Spicy Fireside Hot Cocoa

When I was in college I had a full blown hot chocolate obsession. I would walk the cold grey streets of Providence, RI and rattle off the top of my head the pros and cons of the milky hot beverage offered from various coffee shops throughout the city. I knew who steamed their milk, used cocoa powder vs chocolate syrup, and who, worst of all, simply dumped a packet of powder into hot water and passed me the cup with one of those useless wooden stir straws.

Spicy Hot Cocoa

As my taste buds have evolved, I still love a good cup of cocoa, but I don't want it too sweet, and I crave spice in addition to sweet. I have started to use dates to sweeten many of my beverages over other sweeteners such as honey, agave, or maple syrup. I find dates offer a nice balance of sweetness and earthiness that leaves me smiling on the inside and without the residual cotton candy mouth of an overly sweetened beverage.

Ingredients (serving for 1):

  • Milk of choice, 8-10 oz (I've been using unsweetened vanilla almond milk)

  • date, 1 chopped

  • raw cocoa powder, 1 heaping tsp

  • cinnamon and cayenne, dash

Directions:

Pour milk into your favorite sipping mug. Chop date and add to mug along with the cocoa and spices. Microwave for 2-3 min or until hot, but not boiling. Microwaving the date helps it blend with the milk! Pour contents of mug into Vitamix (or other blending apparatus) and blend until date is integrated into liquid. Pour back into favorite sipping mug and enjoy:)

There are so many ways to make a delicious steaming hot mug of cocoa, this is simply what I've been doing recently. If you give it a try, let me know how you like it and if you add any of your own touches!

NutritionRebekah Rottenbergnutrition, hot chocolate, hot cocoaComment