For all espresso bar bookings the following menu is included with your service. We will happily customize or add items to this menu if you have a particular drink in mind. Contact us to see what customization options are possible!

​Americano
Espresso infused with hot water

Cafe Latte
Espresso, steamed milk & foam

Cappuccino
Espresso, foam, steamed milk

Flavored Café Latte
Hazelnut, Vanilla, Caramel, English Toffee

Cafe Mocha or White Chocolate Mocha
Espresso, chocolate sauce, steamed milk & foam 

Traditional Macchiato
Shot of Espresso marked with creamy foam

Chai Latte
Chai syrup with steamed milk & foam

Hot Chocolate
 

The Chocolate Cup has gone through some major changes this year! Not only is the company offering more services, but also has new ownership! Over the past year, the growing company has been run and operated by Aaron Canales and Lauren Hardacker. These native austinites have over 15 years experience in the hospitality industry with expertise in business management, marketing and sales. They acquired the already 10-year-old local business, one year ago, and have continued to provide excellence and caliber service. They believe the little details go a long way, and specialize in bringing premium deserts and espresso catering to every event.  Their unique product offering of chocolate fountains, espresso, gelato, Hawaiian shaved ice, hand dipped ice cream, mini doughnuts, and Milkshakes brings excitement, variety and a simple nice touch people will remember forever!   
 
When Lauren and Aaron are not busy with the business, they enjoy the local music scene going live concerts and playing with their two dogs, Sadie and Chase. They enjoy going to the Drafthouse to see the newest films, and love to spend time with family and friends here in the city. "We know Austin like the back of our hand, and love not only living here, but running a business locally. We will never leave this growing, awesome city." 


Not only do they know the city well, but they have lots of roots here. With connections with many local businesses and event industry professionals, they know how running a successful service at an event in Austin works. They work with several hotels, restaurants, and event venues here in Austin and surrounding areas to provide the perfect setting for your event set up. 


"Operating The Chocolate Cup has been a true blessing for us, and we enjoy every aspect of this business. We love to provide quality service and premium products for our clients". 

It’s almost that time of year again! Time for great music performances, film debuts, and interactive technologies to showcase their stuff during the highly popular SXSW festival in Austin TX.  In typical SXSW fashion, that means a crazy amount of networking events, company parties, and special programs promoting what the community has to offer.

If you are a party planner, corporation, artist, or just looking to host a special event, finding unique ways to impress out of towners and Austinites alike can be hard. Especially with the every growing registry of attendees, leaving party planning to the professionals is a must. The Chocolate Cup is privileged to be a part of such a wonderful city with many great event venues and event planning companies and SXSW usually has their own platform for booking events, which I personally recommend especially for large companies.

However, some of our preferred companies are Kurant Events, HighBeam Events, and Red Velvet Events just to name a few. Each of these companies specialize in different areas but we love them here at The Chocolate Cup! They provide great attention to detail and specialize in high volume, corporate functions and specialty events. And they are happy to incorporate our services into your party package as well.

Austin is full of great venues and areas to stay, but make sure to make your plans early. With my experience in both hospitality and catering, I would recommend with all seriousness to plan early! Especially your accommodations. For catering and party details I would allow at least 3-6 months of planning. If you are interested in working with us here at The Chocolate Cup we appreciate at least 1 month notice, which would be right about now! So please call us at 512-563-6326 or email us at info@thechocolatecup if you are interested in any specialty services for your party during SXSW.
 
 

The catering business has its share of busy months, but on the flip side there are also some months during the year where events just aren’t as prevalent. That could mean great news for those planning parties and functions during those months, because the savings can be great!

The holiday season is always one of the busiest for event venues, caterers, and wedding planners. And that’s where you will pay premiums to get the dates, times, and vendors you want. However once the holidays die down, parties tend to die down with it. Therefore, that’s where you can find some of the best savings!

Here at The Chocolate Cup, that’s not foreign to us and we would like to extend some great specials for those booking during January! We have a few great dates available so if you are getting married, having a birthday party, or just having a small get together with friends, let us know how we can help add a special touch to your event.

