Bone Broth Hot Chocolate Recipe For Gut Health

Looking for a cozy, creamy, and decadent way to sip your bone broth? You’ve just found it! Bone broth hot chocolate is so easy to make, great for your gut, and even though bone broth in hot chocolate might sound a little strange at first, it’s delicious and full of nutritious goodness.

As a lover of hot chocolate and someone who loves to try and find ways to incorporate bone broth into many of my foods, I was jumping in excitement when I first came across this style of recipe. I had been making “healthy” cacao hot chocolate for years before finding this and couldn’t wait to make it that much better for me, my family, and our overall gut health.

Now let’s get that pan ready and prepare to get cozy with this homemade, healthy hot chocolatey goodness.

Benefits of bone broth hot chocolate

With such simple and powerful whole-food ingredients, this hot chocolate recipe packs a punch with the nutrients and benefits it provides.

Some of its recognized benefits are to help:

• Improve digestion and gut health
• Fortify immune function
• Build muscles, tissues, and bones
• Healthier hair, skin, and nails
• Protect bones and joints
• Strengthen skin elasticity during pregnancy
• Prevent dehydration and fatigue
• Promote better sleep
• Aid in (healthier) weight loss

Why bone broth?

I know when I first heard of this mix I was confused. Why would anyone want to do that? To sum it up, bone broth is a complete protein with many beneficial amino acids and it provides a rich source of collagen. Bone broth also gives you so much more in terms of nutrition, electrolytes, vitamins and minerals iron, calcium, magnesium, and phosphorus. Not only that, but it’s also highly bioavailable, making it much easier for your body to absorb the nutrients found in a good quality bone broth.

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What’s in this recipe?

So simple yet so nutritious and delicious! Bone broth hot chocolate includes milk, natural sweetener, cacao powder, pure vanilla extract, sea salt and you guessed it, bone broth.

Combining these ingredients provides an amazing blend of vitamins and minerals that our bodies thrive on. Plus, all of these ingredients are completely healthy to consume every day if you wanted!

• Bone broth

  This rich and nutritious broth can be made right at home. The longer the bones are simmered, the greater the concentration of collagen and nutrients in the broth. For this recipe, a lighter-flavored broth is best flavor-wise. 

• Milk

  Naturally rich in protein, minerals, and vitamins. We recommend raw milk in this recipe, and for good reason. Carefully produced raw milk undeniably has numerous health advantages over pasteurized milk. However, you can always use whatever milk you have available and feel comfortable with this recipe.

• Cacao powder

  Another superfood packed full of essential vitamins and nutrients! Unlike normal cocoa powder and chocolate, cacao has not been chemically processed and roasted, which would destroy a large amount of the antioxidants and flavanols. Plus, you can add it to your diet with no guilt, just good old chocolatey deliciousness. 

• Natural sweetener

  Could it truly be a hot chocolate without some sweetness? My preference is honey (yet another superfood), secondarily maple syrup. Many natural sweeteners have so health benefits to offer, pick your favorite!

• Pure vanilla extract

  Just a touch of vanilla to slightly elevate the taste. Pure vanilla extract has antioxidant properties and provides a more calming effect. 

• Sea salt

  Adding a small pinch of sea salt allows the body to absorb needed minerals more easily. Sea salt is high in Magnesium, Potassium, Calcium, and Sodium, which are key for muscle, brain, and heart health. It’s also delicious in this recipe.

• Cinnamon (optional)

  Ranked by researchers as the #1 spice across the globe in terms of its antioxidant levels, cinnamon has a number of health benefits, too! I never skip it simply cause I love the flavor of cinnamon, but it’s completely optional.

Jump to the recipe below for complete instructions and measurements!

ALSO SEE: Our delicious and nutritious sea moss lemonade recipe

Ways to dress up bone broth hot chocolate

Now for the fun stuff – dressing your bone broth hot chocolate. Hot chocolate doesn’t have to go with just marshmallows. There are plenty of ways to flavor this base hot chocolate recipe. 

With so many ideas, I couldn’t help but share them with you:

• Whipped cream – ideally homemade, then add seasonal sprinkles, healthy fudge sauce, or healthy caramel sauce
• Spices – cinnamon, nutmeg, pumpkin spice, etc
• Herbs – add lavender or fresh mint
• Real chocolate – shaved on top or melted into it to change flavors
• Booze – Baileys, peppermint schnapps or amaretto
• Orange zest
• Syrups
• Good old-fashioned marshmallows

Other hot chocolate variations exist and are fun ways to spice up your bone broth hot chocolate for special occasions or to simply treat yourself:

Mexican bone broth hot chocolate

To put a Mexican spin on this hot chocolate, add ¾ tsp of cinnamon and a pinch of cayenne or ancho chili powder before heating. Add a cinnamon stick to each cup and top with a dollop of whipped cream.

