Holistic Spiced Hot Cocoa Recipe

Last winter I was visiting a girlfriend in Chicago and we stopped by a chocolate bar to warm up with a delicious cup of hot cocoa. I asked the server “What do you recommend?” He preceded to tell me about this hot cup of cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper. “Cayenne Pepper?” I asked. For real? He went on to tell me that cayenne pepper really compliments cocoa and to trust the chef, he is excellent at putting together flavors that compliment one another. So I did just that, I trusted the chef and ordered my hot cocoa with a hint of cayenne pepper. WOW is all I can say! This was the best cup of hot cocoa I had ever tasted… for real!! I had to duplicate this!

So I set out to do just that but make it just a bit healthier. I hope you enjoy my creation (with a little inspiration from the chef who could blend some pretty amazing flavors together)! So get out your favorite mug and snuggle up to a nice fire and enjoy this wonderful cup of hot cocoa!

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup water
• 1/3 cup fresh or canned coconut milk (full fat), shake well if using canned.
• 1 1/4 oz 85% Dark Chocolate (if you don’t have dark chocolate you can use 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, you might have to add a little more honey)
• 2 tsp raw honey
• 1/8 tsp unrefined sea salt
• dash of cayenne pepper (this really compliments the cocoa)

Directions

1. In a small saucepan over low heat, pour in coconut milk and dark chocolate.
2. Whisk together until smooth.
3. Add water, honey, and salt and stir until well heated (but not boiled).
4. Sprinkle with a dash of cayenne pepper and serve hot.

Serving Size: Makes 1 cup, Serving size is 1 cup