I am a sucker for festive drinks, but not so much a fan of the extra sugar, calories and price tag. Hello, 400 calorie Starbucks hot chocolate! And don't even get me started on the unhealthy additives in the packaged stuff!
Ingredients: Sugar, Corn Syrup, Modified Whey, Cocoa (Processed With Alkali), Hydrogenated Coconut Oil, Nonfat Milk, Calcium Carbonate, Less Than 2% Of: Salt, Dipotassium Phosphate, Mono- and Diglycerides, Carrageenan, Acesulfame Potassium, Sucralose, Artificial Flavor.Contains: Milk.
What doesn't say "Happy Holidays" like artificial flavor. Yum! If you are like me, you prefer things simple, yet tasty, which usually means less ingredients yielding a natural, rich flavor. The hot chocolate I make requires just two dairy free and vegan friendly ingredients (for the base) and takes just minutes to prepare. I like to use unsweetened, or for 50 more calories and a little more sugar, sweetened almond milk, and 100% cacao. That's.It. The almond milk packs in the calcium and the dark chocolate is loaded with antioxidants making this the perfect, guilt free afternoon indulgence. I just helped myself to a round after some chilly, outdoor Christmas shopping!
Try some of the fun additives below to make it your own.......
1/4 cup miniature marshmallow (40 calories)
1 Candy Cane crushed or whole (60calories)
2 Tbsp Light Whipped Cream (15 calories)
Chili powder (0)
Espresso powder (0)
Stevia (0)
Drink up and Stay warm!