Nothing quite beats a cozy evening in paired with a warm drink in your hands. While there are several drinks of choice, hot chocolate takes the cake for being the coziest drink every time. A simple hot chocolate drink doesn’t exactly make the cut, no, you deserve a drink that matches your high standards. Don’t settle for a quick heating in the microwave this season, but instead, indulge in the most luxurious, beauty-focused cups of hot chocolate you’ll ever drink.
There are, of course, a few ways you can make this rich drink. Both options below gives you a unique, fun way to soothe your soul with hot chocolate all winter long.
Collagen is everywhere in the beauty world right now, and with good reason, too. Collagen gives your body so many beauty benefits, keeping your skin well hydrated and youthful. The most abundant protein in your body, collagen strengthens the skin. This benefits the skin’s elasticity, hydration, and smoothness.
Now, combine these amazing beauty benefits with the amazing taste of hot chocolate. Not that chocolate doesn’t have beauty benefits, too. With this in mind, you’re probably dying to try a collagen hot chocolate at this point.
If you want to get straight to it, Vital Proteins offers a Hot Cocoa Collagen Latte ($45) that gives you 10g of protein, 10g of beef bone broth collagen concentrate, 600mg of ashwagandha root extract, and 50mg of hyaluronic acid. With only 1g of sugar, you can enjoy the treat of hot chocolate while reveling in its beauty benefits. Simply heat your milk of choice, with oat or cashew milk giving you the creamiest cup, then froth in two scoops of the powder. For an added bonus, make a dairy-free whipped cream with sugar substitutes and top with cinnamon and nutmeg. An easy one-and-done, this hot chocolate treat will be your new go-to for every cold night.
If you prefer the homemade cocoa route, this one’s for you. Hot chocolate is a decadent treat, but those ingredients can add up fast to make it a very unhealthy few sips. Thankfully, there are many alternatives to create the perfect, better-for-you cup of hot chocolate. All you’ll need is:
- 1 Cup of dairy-free milk (almond to enhance the chocolate flavor, coconut for creaminess)
- 1+ Tbsp. raw cacao powder (more for a rich flavor)
- 1+ Tbsp. pure maple syrup or agave nectar (more for a sweeter flavor)
- ¼ Tsp. of vanilla extract
- 1 pinch of sea salt or Himalayan pink salt
- 1 Scoop of collagen powder of choice
- Optional: Additional spices or adaptogens such as cinnamon, nutmeg, turmeric, ashwagandha, etc.
Combine the ingredients above in a saucepan on high heat until mixture is smooth. Serve and enjoy! To personalize the hot chocolate even more, pick a flavored collagen powder that pairs well with the chocolate flavor.
A luxurious treat like hot chocolate doesn’t have to be a guilty treat. With these varieties, plus the added beauty bonus, you can find peace in your little cup of cocoa all winter long.
