In short: A good winter hot chocolate bar offers a short menu of about five flavours in two or three sizes, keeps toppings simple so the queue moves, adds an alcohol-free option next to any mulled wine, and sets service hours around the coldest part of the day or evening.
A hot chocolate bar is one of the easiest ways to make a winter event feel generous. It also goes wrong in predictable ways: long queues, cold drinks and nothing for the adults who do not want mulled wine.
Keep the menu short
Five flavours is plenty. Our Hot Choc Bar board has Classic, Biscoff Boss, Ferrero Royale, Toasted S’more and Caramel Crunch. Anything that sells fewer than ten a day is swapped for the next idea, so the board always stays at five.
Use three sizes
We sell Classic, Loaded and Freak. Classic keeps the queue moving, Loaded adds cream, sauce and toppings, and Freak is a tower with a treat on top for the photos.
| Size | Price at launch |
|---|---|
| Classic | £3.80 |
| Loaded | £5.80 |
| Freak | £7.50 |
Plan for the cold
Hot drinks are most in demand in the first hour of dark. If your event runs from afternoon to evening, plan service across that stretch rather than just the opening window.
Offer a non-alcoholic warm drink beside the mulled wine
At licensed events we can add mulled wine and Baileys hot chocolate for adults. Always keep an alcohol-free mulled punch on the board too.
Check licensing first
Alcohol needs a premises licence or a Temporary Event Notice. Our alcohol licensing guide explains the basics.
Winter swaps
From 20 Nov to 31 Dec, Caramel Crunch swaps to Choc Orange for Christmas.
Ready to plan? See Christmas and winter events or register your event.
Sugar Rush Truck is coming soon and is not trading yet. Register your event to hear when bookings open.