Bone Broth Hot Chocolate

This smooth and creamy bone broth hot chocolate recipe is delicious and nutrient dense. It’s made with a few simple ingredients and comes together in under 5 minutes. The perfect chocolatey way for the whole family to sip and enjoy bone broth!

As someone who has been sipping on bone broth for over a decade, I’m always looking for new ways to incorporate it into my routine. Bone broth is rich in collagen, minerals, and protein, so it’s a great way to boost the nutrient density of recipes. I love making my own bone broth and using it in healthy soups, stews, and even jasmine rice. But my most favorite way to consume it? Bone broth hot chocolate, of course!

I first came across the idea of making hot chocolate from bone broth from a brilliant internet friend, Fallon Lee. After seeing the idea, I started experimenting with it for my own family. My kids absolutely love hot chocolate, especially during the cold weather months. And if I could actually disguise bone broth in a chocolatey drink for them? Well, sign me up!

After months of perfecting it, I’m happy to share that my rather picky kids absolutely love my bone broth hot chocolate recipe! It’s creamy and rich, and the combo of vanilla and cinnamon adds the perfect amount of warmth. If you’re not a huge fan of bone broth but want to soak up the benefits, this recipes is right up your alley! It makes two servings so you can share a cup with your children, or save some for the next day!

Broth vs Bone Broth

While broth and bone broth are often used interchangeably, there are some distinct differences between the two. Broth is made by simmering meat and vegetables in water. It’s typically seasoned with salt and may include herbs and spices for flavor.

Bone broth, on the other hand, is a further evolution of broth and stocks. It’s made by simmering vegetables, meat, and bones, often with connective tissues like ligaments and tendons. The bones are usually simmered for a longer period, sometimes up to 24 hours. As a result, bone broth is rich in minerals, amino acids, and collagen, and has a higher protein content in comparison to broth.

Ingredients

Here are some notes on key ingredients in this recipe:

• Chicken bone broth – I recommend using a more neutral flavored broth without a ton of seasoning. I’ve used both Bonafide Provisions Chicken Bone Broth and Kettle & Fire chicken bone broth with success!
• Milk of choice – I’ve tested this with regular and coconut milk and both work great. If you use canned coconut milk, use 1 cup coconut milk, and 1/2 cup filtered water. While you can use nut milks, I’ve found that they often don’t provide enough masking flavor or creaminess.
• Maple syrup – Use dark maple syrup for the best flavor.
• Cocoa powder – Use an unsweetened cocoa or cacao powder
• Toppings: While toppings are optional, it adds a little bit of creaminess and enjoyment to your hot chocolate! My favorites are marshmallows, coconut whipped cream, or chocolate shavings!

See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.

Substitutions

Want to make this your own? Here are some quick and easy shifts you can make:

• Bone Broth – Want to use homemade bone broth? I recommend straining it through a wire mesh strainer to remove any herbs or seasoning.
• Maple syrup – You can swap this for honey

How to Make Bone Broth Hot Chocolate

1. Heat: In a medium saucepan over medium heat, bring the bone broth to a light simmer. 

2. Mix: Add the milk, maple syrup, cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and cinnamon to the saucepan and whisk until creamy and smooth.

3. Serve: Pour the hot chocolate into two separate mugs. If desired, use a milk frother to make the hot chocolate nice and foamy. Serve with optional marshmallows or whipped cream on top. Sip and enjoy!

Mixing Tips

• Bring the bone broth to a light simmer before adding any of the remaining ingredients. This will help everything blend together well.
• Use a whisk to incorporate the ingredients so your cocoa powder fully dissolves.
• Taste the broth in the saucepan before serving. Add a little more cocoa powder if you like it more chocolatey, or a little more maple syrup if you need some more sweetness.
• Want to boost the gut healing qualities? Add 1 scoop of collagen peptides to saucepan and whisk well just before serving.

Recipe FAQs

Serving

While I love drinking this as is, you can serve it with any of your favorite warm and cozy toppings. My favorites include:

• Whipped cream: My favorite is coconut whipped cream!
• Chocolate shavings: You can do this with your favorite chocolate bar and a kitchen peeler.
• Marshmallows: Make your own or grab some at the store.
• Sprinkles: When I serve this to my kids on snow days, sometimes I add a few naturally colored sprinkles on top!

More Bone Broth Recipes

• How to Make Chicken Bone Broth
• Healthy Zuppa Toscana
• Instant Pot Chicken Enchilada Soup (Whole30, Paleo)
• Easy Stovetop Chili

Recipe by: Noelle Tarr / Coconuts and Kettlebells | Photography by: Casey Colodny / The Mindful Hapa and Noelle Tarr