I actually do drink hot chocolate year round. Hello, Chocolaterunsjudy! It definitely hits the spot even more when it’s colder out. Some like it hot, what can I say?

Fairytales and Fitness

What makes hot chocolate a recovery drink?
Protein, of course! I get mine from Vital Proteins, which you can buy on Amazon here (Amazon Affiliate link). I use a variety of healthier hot chocolate mixes, rather than making it from scratch.

I use home made almond or chocolate cashew milk. On running days I throw in some extra chocolate chips because you can never have enough chocolate in your life — at least I think so.

• Scoop of Vital Proteins in my mug
• Scoop of hot chocolate mix in a small dish mixed with water — and sweetener, if needed
• Some chocolate chips in a glass measuring cup
• 2/3 milk cup of your choice milk in that same measuring cup
• Microwave the milk in the measuring cup on the beverage setting
• Pour the hot chocolate mix into the hot milk; add sweetener if desired; stir to combine
• Pour the hot chocolate over the Vital Proteins in your mug and stir to dissolve — enjoy!

I sometimes like to make Mexican hot chocolate by adding some cinnamon and just a tiny pinch of chili powder.

Healthy hot chocolate mixes I use
If you use a coca mix, just take a look at the sugar content. It can really add up! Chocolate on its own is bitter so it needs some type of sweetener. I prefer to use a mix with minimal or no sugar, and just add some honey.

Don’t heat the hot chocolate with the honey, add it afterwards — it’s actually not a great idea to cook with honey, something I learned in the last few years. See this link here for more information. You can heat maple syrup, though.

Here are some of the hot chocolate mixes I use:

• Elements Truffle Ashwaganda Dark Hot Chocolate Mix. You can buy it here. Although this mix does have coconut sugar in it, I still add a little bit of honey to it. The ingredients are fantastic.
• Pukka Herbal Maca Chocolate Latte. Buy it here (Amazon Affiliate Link). Another great list of ingredients! Yes, I add a little honey to this one too.
• Golde. You can buy it here. It took me a while to warm up to this one (get what I did there?). The ingredients are fantastic in this mix too, but I needed to add honey to enjoy this mix.
• Matcha Bliss by Amoda. You can buy it here (Amazon Affiliate Link). Matcha + Chocolate? Yes, please! Yes, this one also needs a little honey. Unless you’re really hard core.
• Earth Echo Cacao Bliss. This is the mix I use most days. I add some home made turmeric paste to it, and then I find I don’t need to add any sweetener. That’s me, though. Even though it’s sweetened with Monk Fruit, I need a little more sweetness. I have tried it with Earth Golden Superfood Bliss, too — I love the tasted of the Golden milk and that doesn’t need extra sweetener for me. Yes, this is unfortunately very expensive — but then again, I never go to Starbucks. it’s far less than those Starbucks drinks! You can buy it here or on Amazon, but it’s more expensive on Amazon.

Final thoughts: I think healthy hot chocolate + collagen makes a perfect recovery drink when it’s colder, although I’m happy to drink this first thing in the morning whether or not I’m running! I have actually posted a mini review of Earth Echo’s Cacao Bliss on my YouTube channel; you can find it here.

Because it’s so pricey, and people pretty much love it (yes!) or hate it, I’d suggest trying the single serving packets first, if you’re curious. I wouldn’t want you to waste money on something you don’t like. I am not kidding when I say that I drink this pretty much on the daily, though!

Can you tolerate cold recovery drinks after cold runs?

Do you have a favorite hot chocolate mix?

Can you live without Starbucks (or Dunkin, if that’s your thing)?