How to Keep Hot Chocolate Warm? Tips for Inside and Outside
Hot chocolate is the best beverage you can get during the gloomy, cold days in winter, and it is an especially wanted drink around the holidays. However, as the name suggests, this drink is supposed to be drunk hot. Sometimes, it is difficult to maintain this beverage up to the temperature you desire, especially if you serve it outside. Therefore, you may wonder how to keep hot chocolate warm for a longer time?
To keep hot chocolate warm for a longer time, you need to have a suitable container. But there are also some methods, such as pre-heating, that you need to follow.
In this article, I have explained each method, both for indoor and outdoor use of your hot beverage. I have also included some tips that will help you serve hot chocolate during a party because my guests just love these combos. Let’s start!
How Can You Keep Hot Chocolate Hotter for Longer?
The most obvious solution would be to drink it faster. However, that is not the point of hot chocolate. Besides that, hot chocolate is sweet, so you might not want to rush through the whole sweetness really fast.
Luckily, some ways might help you keep your hot chocolate warm longer, but you must follow some precise steps. Only then you will be able to enjoy this warm beverage as you desire. That is why I have made a list of methods with brief explanations, so you can see which one suits you best.
Use a Thermos
This is quite a convenient way that will help you keep your hot chocolate warm longer. The primary role of thermos is to keep your beverage hot on the go. However, you might as well use it at home when you want to keep your favorite hot beverage warm until the end of your drinking.
But, to achieve the ultimate effect of the thermos, you might use some pre-heating methods. This will take only a couple of minutes, but it will have great results. You just need to put hot water in the thermos and let it sit for a couple of minutes.
This way, your thermos will already be hot when you put your hot chocolate in, meaning that you will prepare a hot environment for your beverage. This method keeps your hot chocolate warmer for a really long time, so you do not need to rush through your drinking process.
Use a Crockpot
A crockpot is an amazing cookware in which you can make your hot chocolate and keep it warm for a long time. A crockpot is quite useful because you can prepare a larger amount of hot chocolate.
Some people tend to use a crockpot even outside, but only if they have access to an electrical outlet.
However, you have to be prepared that a crockpot might make a mess. In other words, getting your hot chocolate in a cup is not an easy task since you cannot just pour it as you always do with beverages. You will need to use a ladle or a similar utensil, and you should expect this process to be messy, especially if you are not experienced.
Nonetheless, it is an excellent solution for serving hot chocolate to more people. If you prepare hot chocolate in smaller cookware, you should expect to spend a lot of time. Also, in the meantime, the hot chocolate you have already prepared might cool off, and there is no enjoyment in that kind of beverage.
Use Insulated Server For Hot and Cold Beverages
This is another kitchen appliance that you will find convenient for preparing hot chocolate that will stay warm for a long time.
A thermos coffee carafe is actually designed to keep beverages hot. Therefore, you will not regret it if you opt for this appliance to keep your beverage warm. In addition, this tool for hot drinks is great because you can use it for serving hot chocolate to friends that have come over to your house.
However, the bad side of it is that you can never tell how much hot chocolate has left in the thermos coffee carafe. You will have to shake it up a little bit for a quick test.
Use Marshmallows
Marshmallows are a common addition to hot chocolate, especially around the winter holidays. Both children and adults enjoy a cup of hot chocolate with a bunch of marshmallows on the top. Firstly, they make the cup of hot chocolate look more festive, and secondly, they add a certain level of deliciousness to this hot and sweet beverage.
However, there is one more reason why marshmallows can benefit your drink. Namely, when you top your hot chocolate cup with a single layer of marshmallows, they will ensure that your beverage stays warm for a long time. If you do not mind the sweetness, you can even add a double layer of marshmallows, and your hot chocolate will stay warm for quite some time.
This is the easiest way for you to enjoy a cup of hot chocolate in the comfort of your home, without worrying that it will get cold really soon. What is more, marshmallows can act as sweeteners, so you will not have to add additional sugar to your hot chocolate.
How to Keep Hot Chocolate Warm Outside?
During the cold winter days, you rarely want to go outside, and even a quick errand seems like the most difficult thing you have to do. If this sounds familiar, then you definitely do not enjoy activities that might happen outside during the holidays. However, there is a way to make the cold bearable for some time and to warm yourself, even on snowy days.
Hot chocolate is a great solution for the winter days, even when you have to drink it outside. But, you need to try some ways that will keep your beverage warm for a longer time, so you will have the chance to enjoy it properly. So, whether you have some neighborhood activity or want to keep yourself warm during some snow play, a cup of hot chocolate will help you out.
