Here’s How To Keep Hot Chocolate Warm: Tips for Inside and Outside

A suitable container is necessary to keep hot chocolate warm for longer. However, some methods, such as pre-heating, can also be followed. 

In this little guide, I have explained each method for using your hot beverage indoors and outdoors. 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!

Ways to keep hot chocolate hotter for longer

Use a thermos 

This is quite a convenient way to keep your hot chocolate warm longer. A thermos’s primary role is to keep your beverage hot on the go, but you might as well use it at home to keep your favorite hot beverage warm until you’ve finished drinking it. 

However, to achieve the thermos’s ultimate effect, you might use some pre-heating methods. This will take only a few minutes but will have great results. You just need to put hot water in the thermos and let it sit for a few 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 hot chocolate and keep it warm for a long time. It is quite useful because you can prepare a larger amount of hot chocolate. 

Some people use a crockpot even outside, but only with access to an electrical outlet. 

However, you must be prepared that a crockpot might make a mess. In other words, getting your hot chocolate in a cup is not easy 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 an 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 designed to keep beverages hot. Therefore, you will not regret opting for this appliance to keep your beverage warm. In addition, this tool for hot drinks is great because you can use it to serve hot chocolate to friends who have come over to your house. 

However, the downside is that you can never tell how much hot chocolate is left in the thermos coffee carafe. You will have to shake it up 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 marshmallows on top. They make the cup of hot chocolate look more festive and 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 your beverage stays warm for a long time. If you do not mind the sweetness, you can add a double layer of marshmallows, and your hot chocolate will stay warm for a while. 

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. 

Keeping 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 do not enjoy activities that might happen outside during the holidays. However, there is a way to make the cold bearable and warm yourself, even on snowy days. 

Hot chocolate is a great solution for winter days, even when you have to drink it outside. But you need to try some ways to keep your beverage warm for a longer time so you can 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 cold in a couple of minutes. Therefore, you should use the following methods to ensure that your hot chocolate is kept warm for more than a few moments.

Stainless steel double-walled thermos will do the trick

Stainless steel thermoses are usually quite useful for keeping drinks warm, even on very cold days. If you want to ensure 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. 

Moreover, this thermos is suitable for a larger amount of hot chocolate, not only one cup. This means you can get hot chocolate on the go for yourself and your friend. It will not be suitable for the whole family, though. 

However, you can be sure 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 for up to six hours. So, if you opt for this solution and 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. It will keep your drink warm enough for quite some time, and 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. You can opt for a dispenser that can fit several servings or just a couple of them, depending on whether you want to share your hot chocolate with someone or not. 

There are coffee dispensers that can hold up to sixteen servings of hot chocolate. So, you can have a small outdoor gathering and still keep yourself warm. The best way to do that is with a hot beverage, such as hot chocolate. For this purpose, the 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 can keep your hot chocolate warm for at least an hour. However, this solution is 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 to avoid burning your hands.

How to serve hot chocolate at a party? 

When throwing a holiday-themed party, hot chocolate is the most festive drink you can serve. 

A cup of hot chocolate is a great option for a party. First, it is sweet and can keep you and your guests warm, and second, it will look great as part of your party decorations. If you want to do something creative for your party, you can set up a hot chocolate bar. 

Firstly, you must consider 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 set up a regular table with a festive tablecloth.

Setting up your hot chocolate stage means you must arrange your bar cart or table with hot chocolate toppings, a pitcher, and other supplies. I have provided a brief list of what you can include to serve 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 have everything you need, you will need to think about how you will serve them hot chocolate. 

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 to keep your favorite winter beverage warm for a longer period. Since there are solutions, there is no reason to hurry when drinking your hot chocolate.