This Sugar-Free Chocolatey Drink Is Basically Adult Hot Cocoa (& It's Great For Skin) 

For me, hot cocoa is the epitome of childhood nostalgia. I recall frequently curling up on the couch with my steaming mug of chocolatey goodness after cold, wintry schooldays—sure, my beloved drink came from a powdered mix, but to me, it was fabulous. 

Like most recipes I bookmark as of late, this inspo came from TikTok. User Hailee Catalano recently created a hot chocolate that looks both elevated and comforting, infused with Earl grey tea for a sophisticated flavor and a subtle caffeine kick. 

To nail the rich, chocolatey flavor, I highly suggest snagging mindbodygreen’s chocolate beauty & gut collagen+. The powder calls upon organic cocoa derived from cacao trees in South America, East Africa, and the Dominican Republic to achieve the rich chocolate flavor. These high-quality cocoa beans have been roasted and ground to retain the highest nutritional value. 

Then it's sweetened with 100% pure monk fruit (meaning it's completely sugar-free). Also known as luo han guo and "Buddha fruit," this sweetener has been used as a natural antioxidant1 for centuries in Chinese medicine. It provides the perfect hit of sweetness you need for a cozy hot cocoa—without the dreaded blood sugar spike later on. 

Not to mention, this powder is loaded with additional nutrients, like vitamins C and E, hyaluronic acid, biotin, and turmeric. Of course, it also features collagen peptides, which have been shown to help promote the body's natural production of collagen2 and other molecules that make up the skin, like elastin and fibrillin.* As a result, research shows that these collagen peptides are able to support skin elasticity and dermal collagen density3.* 

First, pour your milk into a saucepan and add in your vanilla extract and salt. Gently stir to combine, then bring the milk to a gentle simmer. Once simmering, drop in your tea bag and let it steep for about five minutes.