HOMEMADE MEXICAN HOT CHOCOLATE RECIPE

Hot chocolate is the unofficial drink of the season,and, I, for one, am not mad at it. I mean, honestly, if it was up to me, I’d drink a cup a daily from October to March. But then my pants might not fit and that’s a whole other battle I’m just not ready to fight. So let’s just talk about cozy, delicious hot chocolate instead.

Outside of the fact that it’s just so darn good, the reason I love hot chocolate as much as I do is because it’s completely customizable and there are just so many variations (just search “hot chocolate” on Pinterest if you don’t believe me). If you want hot hocolate that is rich and decadent, you got it. If you want something infused with peppermint, there’s that, too. If white chocolate is more your thing, well, don’t worry, there’s a recipe for you. If you want something a little spicy, Mexican Hot Chocolate has your name written all over it. And, if you want something extra calming, there’s even CBD hot chocolate, just for you.

It was, obviously, a no-brainer for “Calm Week” to have a recipe that includes calming CBD oil in its ingredient list. It was even more of a no-brainer to have said recipe be a hot chocolate. Not only is it the drink of the season, but it’s also super easy for anyone to make at anytime and it provides an easy foray into the world of CBD oil because it mixes into the beverage so seamlessly (aka it doesn’t taste weird at all). But, of course, you can also skip the CBD altogether if it’s not your thing.

And, as if we’re not already getting enough benefits with CBD oil, I decided to make this Hot Chocolate recipe a Mexican hot chocolate recipe for the health benefits you reap from cinnamon (like lowering blood sugar levels, another important aspect for calming your body) and chili powder (which does things like boost energy levels and strengthens the immune system, both helpful and needed things this time of year). I even took it another step farther and made it with plant-based milk (however, regular cows milk works well, too). In other words, this recipe has enough health benefits in it to cancel out any guilt you might feel for having an indulgent chocolate drink. In fact, I don’t even feel like it should be categorized as indulgent, because it’s so healthy. It’s just a good ol’ cozy drink that’s good for you. It’s a hot chocolate you can drink every day and not be upset about. It’s a drink that will help you calm your nerves from whatever this hectic, crazy time of year is throwing your way (ahem family, co-workers, work deadlines, present shopping, decorating). It’s cozy, it’s warm, it’s comforting, it’s all the things you need right now and I, for one, am so here for it. I hope you are, too!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup almond milk (you can also use any other plant-based milk or cow’s milk)

• 1 1/2 tablespoons cacao powder

• 1/2 tablespoon maple syrup (or sweetener of choice)

• 1 teaspoon cinnamon

• 1 pinch chili powder

• 1 pinch sea salt flakes

• 1 dropper of CBD oil (optional)

DIRECTIONS

In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together all the ingredients, except for the CBD oil. Cook for 3-5 minutes, or just until the milk is hot. Remove from the heat and stir in the CBD oil, then pour into a mug. Enjoy as is, or add a garnish, such as cinnamon sticks, an extra dash of cinnamon, marshmallows, or, even some coconut whipped cream, and enjoy.