Sweater Weather!
As soon as it gets dark at 5pm and morning frost hardens blades of grass, I crave a hot drink every night. Hot chocolate is my favorite winter aperitif, so when researching ideas for an upcoming magazine article on creative hosting ideas, my favorite idea was–you guessed it–a Hot Cocoa Bar!
Easy Kids Activity: Why not ask older kids and tweens to participate? Set up a separate table with a wintery tablecloth or a cleared countertop. Supply mugs and spoons, mix-ins and containers, and labels and markers, and let the kids set up the display with a place saved for the hot cocoa. After you add the hot drink, they can be in charge of introducing the Hot Cocoa Bar to the rest of the guests.
Perk of the “job?” They get first dibs!
Supplies and Ingredients:
- mugs, saucers, spoons
- carafe of cocoa or hot water and powdered cocoa
- containers with or without labels
- mix-ins such as cinnamon sticks, chocolate shavings, peppermint sticks, toasted coconut, crushed toffee or whatever are the fan favorites
- whipped cream and marshmallows
Note: Depending on diet preferences, ingredients may be parve (dairy free), gluten-free, vegetarian or vegan.
Happy hosting, hon!
Naomi M. Gruer 