Peppermint Hot Chaga-Latte

I don't know about you but these chilly mornings and evenings have got me craving some classic hot cocoa! I decided to get super creative with this recipe, making it not only satisfying for my taste buds, but nourishing to my body as well! This one is vegan and sugar-free, but still rich and creamy. I used some super herbs to boost the health, turning this into a health tonic to keep us going all winter long!

The Herbs

Cacao Powder
Well we have all heard about this fantastic superfood, but do we really know what all the rage is about? Let me share, the cacao bean (technically a nut) has been used for centuries upon centuries stemming back to the Mayans. Chocolate is the highest source of antioxidants known in a plant on our earth, not only that, it is one of the highest natural sources of minerals such as iron, magnesium, manganese, chromium, phosphorus, zinc, and copper; all of these minerals are great for a well-nourished body! It is also one of the greatest foods for our hearts and our longevity. Pretttty awesome for all those chocoholics out there, huh?

Chaga Mushroom
As king of the mushroom empire, Chaga is an extremely healing and useful medicinal mushroom. It has been historically used for all types of ailments, specifically for digestive ones. It is known to support a healthy gut, clear out any intestinal worms, support the liver and heart, reduce stomach disease, and provide enormous amounts of antioxidants. And let's not forget how tasty it is, rich and slightly sweet, making a perfect addition to coffees and hot chocolates alike!

Peppermint Leaf
This is one of my favorite herbs, it is so dang tasty, it is cooling and it is FANTASTIC for digestion! Peppermint is one of our best herbs for abdominal bloating, gas and nausea. It also just really screams "Happy holidays" to me, so I thought it would be wonderful in this recipe.

Stevia Leaf
This sweet herb is the perfect gift from mother nature, it is a naturally sweet leaf. It has been used for hundreds of years in South America for  all kinds of health issues, specifically for gum disease and diabetes (funny because regular sugar can cause these problems!). This nutrient-packed leaf contains glycosides, which are the reason it is so sweet, but at the same time provides no calories! According to research, our bodies do not metabolize glycosides; aka our bodies do not digest stevia as a sugar. Another awesome perk of this leaf is that it is full of inulin, a natural prebiotic that enhances the good bacteria in our gut! Can I get a woot woooot for stevia?

Peppermint Hot Chaga-Latte Recipe

Yield: 20 oz            Time: 40 minutes

Here is what you'll need

• 4 oz chaga decoction

• 16 oz unsweetened almond milk peppermint stevia infusion

• 1/4 cup cacao powder

• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Here is what you'll do

Chaga Decoction
Take 8 oz water and 1 tbsp of chaga in a heavy bottom pot. Bring the water to a boil, then turn the heat down to low and continue to simmer the mixture for 30 minutes or until it has gone down by about half. Once the time has passed and it has finished steeping, strain the chaga from the water (use a strainer, cheesecloth, or anything on hand) and press all the water out of the used chaga that you can. Discard (compost) the used mushroom and you've got a lovely chaga decoction! This can be done at the same time as the Almond Milk Peppermint Stevia Infusion!

Almond Milk Peppermint Stevia Infusion
Bring 16 oz of unsweetened almond milk to a boil then turn off instantly. Add 2 tbsp of peppermint and 1 tsp stevia leaf to the pot, place cover on top and let this steep for 30 minutes. This can be done at the same time as the chaga decoction. Once the time is up, strain away the herbs, put the infusion back into the pot.

Mix It Up
At this point, we can add the chaga decoction to the almond milk peppermint stevia infusion. Then add vanilla extract and sift in the cocoa powder. Whisk mix until thoroughly blended and there is a nice layer of foamy cocoa on top. Pour this mix into your favorite oversized mug, grab a nice book, a cozy blanket and curl up by the fire!

I hope you all enjoy this delicious and nourishing hot chaga-late! Please let me know what you think in the comments!

Sending BIG love,

Joey