Xocolatl: Drink of the Gods
The wonders of a steaming mug of hot chocolate!
After drinking just once sip of this magical tonic, I could feel the warmth spreading back into my tired body, from the corners of my scalp down to my toes, into each of my shoulder blades, gently waking up my mind, bringing the color back. I couldn’t help smile.
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Today was one of those days…When the sky stayed gray all day, pelting rain onto the Earth. Muddy, drippy wet air, washing against the windows. I woke up still asleep, and just managed to drag myself to yoga practice. For some reason, I was finding it hard to smile and my legs felt like two heavy tires. Move lady! The rest of the day, I stayed wrapped up in blankets, reading the rest of Chanakya’s Chant (awesome book), listening to Ravi Shankar on Youtube, and reviving myself with this delicious cup of life. Winter snuck up so quickly on us.
It is December. I cannot believe it. Just about one year ago from today, I was in the Frankfurt airport with butterflies in my tummy, writing my first travel post. Wow. Re-reading that post makes me feel rather good. Everything I wished to do here in India, I have done. And beyond. Actually, if then-Sonia met the now-Sonia, I am not so sure if we would recognize each other as one traveling on the same path. India has sure taken care of me well.
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So back to the chocolate. Haven’t I told you, “chocolate heals?”
Back in the day, the Aztecs, Mayans, and Incas mixed ground cacao beans with spices to make a bitter, invigorating drink, xocolatl. According to the Exploratorium Magazine, “The frothy beverage, which was sometimes made with water, and sometimes with wine, could be seasoned with vanilla, pimento, and chili pepper. It was thought to cure diarrhea and dysentery, and was believed to be an aphrodisiac. Cortez is said to have tried the beverage, but found it too bitter. He did, however, write to King Carlos I of Spain, calling ‘xocoatl’ a ‘drink that builds up resistance and fights fatigue.'”
The Aztec ruler, Montezuma, used to drink fifty glasses of this a day! Lucky man.
This recipe is so absolutely delicious, so absolutely simple, and actually good-for-you. Chocolate in it’s purest form, without all the cream and sugar, has extraordinary powers, with anti-oxidants, flavonoids, polyphenols, feel-good stimulants, and all that healthy beneficial stuff that you can Google if you are interested, in case Montezuma hasn’t convinced you. 😉
Recipe: Xocolatl
Mmmm. Truly a divine beverage that will lift your spirits from the deepest depths and soar you beyond the heavens. A drink for the Gods.
AND, the beauty of making homemade hot cocoa is that you can make it just the way you like. I love my cup really dark chocolaty and bitter. BUT, it can most definitely be enjoyed milky and sweet. See my notes below.
Ingredients for a dark cuppa xocolatl:
- ½ cup water
- ½ cup milk of your choice – dairy, soy, almond, rice, hemp
- 2-3 heaping tsps of cocoa powder (to your taste buds)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Honey/sugar/brown sugar (to your taste buds)
Ingredients for a light cuppa xocolatl:
- 1 cup milk of your choice – dairy, soy, almond, rice, hemp
- 1-2 heaping tsps of cocoa powder (to your taste buds)
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- Honey/sugar/brown sugar (to your taste buds)
Instructions
- In a saucepan, heat water, cinnamon and cocoa powder together. Stir well to make sure the cocoa powder dissolves completely. Let it come to a boil.
- Add milk and vanilla. Once it starts to softly boil, switch off the heat.
- **If only using milk, you can toss everything into the saucepan and let it boil over low heat.
- Stir in the sweetener of your choice – honey, sugar, brown sugar, even maple syrup! Or if you are a serious dark chocolate fan, like me and Montezuma, you can drink it black. Yum.
- Strain into a mug, bring close to your lips, close your eyes, and smell the aromatic notes of chocolate.
- Dollop on some whip cream if your feeling frisky.
Cheers!
Much love,
More later,
SONIA