Kahlua bone broth hot chocolate

Add a stick of cinnamon, a pinch of nutmeg, and a splash of Kahlua, then top with homemade whipped cream and a healthier salted caramel for a more decadent, adult treat.

French bone broth hot chocolate

Instead of a full cup of milk, use ½ cup each of both milk and heavy cream (ideally raw). Melt dark chocolate while heating to transform this recipe into a whole new level of decadence.

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Use real bone broth!

With so many store-bought bone broth options available today, it’s important to know that they’re not all created equal. Be sure to buy real bone broth and not one that’s simply made with meat flavorers or powders. Aim for organic, pasture-raised, or grass-fed bones, and stay away from additives, preservatives, junk fillers, sweeteners, and more. These have no protein or lack the nutrients needed to benefit your health. 

Some excellent brands I recommend are Kettle and Fire and Fond (not sponsored).

Though it’s more work, the best bone broth is often made right at home.

MAKING YOUR OWN BROTH? If you’re going to make your own bone broth at home, it should include things like chicken bones or beef bones with some meat and fat still left on them, as well as turmeric, onion, celery, and other vegetables to boost its nutritional value. Cook it for a minimum of 8 hours to get all of the peptides from the bones. 

Risks and precautions

Histamine intolerance

People who have a histamine intolerance may likely experience discomfort when drinking bone broth. Bone broth is a high-histamine-containing food due to its long cooking times. 

Focusing on healing your gut is the best way to overcome histamine intolerance. You can still drink bone broth (and it will help heal a histamine intolerance,) but the daily consumption of bone broth needs to be much smaller than the typical recommended dose. Limit broth to ¼ cup in this recipe to start and go from there.

You should also consume broths that have not been simmered for very long (aim for 3 hours.) Though still nutrient-dense, it will not be quite as nutritious as longer-simmered versions. Gradually you should be able to tolerate more and longer cooked broths as well as other high-histamine-containing foods!

Symptoms of histamine intolerance include headaches, bloating, constipation or gas, rapid heart rate, fatigue, skin rashes, and more.

Too much cacao

Eating too much cacao can interfere with calcium retention. Don’t consume more than 40 grams (or four to six heaped teaspoons) of raw cacao a day.

How to make bone broth hot chocolate

5 from 7 votes

Bone broth hot chocolate

This gut-healthy twist on a classic winter treat is made with bone broth, cacao powder, milk, a natural sweetener of your choice, sea salt, and a touch of vanilla. 

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Have you tried this recipe? Leave us a review!

Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 10 minutes mins

Servings: 2 servings

Calories: 295kcal

Equipment

• 1 saucepan
• 1 whisk

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup high-quality chicken bone broth (lighter in flavor is best)
• 1 cup milk (ideally whole raw milk or coconut milk but any will do)
• 1.5 tbsp natural sweetener (maple syrup, honey, or raw cane sugar)
• 1.5 – 2 tbsp cacao powder (depending on how chocolatey you want it)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract 
• Pinch of sea salt
• Pinch of cinnamon or cinnamon stick (optional)

Instructions

• In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring bone broth to a slight boil. 
• Add the natural sweetener of your choice, cacao powder, pure vanilla extract, and sea salt. Whisk well until combined. 
• Add milk and cook for 2 more minutes.
• Pour into mugs and top with a sprinkle of cinnamon or add cinnamon stick, if desired. 
• Serve hot and enjoy the frothy goodness!

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American

Keywords: homemade, hot chocolate, immune support, natural recipe, vitality

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Who shouldn’t drink bone broth hot chocolate?

Everyone can consume bone broth, however, anyone with a histamine intolerance will need to lower their intake and the potency of their bone broth until their gut is healed enough to tolerate more. The good news is that bone broth will aid in healing your gut!

Which bone broth is healthiest?

I recommend the Kettle and Fire and Fond brands as they use simple, clean ingredients. When done correctly, homemade bone broth is always best!

How much bone broth can I have every day?

It’s recommended to drink 1 cup (237 mL) of bone broth daily for maximum health benefits. Whether once a week or once a day, consuming bone broth will benefit your body. 

Can children have bone broth hot chocolate?

Children under the age of 2 should not consume bone broth hot chocolate. In general, experts advise keeping chocolate, even in its purest raw form such as cacao, away from children until they’re older. 

DISCLAIMER: I am not a doctor. The content on your site is for informational or educational purposes only and does not substitute professional medical advice or consultations with healthcare professionals.

Photo of broth provided by bayevskitchen.com.