Hot chocolate bar: how much per person, free hot cocoa bar calculator
Cold noses at the door, a slow cooker of cocoa steaming on the counter, and everyone building their own mug. Tell us how many are coming and which toppings you love, and get how much milk and cocoa to make, how many marshmallows and candy canes to buy, a setup plan and a sign to print. Free, no sign-up, and nothing leaves your browser.
Your hot cocoa bar
When to set it up
Sources: the Farmers' Almanac hot chocolate bar guide (8 oz mugs as the standard, a gallon of cocoa for about 16 small mugs, a slow cooker to keep it hot, ⅓ cup of dry mix to each cup of hot milk, the mix and toppings made the night before). The share of mugs that take each topping, the amount per mug, the package sizes, the 6-quart slow cooker fill and the two-hours-ahead warming time are our own estimates; check your packages.
The Bingo Table: try it free
One-of-a-kind bingo cards for Christmas movie night, gift opening, holiday parties and bridal showers: print them or play on phones, then call the game from your browser.
Plan the rest of the party
The cocoa bar is one corner of the room. The Holiday Party Planner keeps the guest list, the menu, the shopping and the day-of timeline in one place; for a drop-in afternoon, the Holiday Open House Planner times the food and the guests in waves.
Guest list, menu, shopping list and a day-of timeline for a holiday party, in one spreadsheet.
See it on Etsy Details
Who's dropping by, the food in waves and the setup plan for a holiday open house.
See it on Etsy Details
More: the free party food and drink calculator, the holiday baking schedule and the cookie exchange calculator.
Hot cocoa bar questions
How much hot chocolate per person for a hot cocoa bar?
Plan one 8 oz mug a guest, or two for a long evening. A gallon of cocoa fills about 16 small mugs, so 20 guests having a mug and a half each is 30 mugs, or about 2 gallons of milk.
How much milk do I need for hot chocolate for 20 people?
About 1¼ gallons for one 8 oz mug each (buy 1½), and about 2½ gallons if everyone has two. The calculator works it out for your guest count and mug size.
How much cocoa mix do I need?
With a homemade dry mix, stir about ⅓ cup of mix into each cup of hot milk. With store packets, follow your box; many use one packet for each 6 oz of liquid.
What toppings go on a hot chocolate bar?
Whipped cream and mini marshmallows are the two most people reach for, then crushed candy canes, chocolate chips, caramel sauce, sprinkles, and cinnamon or peppermint sticks to stir with.
How do I keep hot chocolate warm for a party?
A slow cooker on low or warm keeps it hot for hours. Warm the milk and mix in it about 2 hours before guests arrive, stir now and then, and never let it boil.
Do you store what I type in?
No. Everything is worked out in your browser. Nothing is sent or saved; print the list or copy it before you close the page.