HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT HOT COCOA STATION FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Family friends Su Sazama, co-founder of the modern design site fitzsu, and interior designer Tracy Sonka Stultz of Sonka Stultz Designs, stopped by to teach me and my friend Darcey how to create a modern Hot Cocoa Station for the holidays.

Here’s what you’ll need: a heat-proof pitcher to hold the warm milk and a bowl for your cocoa powder (we used a coffee serving set made by Arne Jacobsen for Stelton). It’s nice to have fun mugs for your guests. We used Hakusan Fancy Tea Cups designed by Masahiro Mori, which are also made for the sight-impaired. Each cup has a unique shape which makes it easy to recognize by touch and easy to grip. These tea cups are also made of thin porcelain, which is a common practice in Japan, and acts as a safety device. If the cup is too hot to pick up then the liquid inside is too hot for delicate lips to drink.

We used organic Silly Cow cocoa powder made in Vermont, warm organic milk and almond milk, plus these ingredients to flavor: cinnamon sticks, crushed cardamom, homemade peppermint simple syrup, fresh whipped cream and marshmallows (we used an adorable slanted John Pawson bowl to hold our marshmallows).

*Flavoring with homemade peppermint simple syrup*

These whimsical heart-shaped spoons were designed by Miriam Mirri for Alessi. They are sure to put a smile on your friends’ faces and, as you can see, they also make great photo opps, too.