Bone broth in hot chocolate? You might wonder how that combination is good, but if you like sweet and salty, then you’ll love this gut-friendly and collagen-packed hot chocolate. If you want a hot chocolate that packs a lot of nutrients, then you need to try this drink created by Fallon’s table! I add an extra chocolatey kick to get it really creamy and comforting.

Here’s how to make bone broth hot chocolate at home!

What is Bone Broth Hot Chocolate?

It’s hot chocolate made with unseasoned bone broth, milk, cocoa powder, a splash of vanilla extract, and a sweetener. It’s super easy to make in one pot and only takes 5 ingredients. If you’re having a cozy night in, this is my favorite concoction to drink (because it also feels healthy, haha).

You can also make this for a holiday gathering or for kids; it’s truly perfect for all ages!

Why Add Bone Broth to Hot Chocolate?

There’s a reason why people drink soup when they’re sick! Bone broth is made by boiling chicken or beef bones in water to create a nutrient-rich stock.

Bone Broth Hot Chocolate Benefits. Aside from protein, it’s packed with collagen, vitamins, and amino acids, which benefit gut and joint health.

I like to add bone broth to hot cocoa for the added nutrients, but I also love the creamy texture it adds, thanks to the gelatin. It also adds a nice savoriness to hot chocolate that I personally love since hot cocoa can sometimes be overbearingly sweet.

It’s basically a nutrient-boosting addition to a cozy drink!

Is Bone Broth Hot Chocolate Healthy?

Healthy is subjective, but objectively, hot chocolate isn’t considered the healthiest because of its high sugar content. If you look at instant hot cocoa packs, the first ingredient listed is sugar, then milk derivatives, oils, and then cocoa powder. While a pack of Swiss Miss hot cocoa is 160 calories, it has a whopping 32 grams of sugar. Not exactly the healthiest!

However, if you make your own, you can adjust and use less sugar, along with fresh milk and cocoa powder, which is much better for you than the powdered version. A serving of this homemade bone broth hot chocolate has about 160-170 calories per cup, and it has more nutrients and less sugar than the instant version!

What Does Bone Broth Hot Chocolate Taste Like?

It tastes like a really good hot chocolate with a slight saltiness to it. Imagine semi-sweet chocolate with a subtle salted caramel flavor; that’s what this tastes like to me! Now, my boyfriend doesn’t like sweet and salty flavors, so he didn’t like this, but as a sweet and salty lover, this is the perfect hot chocolate.

And you can’t taste any chicken or meat flavor from the bone broth—the cocoa powder does a great job of masking the protein flavor. If you asked me if this had bone broth in it and I didn’t know, I would never be able to tell.

You could probably also get the same effect by subbing the bone broth with a generous pinch of salt!

What Bone Broth to Use

Don’t go using the canned chicken broth you use for soups! Brands often flavor bone broth with a lot of salt and various vegetables to get a slightly sweet flavor. You’ll want to look for a bone broth that is unseasoned and unsalted (if possible) to use the most neutral-flavored broth. The chicken and vegetable flavor will really come through if you use regular chicken or beef broth.

Some brands with clean bone broth include Kettle and Fire, Zoup, or your classic broth favorites. But make sure to look at the ingredient list before buying and confirm it is just chicken bones, water, and maybe salt. However, the best broth to use is homemade!

How to Make Bone Broth

If you have a chicken carcass or bones lying around, this is the perfect opportunity to make broth with them! Boiling broth takes some time and patience, but gives you the most control over your stock.

First, clean your bones, then add them to a large pot of water. You’ll want to boil it and let it slowly simmer for an hour, scooping the scum off the top, then simmering for 3-4 hours until the bones break down and you have a nice, rich broth. You can even continue simmering for up to 14 hours for a super-rich broth.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• It’s nutritious and delicious!
• The bone broth adds the perfect saltiness to sweet hot chocolate.
• Cozy, comforting, and healthier than instant hot cocoa.
• A unique drink you should try!
• Perfect for the holidays and sharing with friends and family.

Bone Broth Hot Chocolate: What You’ll Need

Equipment:

• A medium-sized pot.

