Who doesn’t love to curl up with a cosy mug of hot chocolate on a cold, rainy night? Unfortunately, as delicious as conventional hot chocolate might taste with its creamy milk and extra sugar, it can leave a nasty after effect – namely blood sugar spike and digestive upset.
Enter this luscious Ayurvedic hot chocolate recipe! This healthier version is perfect to whisk up after a long day at work or when you’ve got a quite moment to yourself during the kids nap time.
Using raw cacao and just a touch of maple syrup, the ingredients in this recipe are far superior to the processed counterparts you find on supermarket shelves. Avoiding dairy and opting for a nut milk can also reduce unwanted congestion and bloating that can come with regular dairy milk.
This Ayurvedic hot chocolate is prepared with a blend of spices that are traditionally used in Ayurveda to support strong digestion (agni). You can enjoy this warming sweet treat on a chilly day knowing your tummy likes it as much as your taste buds!
Ayurveda Perspective on Hot Chocolate
This Ayurvedic hot chocolate is a wonderful option for both Vata and Kapha types, particularly on a cold winter’s night when you just can’t seem to warm up! Kapha types will benefit from using honey as a sweetener instead of maple syrup. For an extra fiery kick, add a pinch of cayenne pepper too!
Cacao is classed as ‘heating’ and ‘stimulating’ in Ayurveda, so it can be a touch too much for Pitta types. However, the nut milk and maple help keep this recipe balanced. For Pitta types, I suggest sticking just with cardamom as a digestive spice and you may enjoy blending in a tsp of ghee or coconut oil too!
Here’s What You Need
- Plant milk (almond, cashew or oat milk all work)
- Cacao powder
- Maple syrup
- Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom)
- Pinch mineral salt
If You Love This Ayurvedic Hot Chocolate, Try These Recipes Too!
- Ayurvedic Chocolate Milk with Hazelnuts
- Ayurvedic Chocolate Salted Smoothie
- The Best Rooibos Latte
- Homemade London Fog
Are You Going to Make Ayurvedic Hot Chocolate?
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Ayurvedic Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups oat milk (or almond, cashew etc)
- 2 tsp cacao powder
- 2 tsp maple syrup
- 1/4 tsp cinnamon
- 1/8 tsp cardamom
- 1/8 tsp nutmeg
- 1 pinch mineral salt (optional)
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a small sauce pan except for the maple syrup
- Heat gently while whisking to remove any lumps
- Serve when hot, stir in the maple syrup and then curl up on the couch!
Notes
- You can use any nut milk of your choice. I prefer oat milk for this recipe but cashew gives it the creamiest consistency
- If you want to supercharge your hot chocolate and make it super creamy and a little frothy, blend in a tsp of ghee and coconut oil (perfect for Vata and Pitta types)
- If you have a milk frother, it’s really nice to take a little oat milk and froth for the top!
- Add a fiery kick with a dash of cayenne pepper (perfect for Kapha types)
OMG, that was a lovely, warm and tastfull cup of yum.
Thank you.
I’m so glad to hear you liked it Ginevra! Perfect for this time of year.
I’m conditioned as a Westerner to crave the extra super sweetness of typical hot chocolate however, I gave it a try and I really enjoyed the healthy version! Thank you Rebecca!!
Hi Rachel! I totally understand – it can take your tastebuds a while to adjust to more natural foods, but I’m delighted to hear you’ve been enjoying this one so far!
I saw this on Pinterest and came to the site. Saw the recipe book, did the quiz (I’m Vata!) and read a bunch of posts about Ayurveda, went back and bought the recipe book and I’m hooked! I’ve been having new tummy trouble and was just talking to my co-worker about needing to clean up my act. Rebecca, your blog post found me minutes after this conversation, because of course it did! We get what we need right when we need it when we are open and receptive. I’m spot-on Vata, and I appreciate all the work you’ve put into this to help people. As someone who has been on the “back end” of a website and program, I see the care and knowledge you’ve bestowed to your readers. I’m so excited to start this journey. Thank you for that.
Nanette, I’m am so grateful to read this comment and to hear how my posts/quiz/recipe book have helped you so far. And you are right – Ayurveda truly does come into your life just when you need it most. I’m so happy to be able to play a small part in your journey 🙏🏻 Rebecca x
This is so awesome! I love the flavor of the cocoa not hidden by a bunch of sweetness. I added a little bit more cinnamon, because I love cinnamon 😊
I also really love the process of making it on the stove and the smell filling my house.
Thank you!
Hi Jenni! So glad to hear you enjoyed this recipe, and great idea adding some extra cinnamon! Perfect for this time of year. Thank you so much for taking the time to share ❤️
So delicious! This is a make again and again healthy comfort recipe!
Delighted to hear you’re enjoying it! Definitely one to keep coming back too! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment ✨ Rebecca
This was so delicious! Such a great way to start a cold winter day. This is my new hot chocolate!
Yay! So happy to hear you have a new favourite on your hands 🎉 so perfect on these cold winter days too 💛
Awesome
So glad you’re enjoying this recipe Rosamma! Thank you for taking the time to comment ❤️
Doesn’t heating cacao powder kill off all the supposed goodness on the raw cacao powder?
Hi Jeremy! I recommend gently warming the cacao in this recipe – don’t bring it to a boil. It needs to be warm enough to melt of course, but not scalding hot. Heating of any kind can reduce the antioxidant properties of food, but preparing it in this way can help minimise the effects. I hope that helps! And thank you for taking the time to stop by and ask a great question 🙏🏼