The Wisconsin cold is coming, and once it arrives it will be here to stay! A warm drink is the perfect way to beat the winter chill. Setting up a DIY hot cocoa bar to have available for your family, or for your next gathering, is a surefire way to warm everyone up! Not only will it be a hit with guests, it also looks super chic and cozy as decor.
What You Need
The best hot cocoa bars have plenty of toppings to choose from. You can choose to make your bar as extravagant or as simple as you prefer, but at least three toppings will make it feel luxurious. Some ideas for toppings include mini marshmallows, sprinkles, whipped cream, and chocolate and caramel syrup.
Stir sticks are another luxurious touch to add. Candy canes, or peppermint sticks are a quick and easy option. You can also create stir sticks using skewers with large marshmallows decorated to look like snowmen, or popsicle sticks dipped in melted chocolate and sprinkles.
Don’t forget festive paper straws!
Of course the star of the show is the hot cocoa itself. There are many great recipes out there, but my favorite is this simple slow cooker recipe. It makes a large batch, perfect for a party!
Putting it Together
Choose a counter space that is easily accessible and out of the way of any cooking you’ll be doing. A shallow dough bowl, or a long wooden crate works well for holding your toppings in different sized mason jars. You can fancy up the jars by putting ribbon or twine around them, and getting some cute labels to mark what is in each jar.
Set up your toppings, straws, and stir sticks next to your slow cooker. Choose your favorite winter mugs to line up on your counter space for easy access. If you have the space, some chic signage that reads “Hot Cocoa Bar” is the perfect finishing touch.
Enjoy this sweet, warm drink on these upcoming chilly winter days!