Talk to us here The Chocolate cup and let us know how we can make your January event a big hit!

Wishing you all a happy and healthy new year! Cheers to 2014!


- The Chocolate Cup Team

Autumn is my favorite time of year by far! Not only because I get to make more espresso, but the weather gets cooler, the leaves start changing color, and my sweaters and jackets make their way back into the closet. But one of my most favorite things about fall is the Pumpkin Spice Latte. (Espresso, of course!) So you might be asking, “A coffee drink is one of your favorite things about fall”? And to that I say, “Yes, it is”. And as an avid coffee drinker and experienced barista, it still stands as one of my favorite espresso drink flavors of all time.

Here at The Chocolate Cup, we strive to make sure we offer all the fall favorites, including the pumpkin spice latte. While only offered as a custom option, it is readily available as a menu option from September through March. In my opinion, the Pumpkin Spice latte signifies the start of fall, so I highly recommend this espresso drink as an add-in to your espresso bar service.

So, what goes into a pumpkin spice latte and why is it so great? In combination to a trademark latte, which is simply freshly steamed milk, a shot of our organic fair trade espresso, and foam, the pumpkin spice flavor comes from a combination of different seasonal spices. Those include nutmeg, ginger, cinnamon, and clove. The combination of those flavors in our syrups emulate the wonderful spice found in the pumpkin.

If you are new to the pumpkin spice latte craze, I encourage you to add it as a custom option to your espresso bar service. It’ll dazzle your guests and certainly add that special touch to your fall and winter event. If pumpkin is not your thing, talk to us about our other fall flavors! Common choices include: gingerbread, eggnog, and peppermint.

While coffee is a wonderful drink for a little extra kick, it may have more health benefits than just keeping you more alert. Here are a few reasons why I think coffee is one of the best drinks around!

It Acts as a Memory Booster

Years of research and testing have proven that memory and reaction times in the brain actually improve for those who consume at least 100 milligrams of coffee. While the effect is only seen to be short term, this is quite a great benefit!

It’s Good for you Heart

Regular coffee drinkers have been studied to find that they actually have a lower risk of heart disease than the lighter or non-coffee drinkers. According to the study though, regular coffee drinkers consume between 2-4 cups per day! That’s a lot of caffeine!

Helps Prevent Certain Cancers

Researchers have linked lower cancer rates for liver, colon, breast, and prostate cancers to those who regular drink 4 or more cups of coffee per day. It was found that coffee has demonstrated to have anicacinogenic properties and can also help reduce tumor inflammation. Now that’s a pretty good benefit if you ask me!

Curbs Depression

Depression may not be cured by coffee, but it certainly can be suppressed. Several independent studies suggested that coffee consumption seemed to have an inverse effect on levels of a person’s depressive thoughts. Coffee drinkers have a 20% less likely chance of being depressed. This is proof in my book that this drink is powerful!

Full of Antioxidants

Coffee beans are considered a super food in the anti-oxidant world. With more anti-oxidant activity than cocoa and green tea, coffee has proven itself to be a big power player in fighting many health problems. It can help alleviate stress, help with metabolism, and fight inflammation. Coffee truly is a miracle drink!

So, for all you coffee connoisseurs out there, whenever you go for that next cup of coffee know that you are not only drinking a delicious, hot, wonderful beverage, but you are also contributing to an overall healthy lifestyle.

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The holiday season is upon us and party planners everywhere are shoring up their plans for their big holiday fiestas! But, how do you make a statement at your own holiday party? Try something new, different, and exciting! Try having an espresso bar at your holiday party. Not only are espresso bars unique, but they are always a hit with guests. I can’t tell you how many times guests at our events comment on how wonderful the espresso bar was, and how they can’t wait to have us out again.

Espresso Bars are the perfect touch to any cold weather event because the aroma of the coffee, the warmth of the glass in your guest’s hands, and the splendid taste of freshly made espresso will be sure to delight any who partake. Guests will be able to create their own specialty coffee drink and it’s made to order on the spot. Don’t worry, if you don’t like coffee, we do hot chocolate too!

