If you usually make hot chocolate, but haven’t tried it with a twist, then you should make this cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe.
It’s different from the regular one.
When you combine cacao, turmeric, and maca together, your drink will be anti-inflammatory, energizing, and may also help you with hormonal imbalances.
And yet, it won’t be delicious.
You’ll get the rich flavor from cacao, the earthy boldness from turmeric, and a sweet, nutty kick from maca powder.
So, in this post, I will show you exactly how to make this nourishing drink step by step.
I will also give you some of my favorite variations and substitutes so that you can make it vegan, caffeine-sensitive, or even turn it into an iced drink.
What Makes This Hot Chocolate Recipe So Different?
First of all, it’s not a regular instant milk drink.
It’s also not super sugary store-bought hot chocolate, which will taste like cocoa-flavored sugar milk.
This cocoa turmeric maca hot chocolate is deeply comforting, and it is packed with wellness ingredients.
For example, cocoa will give you antioxidants and magnesium, and turmeric is anti-inflammatory, and it also boosts immunity.
And maca is used for hormone support, energy, and mood balancing.
So, this cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate drink is good for your body and also for your brain.
And one more thing is that it is rich, smooth, and chocolatey, which we usually want in our hot chocolate.
Also read: Hazelnut Chocolate Milk Tea Recipe – Creamy & Easy to Make
Main Ingredients You’ll Need (and Why They Matter)
Here are all the important ingredients that you need to make this cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe:
1. Raw Cacao Powder (2 tbsp)
This is similar to cocoa powder, but it is not the same, so don’t be confused here.
Cocoa powder is less processed, and it also contains more antioxidants and has more nutrients.
It has a bold, deep chocolate flavor.
Though you can use any brand, I personally prefer Navitas Organics and Terrasoul; they are great choices.
If you only have unsweetened cocoa powder at home, it’ll work too, but raw cacao is the best here.
2. Plant-Based Milk (2 cups)
You can use any milk; there is no restriction on that.
But I personally recommend oat milk and almond milk for this one.
Oat milk will make your drink more creamy, while almond milk will give a nutty base, but they both pair really well with maca.
If you want full creaminess and don’t mind dairy, you can also go with the whole milk.
If we talk about brands, I recommend you go with Oatly Barista or Califia Almond Milk.
3. Maca Powder (1 tsp)
This is an important ingredient that will make your drink like a tonic.
Maca has a slightly sweet, nutty flavor. And it’s great for your hormone balance, energy, and mood.
But, you wanna make sure you don’t add too much in the beginning—it can be strong if you’re new to it.
So, use it in a limited amount, and maca would be easier to digest.
4. Ground Turmeric (½ tsp)
This golden root is the anti-inflammatory star in our cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate.
It will add a subtle earthiness, color, and some health benefits.
You can use fresh turmeric too, but the powder is more convenient for this wellness drink recipe.
5. Black Pepper (a pinch)
When you’re adding turmeric, you should also add black pepper; even a small amount is a big deal.
But why?
It will activate curcumin in turmeric so your body can absorb all the benefits. Plus, you won’t taste it much, but it’s important.
6. Sweetener of Choice (1–2 tsp)
I recommend you use a natural sweetener like maple syrup or raw honey.
They both can blend really well and balance the earthy flavors.
Besides this, if you’re going for low sugar, you can try stevia or monk fruit too. It totally depends on your taste preference.
7. Coconut Oil or Ghee (1 tsp, optional)
Consider adding a small amount of healthy fat like coconut oil or ghee. They will help you absorb fat-soluble nutrients and also make your drink creamy.
Ghee will give an Ayurvedic richness. You can use coconut oil if you wanna keep your drink vegan.
8. Vanilla Extract (¼ tsp)
You have to use it to round off all the flavors.
Though it’s optional, I like it.
It will also add warmth and softness to your drink.
9. Cinnamon or Ginger (optional)
If you want an extra layer of spice and warmth, then you can add cinnamon or freshly grated ginger.
You can use them both, especially in the winter.
How to Make Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate (Step-by-Step)
Here is my step-by-step process of how I make a cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe for myself. You want to follow the exact process for a smooth, luxurious drink.
Step 1: Warm Your Milk
Firstly, you wanna take 2 or more cups of milk and pour it into a small saucepan, and then start warming it over medium heat.
