• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • About
  • Shop

The Worktop logo

  • Make Ahead
  • On The Go
  • Quick and Easy Brunches
  • Eggs
  • Pancakes
  • All Recipes
Home / Seasonal / Christmas Morning Breakfast Recipes / Mint Hot Cacao (Vegan, GF)

December 24, 2016

Mint Hot Cacao (Vegan, GF)

Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. See my Disclosure Policy for more information.

Get a superfood boost with this Mint Hot Cacao! Made with the nutrient-rich cacao powder, a few drops of refreshing peppermint oil, almond milk and coconut palm sugar.

Mint Hot Cacao | The Worktop

Making hot chocolate is a regular occurrence in our household, especially during these colder winter months and through the holidays. And what better way to enjoy a Christmas movie than to curl up with a cup of hot chocolate?

But here’s the thing – I think of myself as holding a hot chocolate, but there are so many ways to make that warm chocolately cup of comfort, and the real question is, is it actually a hot chocolate, a hot cocoa or a hot cacao?

Mint Hot Cacao | The Worktop

You may think of them all as one and the same, and so did I, but when I went to name this recipe, I realized that I needed to be specific, lest one of you is thrown for a loop by a haphazardly titled recipe.

Simply described, hot chocolate is made by melting chocolate and adding milk, cream or water. Hot cocoa is made by combining cocoa powder or cacao powder, depending on which recipe you follow, and sugar with milk, cream or water.

Since I wanted to make it clear that this recipe is made with the nutrient-rich superfood cacao powder, and not the more common cocoa powder, this hot minty chocolatey drink quickly took on the uncreative name: Mint Hot Cacao.

Mint Hot Cacao | The Worktop

Cacao used to intimidate me because unlike the common cocoa on all supermarket shelves, cacao powder is available in more selective stores and it is more expensive. But I realized that it was silly for me to be intimidated since cacao and cocoa both originate from the same bean.

The main difference is cacao is the minimally processed form of cocoa, and thus retains more nutrients, making it rich in antioxidants, iron, magnesium, potassium and zinc.

If you don’t have cacao on hand, or aren’t ready to make the jump over, you can substitute cocoa for the cacao in this recipe, but for the most health benefits, it’s best to use cacao.

Mint Hot Cacao | The Worktop

Some would also call peppermint a superfood, but I love peppermint because it calms my mind, which is something I definitely need during the hectic holiday season!

When making this recipe, keep in mind that peppermint essential oil is very strong – if you’ve never used it before, start with just one drop. Sometimes the drops come out fast from the bottle, so do it over a spoon, rather than directly in the pan.

That way, if more than one drop drips out of the bottle, you aren’t stuck with a pot of Mint Hot Cacao that is too zingy for your tastebuds.

Mint Hot Cacao Recipe - Vegan | The Worktop

I hope you enjoy your holidays, and you’re able to curl up with a mug of this Mint Hot Cacao.

I crushed some candy canes and sprinkled it onto these for a festive touch, but they sank right down to the bottom (though it does make a nice little surprise at the end!); in retrospect, a candy cane as a stirrer would probably do the trick!

Mint Hot Cacao | The Worktop

Mint Hot Cacao (Vegan, GF)

5 from 4 votes
Print Recipe
Serves: 2 large mugs
Prep: 1 min
Cook: 5 mins
Total: 5 mins
Get a superfood boost with this Mint Hot Cacao! Made with the nutrient-rich cacao powder, a few drops of refreshing peppermint oil, almond milk and coconut palm sugar.

Ingredients

  • 2 3/4 cups almond milk (24 ounces / 680 milliliters)
  • 3 heaping tablespoons cacao powder
  • 3 tablespoons coconut palm sugar (or to taste)
  • 2-4 drops peppermint essential oil
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 pinch sea salt
  • marshmallows (for topping, optional)
  • candy canes (for topping, optional)

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan over medium heat, heat the almond milk until warmed. Whisk in the cacao powder, coconut palm sugar, 2 drops of the peppermint essential oil, vanilla extract, and sea salt.
  • Taste and add in more peppermint essential oil or coconut palm sugar as desired.
  • Serve warm, with or without a handful of marshmallows and a candy cane topper.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Mint Hot Cacao
Special Diet: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
Author: The Worktop
Cal : 118kcal
Note: Nutrition information is a rough estimate.
Tried this recipe?If you loved making this recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give this recipe a star review! I’d love to see it too – snap a picture of your finished dish and share it with me on Instagram using #theworktop and tagging me @theworktop.

By Tina Jui
Last updated: September 22, 2018
Filed Under: Breakfast and Brunch Recipes, Christmas Morning Breakfast Recipes, Collections, Cooking Style, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Juices and Drinks, Kid Friendly, Lifestyle, No Egg, Quick and Easy Breakfasts, Seasonal, Stove Top, Vegan, Vegetarian, Winter Breakfast RecipesTags: almond milk, chocolate, mint, vanilla

About Tina Jui

A breakfast lover and food blogger. Tina develops everyday breakfast recipes on The Worktop, and writes about all things related to breakfast and brunch. Originally from California, she now lives in London. Read more about Tina Jui or drop an email to say hi.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Lisa says

    November 1, 2019 at 12:08 am

    5 stars
    I made this recipe using unsweetened vanilla coconut milk. My teen and I loved it! Thank you for sharing the recipe. It will make our falls/winters a tad sweeter. : )

    Reply
    • Tina Jui says

      November 1, 2019 at 10:16 pm

      Thank you for the comment and I’m so glad to hear you enjoy the recipe!

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Nice to Meet You

I’m Tina and I share my everyday breakfast recipes here. Find easy breakfasts and brunch recipes for the family. Meet me over coffee.

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Most Popular Recipes

Glazed Donuts Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat

Original Glazed Donuts (Krispy Kreme Recipe Copycat)

Easy Toddler Muffin Recipes | The Worktop

Toddler Muffins (Easy Muffin Recipe for Kids)

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole - Easy Recipe | The Worktop

Sausage and Egg Breakfast Casserole

Instant Pot Congee Chicken Rice Recipe | The Worktop

Instant Pot Congee – Chicken and Rice

Footer

Thanks for Stopping by

I’m Tina and I share my everyday breakfast recipes here. Find easy breakfasts and brunch recipes for the family. Meet me over coffee.

stay connected

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Quick and Easy Breakfasts

Chia Seeds for Toddlers - A Healthy Breakfast Recipe | The Worktop
Apple and Endive Salad that is perfect for the fall | The Worktop
Honeyed Grapefruit Salad with Pink Peppercorns | The Worktop
Cinnamon Brown Sugar Popovers | The Worktop
New Years Breakfast Champagne Parfait | The Worktop
Breakfast Cereal Cookies for a grab 'n go treat | The Worktop

Keep looking for recipes

As featured on

The Worktop Featured On Banner

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2021