Hot Cocoa Bar Any One?

Recently a bride mentioned that since her wedding was in January that she wanted to serve hot cocoa.  Truthfully I had a hard time wrapping my mind around that idea but I began to do some research and came about this article thanks to The Bride and Groom.  So I am sharing it with you all.  Enjoy!

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We all know how much people love chocolate, and when its cold outside we all love our chocolate hot.  One of the more unique things we have seen at weddings and other holiday parties and events during the cold winter months is Hot Cocoa Bars.  What a fun and fantastic way to entertain at your reception.  Not only do the kids love it because it is hot chocolate but adults love it as well because it kind of brings out the kid in us.  And when you get creative with some pretty gourmet recipes it can become a big conversation piece at your reception, or any winter party you have for that matter.

Here are some tips for creating a fun hot cocoa bar.

• Color Coordinate~Adding your wedding colors not only to the table scape but to all the fun add ins you choose is a perfect way to keep your colors flowing.
• Use fancy mugs. This can be an fun, attractive way to tie in your colors.
• Have a few assortments of flavored hot cocoa. Some favorites that would also act as a perfect base for your guests’ creations would be peppermint, white chocolate, and dark chocolate.  Make sure the liquid starts out HOT.  The room temperature add-ins will cool the cocoa quickly.
• Be creative & add your personal favorites to your add ins
• Finely chop your chunky add-ins so they will melt well.
• Have both liquid and dry options for add-ins.

Here are some of the fun items you could include as add ins in your hot cocoa bar:

• Marshmallows (what hot cocoa isn’t complete without this staple?)
• Peppermint sticks
• Flavored syrups
• Flavored whipped cream
• Cinnamon sticks
• Orange twists or rinds
• Chopped up candy bar
• Chocolate chips
• Chocolate truffles
• Caramel squares
• Candied ginger
• Raspberry or Orange Sticks
• Macaroons (these are great as you can pull in fun wedding colors with these, plus they are great)

Basically if it tastes good when added to chocolate the sky is really the limit.  This is really a fun unique thing that you can add to your wedding reception and the cost for it would not be very expensive.