You don’t wanna boil that milk; you just have to warm it until you see that it has started steaming.
Meanwhile, you should also keep stirring it so that skin doesn’t form on it.
Besides this, if you are using almond or coconut milk, they can heat quickly, so you wanna keep right on that.
Step 2: Whisk in Dry Ingredients
Now add these ingredients:
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- 1 tsp maca powder
- ½ tsp turmeric
- A pinch of black pepper
- If you’re using cinnamon, add that ¼ tsp.
After adding, mix it well and ensure there are no lumps in it.
If your cacao or maca is clumpy, you should sift it before adding.
Note: after adding these ingredients, you still want to keep stirring it continually to dissolve the color and turn it a deep and golden brown.
Step 3: Add Sweetener and Fat
Once you have mixed those ingredients, you can add 1 or 2 tsp of maple syrup or honey (based on your taste).
Also, this is the time when you can add 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee if you’re using it.
It will make your drink creamy and luxurious.
However, after adding sweetener and fat, you will still continue whisking until the mixture becomes smooth and a little glossy.
Step 4: Add Vanilla Extract (and Optional Ginger)
Take your saucepan off the heat.
Then, add ¼ tsp vanilla extract, and if you’re using grated ginger, you can toss it in now.
Stir it again and let it sit for about a minute.
Step 5: Blend or Froth (Optional, But Worth It)
If you have a milk frother, this is the time to use it. And, you have to froth it until your hot chocolate drink becomes airy and café-style.
If you don’t have that, you can pour your drink into a blender and blend for 15 to 20 seconds.
This will make your drink foamy and perfectly smooth.
Btw, I personally prefer frothing or blending this hot chocolate drink when I’m making a cold version.
Step 6: Serve and Sip
Once your Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate is ready, you can pour it into your favorite mug.
And if you want, you can sprinkle a pinch of cinnamon or raw cacao on top.
Besides this, you can also top your hot chocolate with coconut whipped cream, dark chocolate shavings, or even a drizzle of nut butter.
Also read: Easy Hot Chocolate with Cocoa Powder and Almond Milk
Why I Love Drinking This in the Morning (and Sometimes at Night Too)
I personally prefer having it in the morning because it gives me energy and a boost, and that too without caffeine.
Besides this, it is so good in the evening too because it has turmeric in it.
And when I want something warm and cozy, which is not heavy, in such a case, this drink is good.
It is not sugar overloaded, and it is also not stimulants like regular hot chocolate or coffee.
So, I love it because of its benefits, taste, etc.
Variations You Can Try
After trying this cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe once, you will wish to make it again, so you can try some other variation too. Here are some ideas:
Iced Cacao Turmeric Maca Drink
If you are not in the mood to drink something hot and you want cold, you can prepare a mixture, cool it down, and then pour it over ice cubes and blend it.
And after blending, you can top it with cold milk. It will be a perfect summer drink.
Adaptogen Boost
You can add ashwagandha powder (½ tsp), which will make your drink even more calming and healthy.
Your drink will be more of a tonic than just a beverage.
Protein Version
You can add a scoop of chocolate or vanilla plant-based protein powder.
Especially when you want to drink it in the post-workout or as a breakfast replacement.
Superfood Sprinkle
You can add cacao nibs, hemp seeds, or ground flax seeds on top for a little crunch and more nutrients.
Creamy Latte Style
Simply blend in 1 tbsp of soaked cashews or macadamia nuts with the milk before heating.
You will have a creamy, cashew-milk style drink ready.
Also read: Mango And Chocolate Protein Smoothie Recipe
Pairing Ideas: What to Eat with This Hot Chocolate
This cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe is versatile; you can either drink it solo or serve it with something else, and it will taste better in both cases. Here are my suggestions:
For Breakfast:
- Almond butter toast with banana
- Chia pudding with berries
- Oats with cacao nibs and cinnamon
For Midday Energy:
- Date energy balls
- Dark chocolate squares with sea salt
- Roasted almonds or trail mix
For Cozy Night Treat:
- Coconut cookies
- Baked sweet potato chips
- Ginger-spiced granola clusters
These were my suggestions, but you can also try anything else you like.
Storage Tip
If you make a bigger batch, you can store the mix (without milk) in a jar.
Next time, just mix the cacao, turmeric, maca, cinnamon, and black pepper in one container.
