Build Sew Reap: 1st Birthday Party

For the baby's first birthday party, we had a mustache theme. Because it was in mid December, we opted for a menu of warm homemade soups and a cocoa bar. The cocoa bar was so fun to put together and I had all the ingredients on hand.

(photo taken AFTER the party when many of the chocolate mustaches were gone)

Here's what I included:

Candy mustaches on sticks which were secured in styrofoam below some decorative grass in a canister
Starbucks Via instant coffee singles (mocha anyone?)
Fresh whipped cream
White chocolate and peppermint syrups
Buttermints
Vegan marshmellows
Regular mini marshmallows
Cinnamon and sugar in separate shakers
Rich, thick homemade hot chocolate (see recipe below)

I made hot chocolate on the stove top then transferred some of it to the insulated pot you see on the table there. Here's the recipe I used:

Ingredients:

1/3 cup blue agave nectar
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
Dash of salt
1/3 cup hot water
4 cups vanilla soy milk

I followed the instructions on the cocoa container which said to mix the sugar (agave), cocoa, salt and 1/3 cup of water in a saucepan. I cooked it over medium heat until it boiled then kept it boiling for at least 2 minutes. Then I poured in the soy milk and heated to a good drinking temperature.

The agave made it nice and thick but I found I was able to drink several cups without getting a sugar rush which is a nice thing about agave.