How to set up a hot chocolate bar

Set up your own hot chocolate bar and have delicious drinks at the ready whenever a cocoa craving strikes

If you simply adore hot chocolate, you’d be forgiven for wanting to set up your own hot chocolate bar. After all, it can get expensive going to that cute coffee shop to get every cocoa-fix. Plus, if you can make it yourself at home, you can make it just how you like it… Ooh, we’re getting cravings just thinking about it!

While setting up a hot chocolate bar at home is always a great idea, there are a few things you’ll want to consider before getting stuck in.

In this article, we’ll cover the ins and outs of making the best hot cocoa in town. Grab a pen and paper (and maybe a mug of hot cocoa to keep you going). Let’s get started…

The best hot chocolate-making equipment

The success of your hot chocolate will depend on your hot chocolate-making prowess and the equipment you’ll be making it with. It goes without saying, but hot chocolate made in a microwave just isn’t going to cut it in the flavour, consistency and presentation stakes. Especially in comparison to hot chocolate made with our dedicated machine — the Velvetiser.

If you’re serious about making the silkiest, most velvety hot chocolate possible, we recommend setting yourself up with a Velvetiser. Available in copper, charcoal or white, the Velvetiser is so aesthetically pleasing that it will make you love having a corner of your kitchen dedicated to the craft of cocoa-brewing.

Having a specialised hot chocolate-making machine will add some intrigue and glamour to your hot chocolate bar, especially when you’re hosting friends and family. Tuck it away when you’re not using it or keep it out on display as a sophisticating counter-top centrepiece.

Keep your cupboards stocked with high-quality hot chocolate

Next, you’ll need to have a good supply of hot chocolate! There’s no point in having a hot chocolate bar if you keep running out of the key ingredient — drinking chocolate.

As you might have guessed, here at Hotel Chocolat, we have extremely high standards when it comes to hot chocolate. We make our hot chocolates with flakes of our own real chocolate, ensuring the depth and quality of our cacao goes into every mug.

Take a peek at our different drinking chocolates and grab a few different flavours. Even if something isn’t your favourite, a guest or family member is bound to enjoy it!

If you’re creating a permanent hot chocolate bar or corner of your kitchen, we recommend getting a few glass jars where you can keep your hot chocolate on display. Plus, it will be ready for you to use whenever the mood strikes. Our hot chocolate pouches make the perfect refills.

What chocolate flavours to include?

Good question!

Each hot chocolate flavour brings something different to the beverage, so we don’t like to play favourites! What we will say, however, is that quality is everything. Especially when it comes to drinking chocolate and you’re constantly assessing the flavour profile in every sip. Ensure you’re stocking yourself up with premium hot chocolate, and every mug will be a winner.

If you’re new to flavours other than milk chocolate, our Everything Hot Chocolate Sachet Selection is a great place to start, introducing you to ten hot chocolate flavours — from 70% dark to silky salted caramel. Alternatively, if you’re vegan or dairy-free, our 45% Nutmilk Hot Chocolate Sachets work wonderfully with a range of plant milks. Plus, going dairy-free is a great way to make your hot chocolate a little healthier, too!

If you have a Velvetiser, you’ll need to ensure you’re using suitable hot chocolate flakes that won’t damage the carefully crafted machine. Good news, all of our own are suitable.

Which snacks go well with hot chocolate?

There really are no rules when it comes to the best snacks to enjoy with hot chocolate. Still, we do have some recommendations. If you’re looking to venture away from your old snacking go-tos and explore pastures new, we can’t get enough of our luxury biscuits.

Our Dunking Biscuits are particularly well-suited to the dunking and dipping that comes with the territory of hot chocolate sipping. You’ll find five biscotti flavours in a pack of these biscuits, and each can hold its shape after a full 10-second dunk. Impressive huh!

Alternatively, if chocolate on chocolate isn’t too much for you (maybe see it as a challenge!), then you’ll love our Batons and Slabs for dunking and melting into your hot cocoa. Nab a few different cocoa-percentages and keep them in jars on your hot chocolate bar. Your guests can help themselves!

How to keep your drinks hot

While the best way to ensure you get to enjoy truly ‘hot’ hot chocolate is to not forget about it and drink it in good time, the type of mug you use can make a difference. If you’re purchasing some new mugs for your new chocolate-centric hobby, opt for ceramic mugs over glass ones. These will retain heat for longer, giving you more time to relax, chat with friends, and enjoy your cocoa.

We hope you’ve enjoyed these tips for setting up your own hot chocolate bar! Have fun and happy sipping.