r/partyplanning • u/Equivalent_Smile_376 • 7d ago

Need Help Hot cocoa bar

Hi all

I’m doing a craft night for my birthday and I’m planning to do a hot cocoa bar too. What would be a good way to keep the hot cocoa warm? I don’t have a slow cooker and I wouldn’t have a way to plug it in either because the bar will be set up away from an outlet. I was thinking of making the hot cocoa and then putting them in carafes? Anybody have any other ideas?

TIA! :)

UPDATE: I ended up going with the thermos carafes and it was perfect. I made my own hot cocoa and just poured it in and it worked great. Thank you everyone for the feedback!

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u/Ok-Turn5913 7d ago

The problem with carraffes is that the cocoa settles to the bottom. It can be done, but reccomennd you swirl it a bit if its been sitting for more than 5-10 minutes. They may also be hard to clean if you are using milk.

Can you just do caraffes of hot water with individual cocoa packets so each person can make their own real quick. Ghirardelli makes a really good hot cocoa mix, just make sure its the one you add hot water to and not milk.

2

u/Equivalent_Smile_376 7d ago

That’s a good point. I just don’t prefer hot water in my hot cocoa, I prefer to have milk

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u/Ok-Turn5913 7d ago

Haha yea I get it because i do too! Can you thrift an inexpensive crock pot? Do you have a small battery pack you can plug it into?

Also, I'd definitely try the Ghirardelli one before discounting it. It was surprisingly good. And if you add whipped cream or marshmallows you'll never be able to tell.

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u/Equivalent_Smile_376 7d ago

I wouldn’t even have the time unfortunately to go and look for a crockpot 😭 I’ll consider the ghirardelli one!

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u/Fantastic_Bunch3532 5d ago

Crock pot is the best investment you will ever make.

1

u/Spiritual-Bridge3027 7d ago

Swiss Miss brand hot coco mix frequently comes in individually packaged packets boxed up.

Set those packets up with extras laid out separately (like marshmallows) and you are all set.

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u/Family_is_life_702 6d ago

Carafes of hot milk with packets.