When outside is cold, nothing can save your mood better than a cup of hot cocoa. If you are going to share this cup with everyone you love, read on to discover how you can set up a nice hot cocoa bar, which will take your cocoa-tasting evening to the next level.
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Keep it Hot Since hot cocoa is a staple, a lukewarm beverage can spoil everything. But don’t panic, there are at least two ways to keep it hot throughout the evening. If you are going to invite a large crowd, you can’t do without a crock pot – simply pour your cocoa inside and leave it there on warm for a couple of hours (you can also turn on high I case you are in a hurry). For a small number of guests coming, an insulated thermos is a safe bet. All it takes is just to pour your hot cocoa inside beforehand! Provide Toppings There’s no doubt that toppings are what makes your cocoa special. Start off with classic marshmallows, which may include mini-marshmallows, Gingerbread marshmallows, peppermint marshmallows, pumpkin marshmallows, and beyond. To bring some balance to your all-marshmallow table, you can also offer syrups, caramel sauce, sprinkles (chocolate bits, mixed nuts, butterscotch chips, coconut flakes, etc.), whipped cream, York Peppermint Patties, and more. Instead of wooden stirrers, it’s highly recommended to offer Peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks, chocolate covered spoons, and rock candy sticks. |
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Keep it Hot
Since hot cocoa is a staple, a lukewarm beverage can spoil everything. But don’t panic, there are at least two ways to keep it hot throughout the evening. If you are going to invite a large crowd, you can’t do without a crock pot – simply pour your cocoa inside and leave it there on warm for a couple of hours (you can also turn on high I case you are in a hurry). For a small number of guests coming, an insulated thermos is a safe bet. All it takes is just to pour your hot cocoa inside beforehand!
Provide Toppings
There’s no doubt that toppings are what makes your cocoa special. Start off with classic marshmallows, which may include mini-marshmallows, Gingerbread marshmallows, peppermint marshmallows, pumpkin marshmallows, and beyond. To bring some balance to your all-marshmallow table, you can also offer syrups, caramel sauce, sprinkles (chocolate bits, mixed nuts, butterscotch chips, coconut flakes, etc.), whipped cream, York Peppermint Patties, and more. Instead of wooden stirrers, it’s highly recommended to offer Peppermint sticks, cinnamon sticks, chocolate covered spoons, and rock candy sticks.
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Pick a Tablecloth & Decorate Around It Whether you are going to assemble a small cocoa bar for your family or a huge one for a crowd, sticking to a certain color palette can make it even more enticing. Because hot cocoa is a winter beverage, Christmas color scheme would be a perfect fit. You can drape your station with a white/red gingham tablecloth or table skirt and decorate around these elements. Alternatively, you can make your cocoa your main inspiration and throw our chocolate raffia bolt or polyester tablecloth. Another way to incorporate some cocoa into your décor is to try out our 3-tier burlap table skirt and complement it with other natural-toned accessories. |
Pick a Tablecloth & Decorate Around It
Whether you are going to assemble a small cocoa bar for your family or a huge one for a crowd, sticking to a certain color palette can make it even more enticing. Because hot cocoa is a winter beverage, Christmas color scheme would be a perfect fit. You can drape your station with a white/red gingham tablecloth or table skirt and decorate around these elements. Alternatively, you can make your cocoa your main inspiration and throw our chocolate raffia bolt or polyester tablecloth. Another way to incorporate some cocoa into your décor is to try out our 3-tier burlap table skirt and complement it with other natural-toned accessories.
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Matching Servers Matching jars, servers, and cups will enhance the “comeliness” of your cocoa bar. Our clear plastic candy containers are a cute and super-trendy option to display your marshmallows, toffies, cocoa flakes, and other small-sized toppings. Meanwhile, our glass jars with metal clips will save some of your candy from getting dry. For your cupcakes, we strongly recommend you our clear disposable plates or our palm leaf serving trays. Don’t forget about cups, stirrers, and beverage napkins. For a visual interest, don’t hesitate to display all your jars and serving plates on our clear centerpiece risers. On top of that, don’t neglect balance – if you have a tall thing (like a crock pot) on one side, remember to balance it with something else tall on the other side. Details! Adding in details will make a huge difference. For example, labeling ingredients with a chalkboard sign is a stylish way to prevent problems with all the guests who stick to a specific diet. Since cocoa is often associated with all things rustic, including some wooden accessories will make your bar even more authentic. For example, you can pull out our birchwood spoons instead of those made of stainless steel or plastic and display some tealights in our natural stump candle holders. To freshen things up, you can add in our artificial succulents (or fir tree branches) housed in our rustic planters. At the same time, our vintage globe string lights will create a cozy atmosphere. |
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Matching Servers
Matching jars, servers, and cups will enhance the “comeliness” of your cocoa bar. Our clear plastic candy containers are a cute and super-trendy option to display your marshmallows, toffies, cocoa flakes, and other small-sized toppings. Meanwhile, our glass jars with metal clips will save some of your candy from getting dry. For your cupcakes, we strongly recommend you our clear disposable plates or our palm leaf serving trays. Don’t forget about cups, stirrers, and beverage napkins. For a visual interest, don’t hesitate to display all your jars and serving plates on our clear centerpiece risers. On top of that, don’t neglect balance – if you have a tall thing (like a crock pot) on one side, remember to balance it with something else tall on the other side.
Details!
Adding in details will make a huge difference. For example, labeling ingredients with a chalkboard sign is a stylish way to prevent problems with all the guests who stick to a specific diet. Since cocoa is often associated with all things rustic, including some wooden accessories will make your bar even more authentic. For example, you can pull out our birchwood spoons instead of those made of stainless steel or plastic and display some tealights in our natural stump candle holders. To freshen things up, you can add in our artificial succulents (or fir tree branches) housed in our rustic planters. At the same time, our vintage globe string lights will create a cozy atmosphere.
What about you? Are you going to offer a cup of hot cocoa to your family and friends while the weather outside is frightful? Which toppings are you going to serve? Please let us know in the comments below!
