Cold weather and hot drinks like coffee and hot chocolate go hand in hand. If you’re a huge fan of hot chocolate with whipped cream, eggnog lattes, or a nice warm Bailey’s and steamed milk, the holidays are the perfect time to set up a hot beverage bar.
You can set yourself up to make all kinds of hot beverages on cold mornings, at holiday parties, or when having friends over. The best part? It’s not just for the holidays. You can keep your hot beverage bar set up and serve all winter. Here are a few must-haves for a hot beverage bar.
Set up a hot beverage bar in a hutch
Coffee makers are important small appliances, and the trend over the past few years is to create a space in your kitchen for your coffee makers, mugs, and supplies. Some people make room on their countertops, but if you’d like to get creative, you can set up a coffee hutch. You can dedicate a large kitchen hutch as the spot for your coffee bar. This type of hutch has enough storage for your coffee pods, coffee maker, espresso machine, and mugs.
Add an espresso machine to your hot beverage bar
Drip coffee makers or single-serve brewers are a great addition to a hot beverage bar, but to really enjoy all types of hot beverages, you’ll need an espresso machine. The latest espresso machines are available in manual to super automatic styles, and you can make your espresso shots or have the perfect shot created with the touch of a button.
There are models of De’Longhi espresso maker with built-in bean grinder and a touchscreen you can use to make a latte or Americano with the touch of a button. One of my favourites is the De’Longhi La Specialista Manual Espresso Machine. I love the red colour, and it’s a manual machine so I can practice my barista skills. It also has a built-in 
grinder and a steam wand so you can froth easily froth milk.
There’s also the Breville Barista Express Impress Espresso Machine. I love the sleek style of this machine, and it has an integrated conical burr grinder with 25 grind settings so you can grind your beans very precisely. If you like your shots to be as hot as possible, the Thermocoil heating system in this espresso machine will ensure your coffee is at the perfect temperature for you.
Make memories with a hot cocoa maker
Whether you call it hot chocolate or hot cocoa, drinking it always reminds me of my childhood. It would be freezing outside and we’d build forts in the snow for hours, then head inside for our favourite hot drink.
You can bring back those hot chocolate memories with your family by adding a hot chocolate station to your hot beverage bar. If you have kids you can add a small Keurig machine and they’ll be able to make hot chocolate themselves. You just add water to the machine, pop in a hot chocolate pod, and tap the button. There are a lot of different hot chocolate K-cups to choose from including Carnation, Tim Hortons, and Laura Secord. You can put out bowls of sprinkles and mini marshmallows and everyone can make their own custom cup.
Hold your bottles and mugs in style
For the perfect hot beverage bar, you’ll want to set up a spot to display your mugs and glasses. You can create a Christmas display by adding some festive holiday mugs or glasses. Store them on open shelves or behind a glass door, add a few LED battery-operated lights, and your hot beverage bar is ready for the holidays.
Set up your own hot beverage bar today
You’ll love having a hot beverage bar this holiday season. With the chilly weather here for a few months, it’s something you’ll want to keep front and centre in your kitchen. You can find a variety of coffee makers and other hot beverage accessories at Best Buy right now.