If you are interested in having an espresso bar at your upcoming fall or winter event, give us a call! We will make sure to add that warm special touch perfect for the holiday season. Be sure to talk to us about our holiday specials and custom menus!

Espresso Bars are becoming a more popular beverage option for events in Austin, TX, especially for weddings and special events. Many brides and party planners I speak to frequently want an eye popping display, something never seen before. Many times, Espresso Bar companies will bring a standard table and table linen, but leave out all the uniqueness and pizzazz! That's no fun, and not very exciting either!

Here at the Chocolate Cup, we listened to what they market called for, and made a goal to create a one of a kind Espresso Bar that makes a true statement for our clients.  We've developed a beautiful, custom beverage station for your guests to order their freshly made espresso.  Not only is it unique, but it can be tailored to your own personal event!

The display comes in white tufted leather (as shown below), black tufted leather, or the option of a sleek polymer design if you're wanting a more modern look. 

There are many companies offering espresso catering, but what you will find is that they don't offer the premium look you're wanting. The Chocolate Cup is here to add that special touch to your event, and truly dazzle your guests.

Fore more information, contact us at info@thechocolatecup.com or visit our services page!

Many event organizers, event caterers in Austin, and brides already have a pretty set in stone plan about whether they want their event and set-up to take place inside or outdoors. But, if you’re having an outdoor event in Austin, many times things like the weather can have their own agenda and may dampen a beautiful set- up. Below are some ways to make the best decisions for your special day. 

Austin Weather vs. Your Caterer
If you are planning an event months or even a year in advance, take note of the weather patterns here in the Austin area. Consistent hot or cold temperatures can have effects on many things when it comes down to event day, especially food and beverage choices. If your Austin caterer is bringing warm food or drinks such as an espresso bar for your event, it may not be a good idea to have the set up take place outside if it’s been 90 degrees the previous two months. Cold temperatures may also be hard to work with if you have booked a gelato bar, shaved ice, and outdoor bar, or milkshake station as your guests could get cold and possibly not partake in your provided amenities.  Consider the weather when you are booking your caterer and arrange for shade or heaters where necessary if you are certain you want an outdoor party.

Space Requirements
When you are shopping venues, take note of the overall square footage and have a base line idea of how you want your event set up. Having a small indoor venue could make the difference in what vendors you book at your wedding. If you don’t have much space to work with, consider venues with an indoor/outdoor option to allow variety of scenery and environment for your guests. Think about your guest count and vendor selection as factors as well. If you need something specific like a dance floor, things like that will narrow your selection greatly, especially with outdoor venues. So make sure to take all variables into account.

Décor and Your Budget

I paired décor and budget together for a reason. When you have an outdoor venue additional décor is not always needed. Being outside allows you to enjoy the splendor of lush trees, greenery, and nature. And with a small budget, this can be a perfect compromise.  If you decide to host your event inside, consider that you will probably want additional décor to spice up your venue and add a special touch that you would otherwise get by being outdoors.

There is no right or wrong answer to where you should hold your special event in Austin. Always make sure to go with your gut while considering all event details in the process. Pairing the right space, décor, and caterer for your indoor or outdoor Austin event is important in making sure your affair runs perfectly.

If you are looking for a little variety for your event in Austin, you should consider mini doughnuts. Not only are these round pieces of dough delicious and a local fan favorite, but they will also be very unique to your event!

The Chocolate Cup offers these delectable treats hot, fresh, and made-to-order for all kinds of events. They are perfect for weddings, outdoor events, and corporate parties just to name a few. Catered mini doughnuts are becoming more and more popular these days for events, so don’t miss out and book yours today!

And don’t forget to request your favorite toppings! The Chocolate Cup offers powdered sugar, cinnamon sugar, chocolate syrup, and fruit based syrups. If you’re feeling creative, talk to us about your ideas and we can customized your topping list.

The Chocolate Cup offers chocolate fountain rentals and service to the greater Austin area. We love doing chocolate fountains because we feel they are so visually appealing and a true eye catching center piece to any event. In our work, when a client wants to have a chocolate fountain at their event, they commonly have a hard time deciding on the right kinds of food dippers, especially when they have so many other decisions to make for their party!

