There’s nothing quite like a warm mug of hot chocolate to chase away the winter blues. After an afternoon of shoveling, why not treat your family to a yummy hot cocoa bar? They can assemble their own mugs of cocoa and add their favorite toppings. It’s a great way “chill” together. Try these fun ideas:

Organizing A DIY Hot Chocolate Bar

What You’ll Need:

  • The perfect spot. The hot chocolate bar can easily be arranged on any large surface—the dining room, sideboard, kitchen breakfast bar, etc. Add a decorative tablecloth or placemats.
  • Drinkware. Clear glass mugs and punch cups best showcase the gourmet beverage inside, but you can use whatever you have handy for hot beverages.
  • Utensils. You’ll need spoons for serving, spoons for stirring, paper straws (optional), and festive napkins.
  • Small, wide-mouth canning jars or shallow dishes are ideal for the toppings. Tie a decorative ribbon or yarn around the rim of each jar for an attractive display. Fill jars with toppings and arrange.

Another option is to create a “charcuterie” board of your toppings, the hottest trend.

Hot Chocolate Bar Toppings

Include an assortment of topping choices, so guests can create a yummy drink with a WOW factor. Here’s our list of suggested toppings for your hot chocolate bar. Use any or all!

  • Cans of whipped cream (flavors or plain)
  • Mini chocolate chips or shavings
  • Sprinkles or “Jimmies“
  • Cinnamon sticks
  • Shaker bottles of spices: ground cinnamon, ginger, cayenne pepper (for Mexican Hot Chocolate)
  • Candy canes or crushed peppermint candies
  • Gingerbread cookies, crushed, or graham cracker crumbs
  • Coconut flakes, lightly toasted
  • Mini marshmallows
  • Chocolate syrup, hot fudge, or caramel sauce—or all three!
  • Any other fun toppings, fancy stir spoons, or whatever yummy treat you can think of… the sky’s the limit!

The Star of the Show

Your hot chocolate can be any recipe you choose. You can put out individual instant packets and a thermos of hot water, or prepare the hot chocolate in advance (recipes below) and keep it warm in a thermos, carafe, or crockpot.

If you don’t want to go the instant packet route, you can try some of these made-from-scratch hot cocoa recipes:

The Best Hot Chocolate Ever (Non-Dairy Recipe)

Excerpted from Naturally Sweet Blender Treats by Deborah Tukua. Yield: 2 cups

Adult Beverage Options

Turn basic hot chocolate into a warm winter cocktail by adding peppermint schnapps, chocolate-flavored liqueur, orange liqueur, or Irish cream to your hot chocolate bar.

The Best Hot Chocolate Ever (Non-Dairy Recipe)

  • Deborah Tukua
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