The Best Ever Hot Chocolate Recipe

Last week we talked about healthy vs. unhealthy chocolate. Today I will share with you my best ever hot chocolate recipe.

Drinking a chocolate beverage or hot chocolate loaded with refined sugar (it is usually listed as the first ingredient on the ingredient label which means it is the largest amount) and which contains added milk solids, whole milk, or cream is not as healthy as a beverage made from pure cocoa powder without any kind of dairy product or added cream, the way it was drunk when first introduced to Europe’s nobilities. If you like your milk hot chocolate but still want to take advantage of its health benefits, substitute dairy milk or cream with almond, hemp, rice or soy milk to ensure you are getting the highest amount of healthy antioxidants into your body.

So, if you should not drink that commercial dredge called hot cocoa mix, what should you or your kids drink? The qualities you are looking for are high pure cocoa content; avoid processed milk and keep it low in sugar. For one cup of good-for-you steaming hot cocoa, use a cup of alternative milk, pure cocoa powder (raw and organic, if you can find it), or a good quality natural cocoa powder. Do not use Dutch-processed; cocoa’s beneficial flavanols will be destroyed by the alkalizing process used to reduce its acidity; add raw cane sugar or honey to taste. Personally, I add 1/4 teaspoon good quality instant espresso for extra kick – not for the kids – to make it a mocha drink. Here’s my own recipe:

Alain’s Best Hot Chocolate Recipe

• 1 cup of raw milk or organic regular milk or better yet, if you’re allergic to milk, use almond milk, coconut milk, rice milk, hemp or hazelnut milk.
• 1 rounded teaspoon raw cocoa powder or natural cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon raw or turbinado sugar, local honey or organic agave nectar to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon instant espresso (optional)
• A few drops of vanilla extract

While the milk is heating up, add cocoa, (coffee), and sweetener to the cup. When the milk comes to a boil, blend it directly in the cup with a plunging or stick blender to make it foamy.

Another way is to add all your ingredients directly in the pan and whisk them well with a hand whisk until light and foamy. Enjoy the flavor and the health qualities of your new home made hot cocoa and call me in the morning.

Continue reading about the healthy substances found in raw cocoa and organic dark chocolate…

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Best Hot Chocolate Recipe