Description
Creamy dandelion hot chocolate blends earthy wildflower notes with rich cocoa for a comforting winter beverage. Local herbs and natural sweeteners create a nourishing drink you’ll savor slowly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup milk (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tbsp (15 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tsp (5 g) roasted dandelion root (loose or in a tea bag)
- ½ tsp (2.5 mL) honey or maple syrup (to taste)
- ¼ tsp (1.25 mL) vanilla extract
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
- Pinch of sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Milk Preparation: Gently warm milk in a petite saucepan, avoiding a full boil, creating a soft, inviting base for the infusion.
- Dandelion Infusion: Blend roasted dandelion root into the warming milk, stirring delicately to extract its earthy, nuanced essence for 5-7 minutes.
- Straining Process: Meticulously strain the liquid, removing root fragments to ensure a pristine, silky foundation for the beverage.
- Chocolate Integration: Whisk cocoa powder into the infused milk with smooth, consistent motions, developing a rich, deep chocolatey profile.
- Flavor Enhancement: Introduce sweetener and vanilla extract, carefully balancing the drink’s aromatic complexity and creating a harmonious flavor landscape.
- Spice Elevation: Optionally sprinkle warming spices like cinnamon or nutmeg, adding intricate layers of depth and sensory intrigue.
- Final Heating: Continue whisking the mixture over gentle heat, achieving a velvety, perfectly integrated texture that promises comfort and sophistication.
- Serving Ritual: Pour the luxurious elixir into a cherished ceramic mug, allowing its warmth to create a moment of pure sensory delight.
Notes
- Manage Milk Temperature: Keep milk warm but never boil to preserve delicate flavors and prevent scorching, ensuring a smooth base for your hot chocolate.
- Steep Dandelion Carefully: Allow 5-7 minutes of infusion time for optimal earthy essence extraction without creating bitter undertones, gently stirring to maximize flavor integration.
- Whisk with Precision: Use consistent, smooth whisking motions when adding cocoa and sweetener to prevent clumping and create a silky, uniform texture throughout the beverage.
- Customize for Dietary Needs: Swap dairy milk with plant-based alternatives like almond or oat milk, and use natural sweeteners such as maple syrup or stevia for vegan or low-sugar adaptations.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Drinks, Desserts
- Method: Simmering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 120
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 4 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 16 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg