I’m not a huge fan of the weather getting colder but there are a few perks. Enjoying warm drinks at this time of year is definitely one them! I put together this cute, colorful, and festive Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar for us to enjoy while Ethan and I decorated our Christmas tree. It did the trick for putting us in the holiday spirit.
This year I’m more excited than ever for the holidays. It’s the first time in my adult life that I have space for a regular sized Christmas tree and to do holiday decorating at all. I bought the pink Christmas tree of my dreams and I can’t wait to reveal it in all its glory! Perhaps I can even throw a little holiday party since I’m so proud of how everything came out. I don’t know about you but I love a “build your own anything station” at a holiday gathering. Today I’m sharing how to build a simple Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar for your own winter or holiday gathering.
You can make your own hot chocolate like the recipe I made here or put a Keurig out if you own one. I did both that way people could choose what they wanted. The Keurig route is definitely easier but I love making fresh hot chocolate from scratch. I put my fresh hot chocolate in an enamel serving pot and left out a jar of hot chocolate pods for the Keurig.
You can use little glass jars to house all your hot chocolate toppings. My favorite hot chocolate toppings include:
- mini chocolate chips
- mini marshmallows (I bought regular and peppermint)
- sprinkles
- crushed peppermint
- flavored stirring spoons or straws
- marshmallow snowflakes and snowmen
I don’t like to add booze to the hot chocolate mix. Since it’s hot it can burn the alcohol off. It’s nice to put out a few bottles that go best with hot chocolate. Guests can pick their favorite spirit and mix it to their own taste. It also allows the hot chocolate to be non-alcoholic. Hello children, non-drinkers, and pregnant ladies! They all need a holiday treat too! My favorite spirits to leave out on my Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar are:
- Irish cream (like Kerrygold)
- Licor 43
- whiskey (bourbon, rye, or Irish)
- rum (spiced or dark)
- brandy (American, French, or Spanish)
- sherry (Pedro Ximenez)
- creme de cacao (I love Tempus Fugit)
- coffee liqueur
- amaretto or biscotti liqueur (Faretti)
This is an easy and delicious treat when you’re having holiday guests over. It takes the pressure off of you while you’re entertaining and guests get to make their own delicious wintery treat! I hope you consider putting a Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar together for your festivities. Don’t forget to include some fun holiday decor as well!
Be Merry Balloon Banner / Hot Cocoa Pot / Pink Marble Mugs / Bottle Brush Trees from Target and Homegoods / My Cinema Lightbox / Pink Tree