Then, when you’re ready, you can just add 1 or 2 tsp of the mix into hot milk, add your favorite sweetener, and it will be ready to drink.
Conclusion
This was my Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate Recipe. It is very simple, tasty, and healthy.
And being a healthy chocolate drink, it’s not like a regular bedtime cocoa drink, you can also drink it in the morning, or replace it with a regular one.
It will support your immune system, brain clarity, and help you reduce stress (because of maca and turmeric), and that too without going overboard on sugar or cream.
FAQs: Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate Recipe
Here are some questions and their answer about the cacao turmeric maca hot chocolate recipe:
Can I skip maca powder in this hot chocolate recipe?
Yes, you can use Maca powder, especially if you don’t like it or don’t want to.
Instead of this, you can use any other adaptogen like Ashwagandha.
However, it won’t taste exactly the same as maca.
Maca will give you a nutty caramel background and energy boosting effect, which other ingredients won’t.
However, you can try it, but I would personally recommend you try cacao if you don’t have any problem with it.
Can I make this Cacao Turmeric Hot Chocolate in advance and store it?
Yes, you can make a small batch like 2 or 3 servings and store it in a glass bottle and keep it in the fridge, and your drink will be okay for the next 2-3 days.
Next time, when you want to drink it, you have to shake it well and then reheat it because turmeric and cacao can settle at the bottom.
So, once you reheat, your hot chocolate will again be ready to drink, or you can also blend it and drink it cold.
If it’s not super cold, you should add a few ice cubes and then blend and drink.
What milk works best for this — dairy or plant-based?
Every type of milk works best with this cacao turmeric hot chocolate.
However, I personally like oat milk, coconut milk, and almond milk because they bring subtle sweetness, which pairs with cacao and turmeric.
If you are going for anti-inflammatory and dairy-free, then plant-based is better.
But if you are okay with the dairy version, you can also go with full-fat milk or even add some extra cream to your drink.
Can I make this hot chocolate sugar-free or diabetic-friendly?
Yes, instead of maple syrup or honey, you should use monk fruit, stevia, drops, or erythritol. And keep the quantity low.
Plus, keep the recipe the same as I have shared, and you will have a sugar-free recipe ready.
Cacao Turmeric Maca Hot Chocolate Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp raw cacao powder
- 2 cups plant-based milk oat milk or almond milk recommended
- 1 tsp maca powder
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- A pinch of black pepper
- 1 –2 tsp maple syrup or raw honey or sweetener of choice
- 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee optional
- ¼ tsp vanilla extract optional
- ¼ tsp cinnamon or freshly grated ginger optional
Instructions
Step 1: Warm Your Milk
- Pour 2 cups of milk into a small saucepan and warm over medium heat until it starts steaming. Stir occasionally so skin doesn't form. If using almond or coconut milk, heat gently as they warm quickly.
Step 2: Whisk in Dry Ingredients
- Add 2 tbsp cacao powder, 1 tsp maca powder, ½ tsp turmeric, a pinch of black pepper, and optionally ¼ tsp cinnamon. Mix well to remove lumps. Sift cacao or maca if clumpy. Stir continuously to form a deep golden brown mixture.
Step 3: Add Sweetener and Fat
- Add 1–2 tsp maple syrup or honey (based on taste), and 1 tsp coconut oil or ghee if using. Whisk until smooth and slightly glossy.
Step 4: Add Vanilla Extract (and Optional Ginger)
- Remove from heat. Stir in ¼ tsp vanilla extract and grated ginger if desired. Let it sit for a minute.
Step 5: Blend or Froth (Optional but Worth It)
- Use a milk frother or blend for 15–20 seconds for a foamy, café-style finish. This is especially nice for a cold version.
Step 6: Serve and Sip
- Pour into your favorite mug. Top with cinnamon, cacao powder, coconut whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of nut butter if desired.
Notes
I’m a self-taught home cook who turns everyday ingredients into comforting, café-style recipes. I test everything in my own kitchen (sometimes more than once), tweak flavors how I like them, and share only what I actually enjoy.
Most of my recipes are chocolate-based or have a creative twist, and I keep them preservative-free, beginner-friendly, and fun to make.
If you love cozy drinks, healthier desserts, or bold flavor combos — you’re in the right place. [Read full story]
