How to Set Up a Hot Cocoa Bar

A wintertime must-have

There’s something about the holidays that brings us back to the little traditions we grew up loving… only now, we style them a bit better. One of our favorite ways to add warmth, charm, and just the right amount of nostalgia to any gathering? A hot cocoa bar.

Grab a blanket, your coziest socks, and your favorite mug because it’s officially hot cocoa season. But let’s elevate it — consider this the #posh version of your childhood classic. Think: comfort meets aesthetic influencer energy. Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, Friendsmas, or a festive movie night, a hot cocoa bar is the sweetest way to give guests a moment they’ll savor and Instagram immediately.

What you need:

• Electric tea kettle
• Serving tray: We love this wood tray or a three-tiered tray
• Small serving spoons
• Labels: Chalkboard signs or Kraft paper tags
• Mason jars
• Spice shakers
• Hot cocoa mix (or you can always go ‘clean’ with cacao, milk, and sugar)
• Hot cocoa bombs: An additive special for melting in hot cocoa 
• Disposable cups and holiday sleeves (festive sleeves, yes please)

Hosting Hack: Disposable cups mean minimal cleanup.

Hosting Hack II: Ask guests to bring their favorite mug. It adds personality and sparks conversation—everyone has a mug story.

Once you have the basics, it’s time for the fun part: toppings.

Toppings

• Shaved chocolate
• Whipped cream
• Peppermint sticks/candy canes
• Peppermint crumbles/ crushed peppermint
• Cinnamon
• Cayenne pepper
• Marshmallows (all sizes and flavors are welcome, we’re inclusive here)
• Pirouette sticks
• Chocolate sauce
• Caramel sauce
• Bailey’s 
• Eggnog
• Peppermint rumchata/peppermint liqueur

This is where your hot cocoa bar becomes a little dessert station—sweet, playful, and customizable.

How To Set It Up

1. Write out your labels.
   It keeps the bar organized and saves you from answering “What’s this?” a hundred times.
2. Add twine or ribbon around mason jar rims for a festive touch with a little flair.
3. Decide on your labeling style:
   
   • Tie tags to jars with bows, or
   • Place labels in front of each jar for a cleaner look.
4. Fill jars with toppings like marshmallows, chocolate shavings, and peppermint sticks.
   
   • Keep whipped cream in its can for the classic swirl.
   • Keep Bailey’s and eggnog in their bottles — part of the cozy vibe.
5. Add cinnamon and cayenne to spice shakers.
   Label these clearly… because no one needs a surprise cayenne moment.
6. Add serving spoons to all jars.
7. Arrange eggnog and Bailey’s within the layout of jars so everything feels cohesive.
8. Stack cups or mugs and place sleeves so they’re easy to grab.
9. Keep a larger jar of hot cocoa mix on deck for refills (because everyone goes back for seconds).‍
10. At “party o’clock,” heat your kettle and let guests build their perfect cup.

Just like that, you’ve created a warm, inviting, Instagram-worthy cocoa bar that brings people together.

The Final Pour

Hot cocoa may be a nostalgic classic, but in 2025, it’s fully in its comeback era. With a styled bar like this, your guests get a cozy moment that feels personal and fun—and you get a hosting win that’s simple, beautiful, and deeply seasonal.

Cheers to hot cocoa, warm gatherings, and holiday hosting made effortless.

‍

‍