This Vegan Peppermint Hot Chocolate is a Healthy and Delicious Holiday Treat

We’re full-on into holiday mode, which means you’ve probably indulged in some festive drinks (or two, or three...). And while tasty, they aren’t exactly great for your health or skin, especially with the dairy and refined sugar.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy a delicious holiday-themed drink during the winter months. You can create your own healthy version at home, by substituting dairy and sugar with nutritious alternatives, such as nut milk, peppermint extract, fresh ginger and maca—all of which still taste great, but pack a superfood punch.

Meg Wallace founder of Vancouver’s Nutmeg Mylk has a recipe for a yummy, healthy peppermint cacao hot chocolate, which is super easy to make and is full of nutritious superfoods. Check out the recipe below, and enjoy!

Peppermint Cacao Hot Chocolate

Ingredients: 1 cup cashews soaked for a minimum of 1 hour (up to overnight) 4 cups filtered water 2 tablespoons cacao powder 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup 1 drop pure peppermint extract 3/4 teaspoon maca A pinch of Himalayan pink salt

Directions:

1. Drain and rinse soaked cashews.

2. Combine soaked cashews and water in a high-speed blender with cacao, maple syrup, vanilla, peppermint, maca and Himalayan pink salt. Blend for two minutes until smooth.

3. Transfer to medium pot and simmer on stove until hot.

4. Transfer leftover hot chocolate to a container or mason jar, store in the fridge and enjoy cold or re-heated. Shelf life ranges from four to seven days.