Best Anti Inflammatory Hot Chocolate Recipe

You might have tried hot chocolate or any other turmeric milk drink. In this post, I will give you the best anti-inflammatory hot chocolate recipe.

I won’t be just about turmeric with black pepper, which is also one of the best anti-inflammatory drinks. 

But I will also discuss others, including how you can make it with cacao powder and other ingredients for different flavors and tastes.

And I will discuss only those ingredients that are anti-inflammatory, science-backed, and amazing in taste.

So, my blog post is not about just “golden milk” or other trending anti-inflammatory drinks.

It’s going to be beyond that. Read this post to learn about the best anti-inflammatory drink recipe.

 

Why This Hot Chocolate Recipe Actually Works

I don’t know what type of anti Inflammatory hot chocolate or drinks you would have tried in the past.

But I have tried many other drinks, and a few of them were too bitter or too spicy.

However, this is not the case with this anti-inflammatory hot chocolate. 

It tastes like one of my favorite rich, thick, and chocolatey mugs. 

And I feel like if I give this drink to someone who hasn’t tried any drink like that, they won’t judge that it’s actually an inflammatory or kinda herbal drink.

Besides this, this hot chocolate includes ingredients that are science-backed and proven in studies to help reduce inflammation, lower oxidative stress, and support gut health. 

When I say this is the best, I want to say you can drink it at night, morning, and make a big batch for your whole family. It’s perfect for everybody at any time.

Also read: Sugar Free Hot Chocolate Recipe with Cocoa Powder

Ingredients (With Purpose, Not Just Hype)

Here are all the ingredients that you will need to make this best anti-inflammatory hot chocolate recipe.

Besides this, I will also give you some ingredient substitutes, so you can use them too in case you don’t have the original one (the one that I’m mentioning first):

Raw Cacao Powder – 1.5 tbsp

Not cocoa powder, but cacao — raw cacao powder is the real one you will need. 

It’s too processed, richer in antioxidants, and high in magnesium; it will give the most natural bitter-dark-chocolate feel. 

Multiple studies have proven that cacao helps in reducing inflammation, improving vascular function, and promoting better brain health.

Ground Turmeric – ½ tsp

Turmeric is a classic anti-inflammatory spice because it contains curcumin, which is an active compound. 

And this active compound (Curcumin) is fat-soluble and needs a little pepper to absorb well. 

It will also bring warm, earthy notes to this hot chocolate drink.

Freshly Ground Black Pepper – Just a pinch

I know this may sound odd to you, but if you add just a pinch, it will boost curcumin absorption by 2000%. 

You won’t taste it much, but your body will thank you.

Ground Ceylon Cinnamon – ¼ to ½ tsp

Cinnamon isn’t just for flavor — Ceylon cinnamon (not Cassia).

It is proven in many studies that it reduces inflammation, especially in people with metabolic issues. (Source: 10 Evidence-Based Health Benefits of Cinnamon – Healthline.com)

It will blend easily with cacao and give you cozy, bakery warmth.

Ground Ginger – ¼ tsp

In many cultures, and most importantly, in science-backed studies, ginger is a proven spice that has digestion-boosting and anti-inflammatory benefits.

But adding it to the hot chocolate will cut the chocolate’s richness. So, your drink will be fresh yet grounding.

Ashwagandha Powder (Optional) – ¼ tsp

If you want to add a calming adaptogen, ashwagandha would be perfect for that. 

It won’t mess with flavor much; instead, it will help in reducing cortisol levels and support sleep. (Source: Ashwagandha: Is it helpful for stress, anxiety, or sleep?)

Collagen Peptides (Optional but Smart) – 1 scoop

Unflavored collagen peptides will dissolve into your hot drinks and support joint, skin, and gut health. They are inflammation-linked.

Plant-Based or Dairy Milk – 1 to 1.5 cups

You can use any milk that you like, for example, almond, oat, coconut, or dairy, just pick what is good for your body. 

If you’re anti-inflammatory focused, you should avoid sugary almond milks or low-quality dairy.

Coconut Oil or Ghee – ½ tsp

You will need to add healthy data, because they will help you with nutrient absorption, especially curcumin, which you will get from turmeric. 

Ghee will make it buttery and richer, and coconut oil will give tropical warmth. So, you can use any.

Raw Honey or Maple Syrup – 1 to 2 tsp

You won’t need a lot, but a little raw honey or good maple syrup will balance the cacao bitterness and make this treat-worthy.

 

How to Make This Anti Inflammatory Hot Chocolate (Step-by-Step)

You have to make this healthy hot chocolate on a stove top, not in the microwave. Here is my step-by-step process you need to follow:

Step 1: In a small saucepan, you want to add your favorite milk along with raw cacao powder, turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, pepper, and coconut oil (or ghee).

Step 2: Start warming it and keep whisking it slowly over low-medium heat (don’t let it boil). You just want to let everything melt and infuse. The color will get deeper, and the scent will become everything.

Step 3: If you’re using ashwagandha or collagen, you can stir that in now too; they will dissolve best in warm liquid.

Step 4: Once it’s hot and steamy, remove from heat and taste — if it feels too bold, you can add a little more milk.

