This Christmas cosy up with a hot chocolate from your very own hot chocolate station. While watching a film, decorating your tree, or even playing some games, a hot steaming cup of hot chocolate is sure to help set that Christmas mood.
It seems we all love hot chocolate around Christmastime. By setting up your very own hot chocolate station at home you can create an easy and affordable way of making your own custom hot chocolate. Hot chocolates are such a personal thing, everyone has different preferences over what toppings they want, the flavour of hot chocolate, even if you prefer water or milk (and what type of milk for that matter) as part of the making process of your hot chocolate. A hot chocolate bar is a wonderful way to make a something special for family and friends.
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Hot chocolate station
Photo – KJ and CompanyWhat You Need To Make The Hot Chocolate
There are loads of hot chocolate flavours to enjoy. You can obviously get the classic milk, white and dark chocolate powders. And now you can get white chocolate and raspberry hot chocolate powder, or peppermint hot chocolate powder. And it’s not just powder, some of the most delicious hot chocolate is made from real chocolate, or even syrups. There really are plenty of hot chocolate flavours to choose from.
Hot chocolate flavours
- Nutella / Hazelnut (buy here)
- Peppermint (buy here)
- Salted Caramel (buy here)
- Orange (buy here)
- Peanut (buy here)
- Gingerbread (buy here)
- White Chocolate and Raspberry (buy here)
- Black Forest (buy here)
- Chilli Chocolate (buy here)
- Pumpkin Spice (buy here)
- Fudge/Caramel (buy here)
- Christmas Spice (buy here)
- Dark Chocolate (buy here)
You can find these flavours at most supermarkets. If not you can also make the flavours yourself, by adding syrups and spice powders. You just need the base hot chocolate powder you desire and you’re all set.
Photo: Little Spice Jar When making your very own hot chocolate it is a personal thing. You may decide to have a certain topping or two for one cup of hot chocolate and then a completely different topping for your next one – if you already aren’t feeling too full!
Toppings can range from all things Christmassy like gingerbread men and candy canes to the all-time classic like chocolate flakes, marshmallows and whipped cream.
Hot chocolate toppings
- Marshmallows
- Whipped Cream
- Syrup
- Candy Canes
- Chopped Nuts
- Chocolate Powder
- Cinnamon / Nutmeg powder
- Flakes
- Wafers
- Sprinkles
- Coarse Sea Salt
- Toffee Chunks
- Crushed biscuits
Alcoholic hot chocolate ideas
Then for the Adults ONLY, you could add a shot of spirits.
- Irish Cream (Bailey’s is a seasonal favourite)
- Amaretto (try this new version called Adriatico)
- Whisky
- Rum
- Tequila (we like the Fortaleza reposado)
- Peppermint Liquer (Creme de Menthe)
- Coffee Liquer (such as Kahlua)
- Bourbon
- Drambuie
- Spiced Rum (we enjoy Sailor Jerry’s)
- Even red wine works with hot chocolate!
Photo: Short Stop DesignsSetting Up The Hot Chocolate Station
The mugs
When setting up your hot chocolate station, consider how many people are attending, that way you can check you have the number of hot chocolate mugs that are needed for your station. If you don’t have enough, people can either bring their own mug.
Mug options:
- Classy glass mugs
- Festive style mugs
- Fun novelty mugs
- Personalised mugs (write your name in chalk)
- Reusable travel mugs
- Paper cups
How to make it hot
- Hot water dispenser – you can place a hot water dispenser plugged in at the station with a filter jug of water next to it so people can refill it when hot water is needed.
- Kettle – Or you can simply pop your kettle on the table with a jug of water next to it so you can simply pop the kettle on whenever you and your guests are ready for a hot chocolate.
- Slow cooker – We’ve even seen recipes for slow cooker hot chocolate which keeps the drink warm for all the guests.
- The velvetiser – if you want smooth hot milk you can use milk frother on your coffee machine, a hand held frother, or the fancy Hot Chocolat velvetiser.
Arranging the toppings
- Small boxes – You can arrange the flavoured hot chocolate powder packages into cute boxes with name cards to know what bowl has which flavour in it.
- Bowls – Alongside this, you can have the different toppings you desire in separate bowls laid out with spoons and little tongs for people to use if they want a certain topping.
- Buckets – We also think these zinc buckets would look awesome on your hot chocolate station table.
- Baskets – For the rustic look you could use baskets to display all the toppings.
- Mason jars – Or go for classic mason jars and decorate with ribbon or butchers string and label with these blackboard stickers and chalk.
- A sign – Adding a sign to let people know what is available will make everything a lot easier for you and your guests when making your hot chocolate.
The table
Utilise one of the tables in the living room or kitchen or whatever room you decide to set up this hot chocolate station. Cover the table with a festive table cloth just in case there are any spills. Lay the mugs out so that they are easily accessible.
Think about creating height with cake stands or upturned boxes, this makes it easier to reach some bits on the hot chocolate bar as well as looking aesthetically-pleasing.
Photo: Society 19Hot Chocolate Bar Tips and Tricks
Don’t forget the basics
Don’t forget the basic things to supple on your hot chocolate bar such as disposable wooden spoons and somewhere to discard the used ones (a small bowl will suffice) and plenty of napkins for your guests. And you want to keep it hygienic so offer small scoops in each of the toppings jars.
Dairy-free alternatives
It’s always nice to consider alternative dietary needs. As hot chocolate tends to be quite dairy heavy, you could offer your guests alternative milks to add such as almond milk, oat milk, or soy milk.
You can have this hot chocolate bar ready and available whenever you want around Christmastime, as it can be something that helps get the guests into that Christmas spirit!
And of course, have fun!
Hot Chocolate Bar
Create your own hot chocolate station/bar in your home including all kinds of hot chocolate flavours, syrups, and toppings. Get really creative and make it pretty with seasonal decorations.
Ingredients
- Chocolate Flakes, Powder, or Syrup
- Milk of your choice (dairy, oat, almond, soy)
- Toppings (whipped cream, sauce, sprinkles, mashmallows, nuts, crushed candy canes, crushed biscuits, sea salt, fudge pieces)
- Alcohol (optional - Bailey's, Amaretto, Whisky, Mint Liquer, Rum, Tequila)
Instructions
- Warm the milk (or dairy alternative) in a milk frother.
- Pour into a large mug and add your choice of hot chocolate flakes, powder, or syrup. Stir well.
- Add your chosen toppings such as whipped cream, sauce, sprinkles, marshmallows, or nuts.
- Alternatively combine the milk and chocolate in a slow cooker and allow to sit on low as you serve the party.
Notes
Use a slow cooker set at the table to ladle out the hot chocolate. Or set up a hot water dispenser.
How to make your own hot chocolate bar at home
