Our ultimate guide to creating a perfect hot chocolate station, so your colleagues can enjoy their winter warmers just the way they like

Sometimes it’s fun to do things a little differently, especially when it comes to your work Christmas party. As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, a soul-soothing hot chocolate can be the perfect winter beverage. And when there’s so much scope to make the ritual of preparing them ultra festive, why not make a hot chocolate station the centrepiece of your office party? Pull out all the stops with our top tips.

It’s sure to be the perfect cosy addition to your special event.

How to set up your festive hot chocolate station

Where to begin?

Start with high-quality hot chocolate

They say any dish is only as good as the ingredients that go into it, and the exact same applies to hot chocolate. If you want your winter warmers to taste just as good as the most luxurious chocolate, you’ll want to look at what goes into that chocolate, and check the ingredients align.

At Hotel Chocolat, all of our hot chocolates are made with real flakes of our own chocolate, and nothing else — meaning you’ll get the same depth of flavour and irresistible smoothness, just in liquid form.

Consider any dietary requirements

Allergies, veganism, or personal preference may rule out some of the classic milk chocolate offerings — so be sure to take these guests into consideration and provide options for everyone.

Oat, almond and hazelnut milks are all dairy-free alternatives that guarantee no compromise on creaminess — as certified by our hot chocolate masters. And when you choose your hot chocolate flakes, pick out some that are vegan, and clearly label them as such. Dark drinking chocolates are often safe bets, and there are still plenty of flavours to choose from.

Set out some festive toppings

Picture a hot chocolate with all the trimmings, and you’ll likely imagine whipped cream and marshmallows aplenty — but the realm of possibilities goes far beyond the classics.

Put simply, if a flavour pairs well with chocolate, it’ll make your hot chocolates all the more delicious. Coarse sea salt, crushed peppermints and chocolate truffles are all brilliant toppings that too often go forgotten — but at this time of year, it’s the festive flavours you’ll really want to get creative with.

We recommend candy canes, cinnamon sticks, and pieces of chocolate Winter Puddings — both taste-wise, and to get your party guests’ creations looking Christmassy too.

Make sure you have plenty of space

The beauty of a hot chocolate station is that it can easily be scaled up or down depending on how much space you have to work with — but saying that, the more the merrier!

If you want to go all out with an exciting array of choices for your guests, you’ll need to set aside a space that accommodates, and then some. No doubt your station will prove popular. Plus, you’ll want people to be able to socialise as they prepare their drinks, just as they would at a bar.

Don’t forget the essential tableware

The show can’t go on without the hot chocolate-making equipment. We may be biased, but our favourite is our barista-grade system, the Velvetiser. As luxe as it is compact, the Velvetiser creates the most sumptuous hot chocolate with just the click of a button.

Beyond your hot chocolate maker, you’ll need to choose between mugs and disposal cups. Mugs always feel a little more special, and they can make an excellent Christmas gift for your colleagues to take home. Of course, they’re the eco-friendly option too. And finally — spoons for topping and stirring. For a boost to the overall aesthetic, dainty metal or wooden spoons always deliver.

Add some nibbles

How about some biscuits for dipping into the chocolatey goodness? For the perfect pairing, opt for a crumbly biscuit that still holds its shape — like our Dunking Biscuits, available in five biscotti flavours.

Gingerbread is another firm festive favourite — in biscuit or chocolate form. Or, for the cacao connoisseurs, set out some extra chocolates to melt away into the velvety abyss, adding an even deeper level of flavour or an additional touch of sweetness.

Offer a tipple

Christmas is a time for celebration, so why not provide the option of a little tipple at your hot chocolate station? There are endless concoctions you can dream up by combining hot chocolate with various spirits and liqueurs.

We’ve taken the guesswork out of the equation with our winning line-up of Velvetised Creams, all of which balance our smooth chocolate with warming undertones. A touch of Espresso Martini, Salted Caramel & Clementine or Mince Pie Velvetised Cream is all it takes for a little festive spirit.

Make the presentation extra special

Once you’ve stocked up on your selection of hot chocolates, toppings and nibbles, display them in pride of place. An assortment of labelled glass jars always works nicely, giving a slightly rustic feel while showing off the many options on offer. This is an ideal display option if you want to stock up on our delectable hot chocolate pouches. Alternatively, you could set out individual hot chocolate sachets for your colleagues to choose from.

And at this time of year, you’ll also want to add tasteful Christmas decorations as a festive finishing touch. That could involve pine cones, ornaments or a string of fairy lights carefully wrapped around the space. We’re feeling cosier just thinking about it.

Luxurious drinking chocolate from Hotel Chocolat

At Hotel Chocolat, our chocolatiers are busy creating some of the finest hot chocolates available today. They’re all made from sustainable and ethical high-grade cacao and enhanced with a huge variety of natural flavours, from Vanilla White, Dark Choc Mint and Hazelnut Praline, to the delightfully festive Mince Pie and Salted Caramel and Clementine. See our entire Christmas chocolate collection.

For further inspiration, read our guide on how to set up a hot chocolate bar.