When I was a kid hot cocoa was mine and my little brother's favorite ‘after snow play’ warmer-upper. My mom would make us steaming cups of Swiss-Miss with mini marshmallows. By the time I had kids I’d learned to make delicious healthy alternatives with real dark chocolate powder, almond, coconut, or organic cow’s milk, and well – one year we even found organic mini-marshmallows.
Now I prefer more grown-up versions of hot cocoa that bring together my love of healing herbs with the delicious flavor of dark chocolate for something that’s not just healing for the soul, but also supports the body with great health.
Meet Reishi Hot Cocoa! I think you’ll love it! And hint hint – this is AMAZING iced in hot weather!
Chocolate is undoubtedly a pleasure-causing food for most of us. It also relieves depression, reduces blood pressure, and women who eat a couple of ounces of dark chocolate each day are less likely to be overweight. Pretty great, isn't it!
Medicinal mushrooms are powerful adaptogens, helping us to cope with stress, adapt and maintain resilience in stressful times, improving energy and focus, and so important for the winter months – supporting healthy immune response, preventing colds, upper respiratory infections, and even preventing cold sores and EBV from recurring.
Reishi is one of my favorite adaptogens, because it's also deeply calming for the nervous system. It's also safe and gentle – you can even enjoy a cup here and there during pregnancy (though not intended for regular consumption).
Reishi Powered Adaptogen Hot Cocoa
- 2 cups organic milk you can use organic whole milk, cashew, almond milk, or coconut milk – make sure these are carrageenan and filler free – I prefer to use organic whole milk or organic light coconut milk from a can
- 4 tbsp organic dark chocolate cocoa powder I prefer sweetened for hot cocoa, but you can use unsweetened
- 2 tbsp 72% dark or xocolatl chili hot chocolate powder if you like it spicy, or 6 TBS of the plain dark chocolate powder
- 1-3 tsp Reishi Mushroom powder – try it the first time with the 2 tsp and if you love it you can try more the next time)
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 pinch of sea salt
- 1 tbsp shaved dark chocolate
- Whisk together the coconut or almond milk, hot chocolate powders, and reishi powder (or you can mix in a blender, instead)
- Heat in a saucepan on low-medium heat until just about to simmer.
- While heating, place a cinnamon stick into each mug.
- Pour the hot cocoa over the cinnamon sticks and sprinkle shaved chocolate on top. (note this is an amazing iced beverage, too – so just pour it over some in a glass for a nice cool refresher).