Let’s set the scene: It’s a cold winter day. It’s below freezing and snowing outside. You’re looking for a way to warm up. DING! You’ve got it. You’ll make a nice creamy cup of hot cocoa. GENIUS! Nothing is more soothing than holding a warm mug filled with hot chocolate while snuggled up on the couch reading a book (or watching a movie if that’s more your thing). Talk about being cozy! 

You know what’s not so cozy? The ingredients in most hot cocoa mixes. Most hot chocolates are filled with refined sugars and other unnecessary additives often found in ultra-processed foods. We’ve probably all enjoyed a cup of traditional Swiss Miss at least once, but have you ever looked at the ingredients?

If you’ve been following my refined sugar-free journey on Facebook, you may have seen my post about how the average American consumes 500 calories or 34 teaspoons of sugar daily (1). Although sugar isn’t the cause of diabetes (as most think), it is the cause of genetic damage, which is linked to the onset of age-related diseases like diabetes (2,3,4). After all, our DNA is made from sugar, so it makes sense that too much can lead to genotoxicity. If you missed the post, check it out here. 

Many think they’re making a healthier choice by opting for sugar-free alternatives. Unfortunately, some artificial sweeteners like sucralose (the sweetener in Splenda), aspartame, and erythritol have also been linked to DNA damage (5,6,7). Not to mention risks of gastrointestinal issues, headaches, taste changes, cardiovascular risk, metabolic syndrome, and even type 2 diabetes mellitus (7). 

Even the dairy-free hot cocoa mix has some gnarly ingredients. For more label-reading breakdowns, including Swiss Miss’ no sugar added variety, join our Facebook group, The Holistic Hipppie Community.

So, what is a healthy choice?

That’s where my functional hot cocoa mix comes in. Functional, as in functional food, meaning the ingredients serve a purpose beyond nutrients, such as providing health benefits. That’s right, it’s a genuinely healthy hot chocolate. And since hot cocoa is the beverage of choice starting as early as fall, there’s no better time to support your body. Think about it: autumn is when the immune system starts working overdrive to fight off all the germs. So, let’s encourage it with a functional hot chocolate that ditches the immunity-hindering refined sugar and replaces it with natural, uncultivated sweeteners and other ingredients that promote wellness, like:

• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) has antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It may promote heart and brain health and even help lower blood sugar levels. 
• Marshmallow root (Althaea officinalis) has antioxidant, diuretic, and gut-healing properties. It may also aid digestion, promote heart health, and relieve coughs, colds, and pain. 

Of course, if making homemade hot cocoa mix isn’t quite your thing, there is one brand I have tried and enjoyed – The Brother’s Apothecary Chocodelic Trip, which contains ten medicinal mushrooms and CBD. They also offer Spiced Cacao and Peppermint Chocolate Treat, both containing CBD. However, I have not tried them yet. Another option is Real Mushrooms Organic Hot Chocolate Mix with, you guessed it, mushrooms (five of them, to be exact). Again, I have not tried this brand, but the ingredients and reviews are good. 

Now, for the moment you’ve been waiting, I present my functional hot cocoa mix. It makes ___ cups of deliciously creamy hot cocoa packed with nutrients and health benefits your body will thank you for. This recipe is free from dairy, gluten, grains, nuts, soy, and refined sugar. It can be made with or without coconut, is vegan-friendly, and is whole-food plant-based compliant, making it ideal for most.

You will need: 

• 1 cup coconut sugar, sucanat, or other unrefined sugar alternative
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I use Saco Conscious Kitchen or Anthony’s Organic Cocoa Powder)
• 2 tbsp. protein or coconut milk powder (I use Garden of Life Raw Organic Vanilla Protein)
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon (I use Anthony’s Ceylon Cinnamon)
• 2 tsp. marshmallow root powder (I use Starwest Botanicals Marshmallow Root Powder)

Step 1: Combine Hot Cocoa Mix

Add all the ingredients to an airtight jar or container (I used a mason jar), cover, and shake until well combined. That’s it, it’s really that simple! 

Step 2: Make Hot Cocoa & EnjoyWhen you’re ready to enjoy a cup of functional hot cocoa, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of the mix to 8 ounces of warm milk and enjoy. I use a heaping tablespoon of mix, add a splash of vanilla (or peppermint extract, depending on my mood), and some honey (or maple syrup). On high-stress days, when I need a little extra relaxation, I use The Brother’s Apothecary Delta-8 Wildflower Honey. If you’d like to add a candy cane free from harmful food coloring, I use mini candy canes from YumEarth. To increase functionality, add a tablespoon of coconut oil (this helps improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins).e functionality, add a tablespoon of coconut oil (this helps improve the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins).

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Functional Hot Cocoa Mix

A quick and easy functional hot cocoa mix that swaps traditional ingredients for ones that promote overall wellness. Fill your mug with a warm, cozy beverage your body will thank you for, whether winter or fall. This 5-minute recipe is free from coconut, dairy, gluten, grains, nuts, soy, and refined sugar. It is vegan-friendly and whole-food plant-based compliant, making it ideal for most.

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time0 minutes mins

Servings 25 tablespoons

Recipe by: Sarena-Rae Santos (The Holistic Hipppie)

Ingredients

1x2x3x

• 1 cup coconut sugar, sucanat, or other unrefined sugar alternative
• 1/3 cup cocoa powder (I use Saco Conscious Kitchen or Anthony’s Organic Cocoa Powder)
• 2 tbsp. protein or coconut milk powder (I use Garden of Life Raw Organic Vanilla Protein)
• 2 tsp. ground cinnamon (I use Anthony’s Ceylon Cinnamon)
• 2 tsp. marshmallow root powder (I use Starwest Botanicals Marshmallow Root Powder)

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Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to an airtight jar or container (I used a mason jar), cover, and shake until well combined.
• When you’re ready to enjoy a cup of functional hot cocoa, simply add 1-2 tablespoons of the mix to 8 ounces of warm milk and enjoy with a splash of vanilla or peppermint extract. That's it, it's really that simple!

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