just a Christmas party, but also for an office potluck, a church event or just to have your own hot cocoa bar on a cold winter day.

Fun Toppings You'll Need for a Hot Chocolate Bar

Hot chocolate toppings are really personal preference, but here is a large selection of favorite toppings you might like too.

• Peppermint or peppermint sticks
• Candy canes
• Hershey Kisses
• Cinnamon sticks
• Sprinkles
• Caramel sauce
• Mint drizzle
• Mini marshmallows
• Whipped cream
• Chocolate chips for additional chocolate
• Chocolate covered pretzels

If cocoa powder and hot water are your preference to make a cup of hot chocolate, go for it! If you want to switch things up, my hot chocolate recipe is listed at the bottom of this post. It's a favorite for convenience. Slow cooker, baby!

Cocoa Bar Decor Items

• Apothecary jars
• Mugs
• Mug rack
• Hot Cocoa sign
• Mini trees
• Felt garland
• Berry branches
• Mason jars or glass containers

Setting Up Your Hot Chocolate Bar

Decide Location

The first thing you want to do is decide where to set up. That may be your kitchen counter, a bar in your living room or your dining room table. Either way, you will want plenty of room for people to move around getting drinks.

Create a Centerpiece

You'll want some kind of focal point in the middle of your table. My hot chocolate bar sign was perfect for that. But you can also use a wreath, other hot chocolate signs or anything large and festive.

Looking for a Christmas sign? Here are a few Christmas sign ideas and some free printables here that you can print out and frame for your centerpiece.

Start at the Center and Work Outward

Place jars and glass containers of various heights on both sides of your main centerpiece. You might even want to use a tiered tray or cake stands for a little variety.

Pro Tip: You can grab clear containers of all different kinds and sizes at the dollar store for cheap!

Fill those various jars with all the different toppings. Adding a mix of sweet and salty is a great idea to appease all your guests.

This is a great activity for your family to help participate in. As long as they don't eat all the treats along the way!

Add Fillers to the Hot Chocolate Bar

Small filler items are the perfect addition to sprucing up your Christmas decor. Use fillers like greenery and small Christmas trees or Poinsettias. Christmas garland helps to tie in all of the colors and can be easily draped across the length of the display. You can evenmake a felt tip garland.

See Also

Hot Cocoa Mix Recipe and Mini Cocoa BarCrafty (and cheap) cake stands and a recipe for yummy Lemon Blossoms..60 of the Best Christmas Cookie Recipes - 5 Star Holiday Cookies that are Easy to Make.

Serving Your Drinks

Believe it or not, it's all about the presentation. Serving your hot cocoa in paper cups may be easily accessible and the best thing on hand. However, presenting your hot cocoa mix in holiday mugs is the perfect way to add a little festivity and holiday cheer.

It might even be a fun idea to provide guests with their own mug to take home.

Aren't these Christmas mugs adorable? Matching mugs are a fun display and a great decorative addition for a hot chocolate bar.

And an extra bonus from a hot chocolate bar party? Decor and sweet treats serving duel purposes!

Hot Cocoa Recipe

This is a great homemade hot chocolate that you can easily adapt to your own liking.

Change up the chocolate chips for a chocolate bar or even mix it up with flavored chocolate chips. Use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream. Switch over to whole milk for a more creamy base. You can even add a little creamer or a drink syrup for extra flavoring.

The options are endless for this tasty treat!

Now that all of your hot chocolate bar prep work is done, you can relax! Go sit and cozy up by the fire with a warm mug of hot cocoa and a Hallmark Christmas movie or a good book.

Looking for more classy Christmas tablescapes to celebrate this year? Take a look at these 10 Christmas themed tables that are both elegant and budget friendly! You can also get ideas from one of my previous Christmas tablescapes on a budget.

Happy Entertaining!

Brooke