However, you will certainly not want your hot beverage to become held in a couple of minutes. Therefore, you should go for the following methods to ensure that your hot chocolate will be kept warm for more than just a few moments.
Stainless Steel Double-Walled Thermos Will Do The Trick
Usually, thermoses made of stainless steel are quite useful for keeping drinks warm, even on very cold days. If you want to make certain that your hot chocolate will stay warm for at least a couple of hours, then you should opt for a double-walled thermos that ensures the warmth of your beverage.
What is more, this kind of thermos is suitable for a larger amount of hot chocolate, not only one cup. This means that you can get hot chocolate on the go, for you and your friend, for example. It will not be suitable for the whole family, though.
However, you can be sure that your hot chocolate will stay hot in this kind of thermos for a long time. Some stainless steel double-walled thermoses can keep the drink hot even up to six hours. So, if you opt for this solution, and you need to buy a thermos, look closely at its features, and make sure that it will give you the properties you are looking for.
A Big Coffee Carafe With A Pump Might Be Quite Beneficial
A coffee dispenser with a pump is the most convenient thing you can use for your hot chocolate. Firstly, it will keep your drink warm enough for quite some time. Secondly, it is practical, so you can really take it on the go.
There are coffee dispensers of different sizes, so you can choose one that suits your needs. This means that you can opt for a dispenser that can fit several servings or just a couple of them. This depends on whether you want to share your hot chocolate with someone or not.
There are coffee dispensers that can contain up to sixteen servings of hot chocolate. So, you can make a small outside gathering and still keep yourself warm. And, the best way to do that is with a hot beverage, such as hot chocolate. For this purpose, Tomakeit Airpot Coffee Carafe Thermal will serve you fine.
Go For The Classic Styrofoam Cups
Styrofoam cups are the classic solution for keeping your beverages hot during cold winter days. You have probably seen many coffee shops that use these cups to serve coffee-to-go. That is why this is a recommended method for keeping hot chocolate warm when you are outside.
The material of these cups is designed to prolong the cooling. Therefore, you will be able to keep your hot chocolate warm for at least an hour. However, this is a solution only for immediate use, so you cannot take your hot chocolate and drink it later, like in a thermos.
In addition, styrofoam cups are only suitable for one serving, so you should not plan to pour more than one regular cup of hot chocolate. As I said, these are good for immediate use, so you should expect around one hour of warmth from your beverage. While using styrofoam cups, try to put one cup in another so you avoid burning your hands.
How to Serve Hot Chocolate at a Party?
When it comes to throwing a holiday-themed party, the most festive drink you can serve is hot chocolate.
A cup of hot chocolate is a great option for a party, firstly because it is sweet and can keep you and your guests warm, and secondly, it will look great as part of your party decorations. If you really want to do something creative for your party, then you can set up a whole hot chocolate bar.
Firstly, you have to think about where you would like to set up your hot chocolate stage. For instance, you can use a bar cart. However, if you do not own one, you can always go with setting up a regular table with a festive tablecloth.
To set up your hot chocolate stage means that you will have to arrange your bar cart or table with hot chocolate toppings, a pitcher, and other supplies. I have provided a brief list of the things you can include for serving hot chocolate at your party. Of course, these are only suggestions, so you might go with substitutes or with a few things from the list, not all of them.
- Festive cups suitable for a serving of hot chocolate
- Napkins
- Spoons for stirring
- A festive tablecloth
- Small bowls for toppings
Once you obtain everything you need, you will have to think about how you are going to serve them hot chocolate.
You need to consider that you need something that will keep your party beverage warm for a few hours since your guests might want to have hot chocolate at different times. Therefore, your best option is to serve your hot chocolate in a large thermos or a crockpot.
What to Serve with Hot Chocolate?
Since we are talking about hot chocolate, you are probably already aware that you have many options. Different toppings go well with hot chocolate, and they are also in fun shapes and sizes, so they will contribute to the festivity of your party. Some suggestions are the following:
- Whipped cream
- Cinnamon sticks
- Marshmallows
- Gingerbread cookies
- Crushed peppermint
- Peppermint sticks
- Hot chocolate stir sticks
Finally, we can establish that there are ways in which you can keep your favorite winter beverage warm for a longer period. Since there are solutions, there are no reasons for any hurry when drinking your hot chocolate.
