How to Style your Holiday Hot Cocoa Bar

It's hot cocoa season and we are ready to share some of our top secret tricks to styling the perfect Hot Cocoa Bar for your friends and family! From mix-ins to marshmallows, we're sharing some sure-fire ways to 

Set your space - whether you’re using a bart cart (shown) or a countertop, make sure you have enough space to lay out some mugs, your cocoa, and any additional decor.

Go big with your signage - we ordered some glam rose gold balloons to add a bit of pizzazz to our bar. You can definitely do the same -- letter balloons can be found at most party stores. Looking for more of a rustic feel? Try painting your bar menu on some recycled wood, and add fresh sprigs or a garland. 

Get the party started with a few cocoa bases - at minimum, offer a rich dark chocolate and sweet white cocoa. XO Marshmallow has 4-5 cocoa options ranging from Salted Caramel to Peppermint to Butterbeer! I gotta say they're all crowd-pleasers and an incredibly easy way to add variety if you don't have a lot of space. 

Get creative with your mix-ins - when picking cocoa bar mix-ins, it's easy to get overwhelmed with options. First, let me say that you can never make a wrong decision when it comes to your cocoa station. I mean, what doesn't go with chocolate? Our rule of thumb is to think of mix-ins as categories, so we recommend an option in each of the following: sweet, salty, spicy, and seasonal. We love marshmallows (of course), salted caramel chips, a bit of chili powder or cinnamon, and anything peppermint. 

Add a spirited twist - want to kick the party up a notch? Whiskey, Eggnog, Brandy, or Peppermint Schnapps are some of our favorite adult options for hot cocoa bars. Please drink responsibly ;)

It's all about the marshmallows - nothing tops a cup of hot chocolate like fluffy, melty, marshmallows. While we love classic Vanilla, we're also all about mixing it up with flavors that compliment our cocoa. Peppermint? Check. Butterbeer? Great for warm and toasty vibes. Lavender Honey? A Troop XO fave! Most people will add 2-3 marshmallows per cup, but it never hurts to have a few extras…

Finally, have lots of fun! Whether it's for a birthday, bachelorette weekend, or a fun Friday night, you don't need much of a reason to host a hot cocoa bar. We hope these tips bring a bit of glam to your festivities this year. Cheers!