Hot Cocoa is the perfect Christmas treat in my opinion. It brings me back to my childhood and puts me in a festive mood while I’m wrapping presents (or watching It’s a Wonderful Life for the 50th time.)

This year I decided to put an eco-friendly twist on an old classic by making a vegan hot chocolate version (no animal products used.) It was even better than the original!

Plus, sometimes it’s just soothing to make something from “scratch” and not use a prepackaged food.

Tasty Vegan Hot Cocoa Recipe:

Ingredients (serves 1)

• 1 cup  almond or soy milk (I prefer vanilla soy, but any variation works)
• 3 tsp unsweetened organic cocoa powder
•  1 tbsp agave or 1 tbsp organic sugar
• 2 tbsp water
•  Soywhip (optional)
• Vegan dark chocolate chips (optional)

Vegan Hot Cocoa – Directions:

1. Heat milk on the stove at low-medium heat while stirring. Bring to simmer/lightly boiling. (Don’t leave on too long – or the milk will “burn”.)
2. Heat water in separate pot on stove (or tea kettle) or pop in  the microwave for 1.5 – 2 minutes.
3. Stir cocoa powder and agave or sugar into water to dissolve
4. Combine mixture with soy milk
5. Top with soywhip –  it’s just like whip cream but even creamier! and/or chocolate chips

Want to make it “Irish”? Just add 2 tbsp of kahlua.

Enjoy!

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Beth is a Health and Wellness expert who believes sustainability goes hand-in-hand with self care. She’s the girl whipping up kombucha cocktails at parties, and extolling the benefits of canning vegetables to anyone who will listen. View all posts by Beth Funari