Step 5: Finally, you can make it sweet, you can add raw honey or maple syrup at the end (not while heating, especially honey). Stir. Sip. Melt.

Also read: White Chocolate Peppermint Protein Shake Recipe 

Flavor Notes & What You’ll Feel in First Sip

Unlike other hot chocolate recipes, you won’t feel that it is too bitter or too sweet. 

When you start drinking, firstly, you would feel the taste of cacao, which would be kind of bold and earthy.

And then you will get turmeric’s ground vibe.

After that, you will taste cinnamon, which will give you nostalgia for the bakery. And then in the end, ginger.

When you complete the sip, you will feel like your body is getting calmed down and warm inside.

 

Want to Customize? Here Are Smart, Backed-by-Science Add-ins

If you plan to drink this best and anti Inflammatory hot chocolate every day, then you don’t need to try the same version. 

Here is what you can do for different flavors by customizing some ingredients:

Maca Powder – for mood, energy, and hormone balance

It will add a malty flavor and works well too with cacao. 

You can add it, especially when you want to drink in the morning.

Cardamom – for gut support

Just a tiny pinch will balance ginger and cinnamon, and it will also give you subtle Middle Eastern feels.

Reishi Mushroom Powder – for immune and stress

It will taste a little earthy, but it will blend well if you’re used to it. Add it with cacao for deep calm.

Beetroot Powder – for anti-inflammatory + nitric oxide boost

It will give your drink a beautiful color and help with blood flow and energy.

Chaga Powder – for immunity

It works well with cacao in flavor, and gives the drink a deep mushroomy finish (if that’s your thing).

Also read: Mango And Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipe

Pro Tips to Make It Even Better

If you want a perfect hot chocolate inflammatory drink, you need to remember and follow these things:

• Use a milk frother or blender at the end to make it café-level smooth, plus you can add a little cream on top, but that’s optional.
• Use a ceramic or glass mug, not steel — it will hold heat better and feel more luxurious.
• You can add a little vanilla extract drop if you want it to taste like melted brownie batter.
• Chill it and blend with ice in summer for an iced version — still, it will be delicious and also anti-inflammatory.

 

When Should You Drink This?

For anti-inflammatory hot chocolate or other drinks, I prefer evenings like the post-dinner or pre-bed time (1 or 2 hours before).

Besides this, if you are skipping coffee or trying, you should drink it in the morning.

It is because this drink is energizing without caffeine, and won’t spike your system.

 

Storage? Can You Make It Ahead?

Yes, you can double or triple the batch of base mix (make a powder of other powders and recipes), and when you want to drink, just add 1 or 2 scoops into milk and drink it any time.

Besides this, you can also refrigerate the hot chocolate and reheat it next time — it still will taste amazing.

 

Conclusion

If you were only using cocoa or just drinking hot chocolate as a cozy treat, now you know the best anti-inflammatory hot chocolate drink to make.

Despite being a wellness drink, it doesn’t taste like that, because it’s tasty.

You can make it with raw cacao + turmeric + black pepper… or get a little creative with cinnamon, ginger, ashwagandha, mushroom blends, or even a pinch of chili.

Plus, this drink can fit into your night routine, post-workout sip. 

So now, grab all the ingredients that you want to add to your drink, and this is the best anti-inflammatory hot chocolate drink recipe.

 

FAQs

Here are a few questions about the best anti-inflammatory hot Chocolate recipe.

Can I make this anti-inflammatory hot chocolate without turmeric?

Yes, you can make this anti-inflammatory hot chocolate without using turmeric, which is the main ingredient if you want an anti-inflammatory element in your drink. 

However, if you even skip that, you will still get benefits from cacao, cinnamon, ginger, and other ingredients.

But turmeric is the main ingredient. If you don’t want that, it’s okay, you are still getting benefits, and it’s still a wellness drink.

What is the best time to drink anti-inflammatory hot chocolate?

Actually, you can drink this at any time of day. But evening and afternoon are my preferred choices.

Because at that time, inflammation flares up because of stress, food, sitting too long, and you also want something comforting.

So in such a case, this drink is perfect.

It becomes even more of a wellness drink if you use adaptogens like ashwagandha or reishi. Besides this, you can also drink it before bed.

Do turmeric and chocolate really go well together?

You might be surprised to know them, but the answer is actually, YES.

Cacao and turmeric taste well together.

Especially if you are making it in my style, and using sweeteners like maple or dates, you can also add vanilla or cinnamon.

Then, I don’t think you are even going to notice turmeric flavor. But you will get benefits.

I drink it a couple of times, but I don’t notice turmeric unless I especially pay attention to it.

Can I Drink It Every Day?

Yes, you can drink this anti-inflammatory hot chocolate every day unless you have any specific problem or allergy with any ingredient that I have mentioned.

Although the ingredients that I have mentioned are natural, like turmeric, pepper, etc.

But you still want to use them in a limited quantity.

For example, just a half or one teaspoon of turmeric is enough for one serving.

One more thing, if you are consuming strong herbs or mushrooms, and you are a woman who is pregnant, then you can talk to the doctor about that.

But in general, this drink is safe to drink every day.