A hot chocolate bar is a station where guests get a cup of hot chocolate and finish it with their own toppings. It works at almost any winter event because kids, non-coffee drinkers and guests skipping alcohol can all use the same line.
Below are topping and flavor ideas, setups for a few common events, and how to keep the line moving. If you'd rather not run it yourself, the last section covers what a barista-run bar like ours includes.
When a hot chocolate bar works best
It fits any event where guests stand around in the cold or the night runs late. The most common ones:
- —Office and company holiday parties
- —Winter weddings and rehearsal dinners
- —Church, school and community events with a lot of kids
- —Tree lightings, holiday markets and open houses
It also pairs well with a coffee bar. Guests who want caffeine get espresso, and everyone else gets hot chocolate. We cover more of those combinations in our holiday party ideas for work.
Hot chocolate bar toppings and flavor ideas
Start with a good base, then offer five to eight toppings. More than that slows the line without making the drinks better.
Classic toppings:
- —Whipped cream
- —Mini marshmallows
- —Sprinkles
- —Crushed candy canes
- —Chocolate chips or shavings
- —Caramel sauce
- —Cinnamon sticks
Flavor ideas:
- —Peppermint: crushed candy cane on top, or a pump of peppermint syrup stirred in
- —Salted caramel: caramel sauce with a pinch of flaky salt
- —Mexican hot chocolate: cinnamon and a small pinch of chili
- —Vanilla or hazelnut: a pump of syrup before the milk goes in
- —Dairy-free: oat or almond milk for guests who skip dairy
At our bar, guests top their drinks with whipped cream, sprinkles, marshmallows and candy canes. Every cup can be made with whole, 2%, oat, almond or soy milk. See the full drink list on our menu.
Hot chocolate bar setup ideas for common events
- 01
Office holiday party
Put the bar where people gather after the speeches, not in a back corner. Label each topping so the line doesn't stall on questions. Cups with lids let people walk and talk.
- 02
Winter wedding
Open it at cocktail hour or late in the night after the dancing starts. A small menu sign in your wedding colors and candy cane stir sticks make it feel like part of the day.
- 03
Church or school event
Expect a lot of kids. Keep toppings simple, set the table at their height or put a helper on toppings, and serve drinks warm rather than piping hot.
- 04
Outdoor event
Hot chocolate cools fast outside. Use cups with lids and keep the base in an insulated dispenser. Our cart is self-contained, and we bring a generator option for venues without easy power.
How to serve a crowd without a long line
- 01
Split pouring and toppings
Hand over the drink at one table and put toppings at another, so the next cup starts while the last guest is still adding marshmallows.
- 02
Use open bowls with spoons
Shakers and narrow jars slow people down.
- 03
Open before the rush
Start serving as guests arrive, not right after a speech, so drinks spread out over the hour.
- 04
Staff for the headcount
One person making drinks to order handles roughly 50 to 60 an hour without a line forming. Past that, add a second server.
When to hire a barista-run hot chocolate bar
A do-it-yourself bar works for a small group. For bigger events, a hired bar takes the pouring, timing and cleanup off your plate, so you can be at your own party.
What our hot chocolate bar includes:
- House hot chocolate made to order by our baristas
- Whipped cream, sprinkles, marshmallows and candy canes
- Whole, 2%, oat, almond or soy milk
- Setup and breakdown inside your booking time
- Hot chocolate on its own, or next to our espresso bar
We serve San Antonio, Austin and the Texas Hill Country, including Boerne and New Braunfels. See our hot chocolate bar or get a quote for your date.