Hot chocolate on a cold winter hike is a truly magical experience. Rich, sweet, creamy hot chocolate is the perfect way to warm up and replenish your energy… and it tastes delicious. With a little bit of prep at home or at camp, you can enjoy a delicious hot chocolate anywhere – on a clifftop, in a lush valley or at the foot of a crag.
Big thanks to Wild Woman from way back Wanda Nicholson for sharing her recipe.
Health Benefits Of Hot Chocolate
Hot chocolate isn’t just a yummy drink – it also has fantastic health benefits. Cacao powder can provide you with a great source of fibre and iron, especially if you use a high quality raw cacao or dark chocolate.
Cocoa is also quite rich in antioxidants… in fact, there’s more in dark chocolate than in red wine and green tea! These antioxidants are known to not only boost our immune system but could reduce the risk of cancer or heart disease.
In addition to this, chocolate makes you HAPPY! Chocolate contains both serotonin and caffeine, which can boost your energy and mood, making it the perfect mid-hike pick me up!
Ingredients
Makes 1litre
- 2 large tbs raw cacao powder
- 1 tbs sweetener (you could use raw sugar, honey, maple syrup, agave or whatever floats your boat)
- 1 litre milk (oat or full cream are our favourites)
Method
For a day hike (make hot choc at home):
- Boil the kettle and pour hot water into your thermos, put lid on.
- Heat up your milk in the microwave.
- Whisk in cacao power and sugar into the warm milk.
- Once all whisked in, heat milk again till hot.
- Tip the hot water out of the thermos and pour hot chocolate in. Put lid on straight away.
For a multi-day hike (make hot choc at camp):
- Boil water on camp stove and pour hot water into your thermos, put lid on.
- Heat up your milk over the stove.
- Whisk in cacao powder and sugar into the warm milk. Continue whisking till mixture is very hot (not boiling).
- Tip the hot water out of the thermos and pour hot chocolate in. Put lid on straight away.
Enjoy in a scenic spot with friends!
