From the Hot Hot, Hot Chocolate dance in the Polar Express to the ancient Aztecs and Mayans, who created this cozy concoction, it’s a marshmallow world in the winter and not quite Christmas without a quaint cup of hot chocolate. Celebrate with us as we take a sip of the season.
Loews Nashville Hotel is sharing the season with its second annual Hot Chocolate Affair, running now through March 2026. Loews Nashville Hotel at Vanderbilt Plaza is Nashville’s premier luxury hotel. The event is hosted in the hotel’s restaurant, Mason’s, and the Hot Chocolate Affair is bringing friends and family together as they enjoy a scrumptious teacup overflowing with this classic indulgence.
The event started in a whimsical way. It’s Loews’ twist on afternoon tea. The experience is replicated but with velvety, luscious, hot chocolate in an ornate teapot instead of classic tea, a novel way to drink the beverage. And this novel idea “blossomed” into a favorite holiday outing for many, said Jereme Pozin, Director of Food and Beverages at Loews Nashville.
Upon arriving at the hotel, attenders can make use of the complimentary valet and enter into a Christmas-decked plaza. Tables set with white tablecloths usher in the revelers as they are seated and attended. The serenade of the piano player, performing Christmas classics and modern tunes in classical format, plays on.
The visitors are treated to their fancy of hot chocolate, which is served by waiters and poured to the brim. The types of hot chocolate flavors change with the season. During the fall, the options were pumpkin and white chocolate. For winter, the selections are dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and peppermint. The hot chocolates come with decadent chocolate shavings, pillowy marshmallows, whipped cream, and chocolate-dipped spoons —all the necessities. With the hot chocolate, you are given a three-tier stand filled with cakes, pastries, and tarts by Pastry Chef Anne Jaskoski.
The first tier offers pastries, including chocolate and plain croissants made in-house, as well as sugar plum scones. The second tier has cheesecake tarts, pecan pie tarts, peppermint dark chocolate tarts, and six different kinds of macarons: almond, chocolate, espresso, raspberry, and more. Chocolate-dipped pretzels, perfect for dunking, are arranged to be devoured. The third tier presents chocolate-covered strawberries and three different types of layered cakes: lemon raspberry, opera, and strawberry, a vegan option. There is a gluten-free tower available, and everything is vegetarian. A savory bite rounds out the experience with candied bacon jam, Boursin cheese, brioche, and fragrant pine syrup.
Espresso martinis are another popular treat. Three varieties: the chocolate hazelnut-vodka with Frangelico and fresh chocolate, the bourbon Caramel pecan-with whiskey from Nelson Brothers, and a seasonal gingerbread espresso martini made with tequila. The espressos are in partnership with Frothy Monkey, a homegrown coffee shop.
The Hot Chocolate Affair is every Saturday and Sunday, with select Friday dates. Seating times available are: 12 p.m., 12:15 p.m., 1:45 p.m., and 2 p.m.
Nashville is an exciting and vibrant place to spend the holidays. “Nashville embodies the spirit of what Christmas is all about,” said Pozin. He hopes that the memories his guests make will last a lifetime.
The Hot Chocolate Affair can serve up to 100 people a day, and thousands who attend every year from various places across the United States. Book a reservation on Resy.com for a charming escapade before or after a bustling day of yuletide shopping.
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“Nashville embodies the spirit of what Christmas is all about,” said Pozin.