Earl Grey Adaptogen Hot Chocolate (Vegan)
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A rich and creamy homemade vegan hot chocolate recipe. Dark chocolate paired with citrus notes of earl grey tea and a sprinkle of an herbal adaptogen powder for that extra ooey-gooey feeling. You HAVE to try this recipe!
Well, we got about 2 feet of snow this week in NYC and that means one thing is certain: hot chocolate. Hot chocolate is certain.
I can’t imagine a big snowstorm without a steaming mug of hot chocolate in my hands.
Growing up my hippie mama always made hot chocolate homemade. I didn’t even know it existed in a package until I was in college. Homemade is the only way to go if you want that thick, rich, and creamy chocolate elixir.
Let’s make some hot chocolate!
INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE THIS RECIPE
Detailed measurements and ingredients can be found within the recipe card at the end of this post.
- Earl Grey Tea – Yes, this is the start of my homemade hot chocolate. I know it may sound odd but trust me when I tell you this will be the best hot chocolate you will ever have.
- Oat Milk – You can use any plant-based milk that you like, but I find oat milk to be the creamiest.
- Cocoa Powder – The simple start of all good hot chocolate.
- Dark Chocolate – I used an 85% dark chocolate bar, you can use any chocolate bar you like, chocolate chips will also (mostly) work. Chips tend to be harder to melt sometimes than a chocolate bar that has been finely chopped.
- Coconut Palm Sugar – My sweetener of choice, but you can sub in honey, maple syrup, or can sugar.
- Tulsi Powder – Tulsi, also known as Holy Basil, is an adaptogenic herb. See below for more info.
TOOLS YOU WILL USE
- Small pot
- Whisk
HOW TO MAKE HOMEMADE HOT CHOCOLATE:
Honestly, it’s pretty darn easy.
- You’ll need a small pot (I just bought this “milk pot” for hot chocolate and LOVE it!), set the pot over medium-low heat
- Add to the pot 1 1/2 cups strong earl grey tea. I used Pique tea crystals, 3 “sticks” to 1.5 cups boiling water or use 2-3 earl grey tea bags.
- Stir into the tea cocoa powder and coconut palm sugar until no lumps remain. Add oat milk and finely chopped dark chocolate.
- Finish with a sprinkle of Tulsi powder (optional)
- Top with marshmallows or whipped cream and shaved chocolate (all optional)
NUTRITION NERD CORNER ? TELL ME MORE ABOUT ADAPTOGENS!
Adaptogens are a really cool class of herbal medicine that essentially help the body handle stress more efficiently, or help your body adapt.
Adaptogens normalize or regulate the adrenal response system and improve our reserve or resilience. This class of herbs is able to respond to your internal environment and help to balance what is needed.
I taught about a dozen workshops on adaptogens last year and loved sharing how potent and powerful these herbs can be to help you better handle everyday stress.
HOLY BASIL – TULSI – The good for everything adaptogen
Last week I took an excellent herbal class with Kendra from The Herbal Scoop Tulsi was one of the herbs we worked with to create an immune-supportive tea. Kendra shared that you can basically have an entire herbal practice and use only one herb, tulsi, It is known as the “good for everything” herb. If it’s good for everything it’s good for me!
I find tulsi to have a very relaxing calming effect on my mood and nervous system, it also has a sweet mellow flavor and pairs perfectly with chocolate.
DIETARY MODIFICATIONS FOR THIS RECIPE:
This recipe is naturally gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan. For a keto/paleo adaptation replace the oat milk with coconut milk and use less coconut palm sugar.
For similar tasty dishes, check out my healthy Christmas recipes and healthy chocolate dessert recipes roundups!
I can’t wait for you to try this Homemade Hot Chocolate Recipe! When you make it, snap a photo and tag me on Instagram @abrapappa or use the hashtag #abraskitchen so I can feature your photo!
If you’ve tried this recipe, don’t forget to rate and leave a comment below. I love to hear from people who’ve made my recipes!
Earl Grey Adaptogen Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups STRONG earl grey tea
- 2 cups oat milk
- 3 tbsp coconut palm sugar
- 1 tbsp cocoa powder
- 3 ounces dark chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp ground tulsi powder
Instructions
- Add tea to a small pot, whisk in cocoa powder and coconut palm sugar until no lumps remain.
- Add oat milk and bring to a simmer, add chopped dark chocolate and stir until all chocolate has melted.
- Add tulsi and whisk to combine.
- Serve hot with marshmallows
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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Meet Abra Pappa, MS, CNS, LDN
Abra is a licensed nutritionist, seasoned home cook, and forever flavor-chaser. She’s spent more than two decades exploring the connection between food and health—and just as long obsessing over what makes something truly delicious. Abra’s Kitchen is where those two loves meet, with recipes that celebrate vegetables, follow the seasons, and make you excited to cook.
May I ask what contributes to the high carb value in this recipe?
I would use Lakanto sweetner & Almond milk & lily’s sugar free choc chips when I try it. Please let me know if these are suitable substitutes 🙂 It looks SOOO good!
Hi Brenda,
Good question! Nutrition data is an estimate, I use an online nutrition calculator and it is definitely imperfect. For some reason, this recipe imparticular seems to be off. With that said, oat milk will definitely contribute to the carbohydrates, as does the coconut palm sugar, and the chocolate. I think your subs will bring the carbohydrates down significantly.
Oh my goodness, this is sooooo delicious. Perfectly creamy and just the right amount of richness. One of my biggest pet peeves is watery hot chocolate.