Ingredients:

• 2-3 tbsp cocoa powder
• 1 cup bone broth
• ½ cup whole milk or half and half
• 3 tbsp agave
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 squares semi-sweet or dark chocolate (optional)

Bone Broth Hot Chocolate Recipe

1. Make or Buy Bone Broth. Source or make your own unseasoned and unsalted bone broth. Low-sodium bone broth also works and will add a nice subtle saltiness to the hot chocolate.
2. Add Ingredients. Add bone broth, milk, cocoa powder, and sweetener to a medium-sized pot. Mix with a whisk until well-combined and no clumps of cocoa powder remain.
3. Boil on the Stove. Bring the mixture to a simmer on low to medium heat, stirring until you get a smooth, light brown liquid. Make sure to dissolve all the sweetener and avoid boiling the hot chocolate.
4. Add Vanilla and Chocolate. Turn off the heat and take the pot off the heat, then add vanilla extract and chopped chocolate. Stir until all the chocolate melts.
5. Serve and Enjoy! Pour into serving cups and garnish with mini marshmallows or whipped cream!

Tips for the Best Hot Cocoa

• Use Whole Milk: I love a creamy hot chocolate, so I use whole milk or half and half for a luscious texture and flavor. Yes, using milk with more fat is more caloric, but it’s worth it for delicious, creamy cocoa! You could even use evaporated milk and regular milk for an extra creamy texture.
• Use Good Quality Cocoa Powder: Good quality ingredients really make a huge difference here. Instead of generic cocoa powder, maybe look for a Dutch-processed cocoa powder, which gives it a slightly deeper flavor. Also, use an unsweetened cocoa powder so you can control the sweetness later.
• Add Real Chocolate: Again, high-quality ingredients mean a high-quality hot chocolate! I like to use Ghirardelli chocolate since it’s often available in my household, but you can use any other good-quality chocolate like Lindt, Valhrona, etc.
• Chop Chocolate: You’ll want to chop your chocolate before adding it to the hot cocoa so that it melts evenly. Otherwise, you’ll end up with unmelted pieces floating around, and you don’t want that!

Variations

• Spiced: Want to make this festive or more flavorful? Add your favorite aromatic spices for a spiced twist. My recommendations are cardamom, cinnamon, chili powder, cloves, and pumpkin spice. You can also go the more floral route with rosemary, basil, peppermint, or rose.
• Vegan: Swap out all the dairy products for vegan-friendly alternatives. For bone broth, you can even use a veggie broth and add a little agar agar to get that gelatinous texture. Use a fattier dairy alternative to replace the whole milk to keep the creamy feel.
• White: Instead of cocoa, you can try white chocolate hot cocoa for a sweeter, creamier flavor. Swap the cocoa powder and chocolate for chopped white chocolate. This might taste more like caramel or a blondie!
• Tea-Infused: Have you ever infused hot chocolate with tea? It’s so, so good. The best combination I’ve made is Earl Grey hot chocolate, which kind of tastes like Fruity Pebbles! I’m also intrigued by jasmine tea and Assam!

Frequently Asked Questions

Does bone broth hot chocolate taste good?

Taste is subjective, but it has to taste good to some people if it’s gone viral! I personally love the sweet and salty flavor from the broth and chocolate, which is really similar to how chocolate tastes good with salted caramel or sea salt. It has a lot of flavor and makes the hot cocoa more interesting!

Why are people drinking bone broth hot chocolate?

It’s trendy and has added nutrients! There’s nothing better than a viral recipe that has added minerals, vitamins, and nutrients. You feel healthier and get a delicious drink!

Can I add bone broth to hot chocolate?

Yes! The broth actually makes the hot chocolate slightly creamier, and it’s a fun combination of two unrelated beverages. It’s also a nice way to sneak in some collagen and minerals if you or your kids are picky.

What happens to your body when you start drinking bone broth?

Bone broth has a lot of collagen and amino acids, so it can supposedly enhance your gut and joint health. But don’t take it from me, you can read the research for yourself! This study talks about how the nutrients of bone broth support gut health enhancement and alleviate intestinal problems.

Other Hot Chocolate Recipes to Try

If you like this unique bone broth hot chocolate, then you’ll love trying other hot cocoa recipes! Here are some delicious combinations you need to try next:

• Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
• Matcha White Chocolate
• Hot Chocolate Bombs
• Whipped Hot Chocolate
• DIY Cocoa Mix