Nourishing Spiced Hot Cocoa

On chilly mornings and evenings, there’s nothing like a cup of this nourishing spiced hot cocoa to warm you up. This less-traditional version boasts subtle spices to kick the warmth up a notch. 

All the hot cocoas.

As a chocolate-lover, there is almost nothing as delicious as drinking your favorite flavor. Snuggling up with a blanket, a good book, and a cup of nourishing hot cocoa is the perfect end to any day (or start to any day). Of course, down here in the south I kinda have to pass on the blanket part usually, but it’s a nice thought.

Hot cocoa, though. I am always up for a mugful! Thick, creamy, nourishing, decadent… not too sweet. These are all my ideas of a perfect cup of hot cocoa.

Nourish spiced hot cocoa.

This delicious and perfectly spiced hot cocoa is a simple twist on my perfect homemade hot cocoa. Sweetened with honey, and spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves, it provides a little extra nourishment and warmth to an age-old treat.

Cinnamon has unique healing abilities because of the essential oils found in it. It is a powerful anti-bacterial with antioxidant properties that protect cells from oxidative stress and free radicals.

Ginger is one of the most amazing anti-inflammatory foods there is! It’s so capable of healing inflammation that it rivals NSAIDs. The compound gingerol in ginger also helps to lower the risk of infections.

Nutmeg is also a good anti-inflammatory spice, and is good for insomnia, digestion, and heart health.

Cloves are a good source of many vitamins and minerals, too, but since you don’t usually use a lot of cloves in a dish it’s hard to get the nutrients they provide. 😉

More nourishing add-ins.

Along with the these healthy spices, I love to add in collagen powder to boost the nutritional value of this spiced hot cocoa (along with pretty much any hot drink or smoothie). Collage is important for healthy skin, hair, nails. It also supports your joints, and improves gut function and digestion.

And of course, I pretty much only sweeten anything with honey. It’s natural and packed with vitamins and minerals like niacin, thiamine, pantothenic acid, riboflavin, vitamin C & B6, calcium, and iron, to name just a few. Honey also has large amounts of gut-friendly bacteria and it’s also anti-fungal, and probiotic!

Healthy comforting drinks.

If you’re still on the lookout for more delicious and healthy comforting drinks, here are a few of my favorites. They’re all nourishing, paleo and GAPS-friendly, with a few keto options, as well. And they’re all a total hit with my family.

• Cinnamon Yerba Mate Latte
• Almond Orange Hot Cocoa
• Anti-Inflammatory Golden Milk
• Chocolate Chamomile Moon Milk
• Dark Chocolate Eggnog
• Buttered Chai Hot Chocolate
• Honey-Sweetened Horchata
• Cinnamon Hot Cocoa
• Peppermint White Hot Chocolate
• Perfect Homemade Hot Chocolate
• Cinnamon Ginger Latte
• Pumpkin Chai Latte
• Homemade Apple Cider
• Hot Carob
• Golden Milk Hot Cocoa
• Gingerbread Spiced Mocha Latte
• Herbal Pumpkin Mocha

I know, I know. That’s a long list of drinks there. But what can I say, other than ‘I super love drinking things?’ ‘Cause I do.

In the recipe card I’ve linked to some of the products from my affiliate partners that I like to use. Purchasing through these links won’t cost you anything extra. Thanks!