Here at The Chocolate Cup, we make the decision easy by offering some of the most common dippers for chocolate fountains, which include fresh or dried fruit, cake pieces, pretzel rods, biscotti, cookies, or marshmallows. But if you let your imagination soar, there are plenty of other great dipping foods that you could try that would really delight and excite your guests! Here are some unique dipping foods that you could try for your own event:

1.       Graham Crackers
2.       Brownie Pieces
3.       Potato Chips
4.       Nuts
5.       Peanut Brittle

Having a chocolate fountain at your event is a great way to stand out and make an impression with your guests. Spice it up even more by experimenting with some distintive dipping items!

Book your fountain today at thechocolatecup.com!

Do you know how to make the perfect Cappuccino? What does Macchiato stand for? These are some common questions for the novice espresso connoisseur. Check out some of the most common espresso menu items below! You may learn a thing or two about your favorite coffee drink!

The Chocolate Cup caters all of these drinks and many more, including several flavor variations! Our catered espresso bar menu offers great tastes like a white chocolate café’ mocha,  caramel latte, or mocha cappuccino. Our seasonal drinks are also a favorite for our clients with flavorings like pumpkin spice, toffee, and peppermint. Fall is soon upon us! Which is most popular time to start scheduling 

Why is espresso catering so popular lately? Espresso is a wonderful drink, full of body and life, and is fresh and delicious to all who partake in it. But, it didn't always use to be so accessible to those who enjoy it, and it was viewed as a rare treat for people hundreds of years ago.

Where did Term Espresso Come From?

 The term espresso simply stands for “coffee made to order” which was coined back before espresso machines were even invented.  What makes espresso so unique is that it comes from the freshest coffee beans and is ground just before brewing. That’s why espresso drinks are typically more potent with coffee flavor than let’s say, a store bought coffee mix.

How Did Espresso Become So Popular?

Back in the day, all coffee brewed through the use of traditional coffee pots. The problem was people did not want to wait 30 minutes for a cup of coffee to be brewed before they headed out to work. Therefore, espresso machines were created. These machines allow the coffee to be ground and prepared within seconds. This creates a quick and even more delicious coffee drink than regular brew. This wonderful convenience then created a huge influx of coffee houses and espresso bars around the world.

Making Espresso Mobile

Many people think that their local coffee house is the only way to get a fresh espresso drink, made to order. But they’re in luck! The inventiveness of espresso machines these days with their automation, portability, and efficiency allow espresso to be offered on more of a mobile basis. Many businesses are now treating their employees with fresh made espresso right at their work place. Brides are having an espresso station set up at their reception. Birthday parties are now booking for espresso bars to provide fresh brewed coffee for their guests.  It’s  become a novelty to have expert baristas come and provide the freshest coffee for people’s events. Make your event stand out by having your very own espresso station provided by The Chocolate Cup!

Greetings Austin! We are so happy start blogging for The Chocolate Cup! We feel it is so important to connect with our customers and keep you informed with new exciting things with the company, provide you with innovative recipes, and updates in the industry!

Since the opening of the business back in 2004, several new and exciting things have taken place. Over the last 3 years, The Chocolate Cup has evolved into more than just an espresso bar for events. Our product service offerings have evolved to include some of the most unique novelty desserts in Austin. These newer services include specialty mini donuts, milkshakes, Hawaiian shaved ice, and more. We are so excited about these new services, and pride ourselves in our unique and premium product offerings for our guests’ events in Austin and surrounding areas.

The biggest and craziest change to The Chocolate Cup this year was the transfer of company ownership!  In July of 2013, the Chocolate Cup changed hands. The previous owner did wonderful things with the company and thought it was a perfect fit for us. We look forward to improving the company even more, and strive to be the best espresso and dessert caterer in Austin! With over 12 years of combined restaurant and catering service, we will make sure that your event, big or small, is provided with an experience your guests will rave about.

Exciting things are happening here at The Chocolate Cup. Stay tuned for more!