How to Make Healthy Homemade Hot Cocoa Mix that's GOOD for You
NOTE: Get ready for the MOST amazing and delicious homemade hot, spicy cocoa mix recipe you’ve ever had. You get to determine the spices, but this recipe will not disappoint. AND, it’s a much healthier version of hot chocolate you won’t find in the stores.
I LOVE chocolate....especially dark chocolate. And I love hot chocolate on a cold winter day. I love it on a warm day! I love it anytime and anywhere.
But with Fall looming on the horizon, I can just hardly wait to start enjoying my hot cocoa drinks! For a long time, I stopped drinking my beloved hot cocoa because it's so full of sugar, and the kinds in the grocery stores are full of chemicals and garbage--toxins.
So what's a girl to do about that hot chocolate craving?
Make it yourself!
I am not much one for lots of sugar. But I have been craving chocolate like crazy! Did you know you can make your own mix quickly and easily using cacao powder, a bit of sugar or monkfruit, and if you want….spices?
Well, here is my healthy version of herbal hot cocoa mix you’ll love! If you want it plain, just leave out the spices.
My version of hot chocolate mix combines ginger, cinnamon, cayenne, and nutmeg along with Dutch-processed cocoa. The herbs have healing qualities, help with circulation, and more, while the 100% cocoa is full of healthy anti-oxidants!
Although I did have to use some sugar, this hot chocolate mix contains far less than the typical version and recipes I've seen. And it's still delicious!
**Making your own spice blends like you could do with the spices in this recipe or in this Detoxifying Herbal Spice Blend for more savory cooking is a way to not only save money, but to provide your family’s bodies with extra health and nutrition.
NOTE: You may also enjoy this article on Cacao (Theobroma cacao) with more on the science, uses, and benefits of this amazing herb!
FTC Disclosure: There are affiliate links scattered throughout this article, and if you click through and make any kind of purchase, I may earn a very small commission at no extra cost to you.
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How to Make Homemade Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
Remember, if you struggle with guilt over having tasty things, you won't have to do that with this delicious and healthy recipe for herbal hot chocolate! Cacao (cocoa) that is over 70% organic cacao is incredibly healthy for you. The herbs are health powers for your body. And this cocoa recipe is actually low in sugar! So no worries at all.
About the Herbs in This Cocoa Blend:
Besides the fact that cocoa (over 70%) supports the heart and cardiovascular system, the brain and cognitive health, the digestive system, and is high in anti-oxidants which means it helps scavenge devastating free radicals from the body….did you know you can power this amazing herb up even more by adding healthy spices? Here are the ones I’ve added to my special hot cocoa mix recipe:
Cinnamon:
Cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar levels, is warming, and gives your circulation a little boost. Plus, it’s plain old delicious! Most people love cinnamon!
Cayenne:
I love my Cayenne pepper! Cayenne is extremely good for your system, as it improves the circulation and stimulates the digestion. Cayenne also may boost the metabolism!
Ginger:
Ginger is warming and stimulating, and is wonderful for helping with inflammation. I love it because it is so tasty!
NOTE: As you know, cayenne is HOT. If you are sensitive or don’t like super spicy foods or drinks, you can leave it out. Also recommend to reduce or leave out for children.
Ingredients for Spiced Hot Chocolate Mix
*** 2 cups Organic Sugar (I think you could actually get away with 1 1/2 cups--at least I can)
*** 2 cups raw, organic cacao powder
*** 1/2 tablespoon Sea Salt
*** 2 teaspoons Cinnamon
*** 1 teaspoon Cayenne (you can use less if you don't like hot spices)
*** 1/2 to 1 teaspoon Ginger powder
Optional spices: ground anise, ground clove, ground turmeric, etc.
The above ingredients are for the mix. You'll also need milk or a good milk substitute like unsweetened almond milk (my favorite).
NOTE: The above links are to Amazon. But mostly I buy all my medicinal and culinary herbs in bulk from Starwest Botanicals. You can get great prices on fresh and organic quality herbs there!
Directions to Create Your Herbal Hot Chocolate Mix
Mix everything all up together. I found I had to mix for awhile and use a large spoon to be sure all the sugar was mixed in really well. I didn't want huge clumps of any ingredient to ruin a good cup of cocoa!
Store your mix in an airtight container, like a Mason jar. You can even put this mix into smaller 8 ounce jelly jars for wonderful, thoughtful gifts your friends and family will just love!!
Mix and mix and mix SUPER well, because you don't want clumps of any one spice in your cup. You'll want it blended so all the spices are perfect together.
To Make a Cup of Spiced Hot Chocolate:
For one 8 ounce cup of milk, use 2 tablespoons of the cocoa mix---give or take to taste.
If you have a microwave oven, you could use one to heat the milk, if you like. Then add the cocoa and stir well.
However, I do not have a microwave oven, so what I did was pour my milk into a small sauce pan and heat gently until just barely starting to simmer. You don't want to burn it---so don't get it into a full boil. I added the cocoa directly to the sauce pan and stirred while the almond milk was heating.
You can use regular milk, a milk substitute, or if you’re a cream lover, you can add some of this too!
Pour into a cup and enjoy!
You can add whipped cream, marshmallows, or any other additions for extra deliciousness!
Click the link for more information on Healing Harvest Homestead’s School of Botanical Arts & Sciences popular online courses and herbal community!
Final Thoughts on Spiced Hot Chocolate
It feels SO wonderful to enjoy hot chocolate again, only in a much healthier way! Being on a health plan, I have to be very careful about what kinds of foods and drinks I can use. I love this handmade cocoa mix!
You can easily adjust this hot chocolate recipe to fit your own needs and the needs of your family too! I think next time I make it, I'll decrease the sugar by half and add honey if I need it to the final cup. That will lessen the sugar even more. Win!
NOTE: Since I created this hot cocoa blend last year, I have edged into a more keto lifestyle, which is very low carb. If you want to adjust this even further so it is even more low carb than it is now, just add Monk Fruit or Erythritol in place of the sugar. Bye-Bye, carbs! :-)
Do you make your own hot chocolate? What are your favorite flavors? Leave a comment because I love your ideas!
Also, you may enjoy these related articles:
How to Make a Healthy Pumpkin Spice Latte (with REAL Pumpkin!)
How to Make Beet Kvass (And What IS It Anyway?)
How to Make Easy Fermented Berry Soda
How to Make Ginger Beet Kvass—-A Healthy Drink
The Super Healing Powers of Kitchen Spices! 14 Spices that Double for Home Remedies and Health
and there’s loads more on the blog!
Hugs, Health, and a Simple Life,
Heidi
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So So good on a cold day!
Mmmm. Spiced hot cocoa mix: That's what you need to warm you up on a chilly day! And if it's still warm out? Well, then you can ice it, too. Find out how to make this healthy and easy hot chocolate blend mix with my recipe using herbs and spices. You'll make this over and over! #hotchocolate #chocolate #chocolatedrink #healthydrink #healthy #spicy #cocoa #drink #mix #blend #chocolaterecipe #recipe #fall #falldrink #hotdrink
Disclaimer: I’m not a medical doctor, and no opinion or information I share is meant or implied to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease or illness. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA.