A viral hot cocoa recipe promises to indulge your sweet tooth without derailing your health — if you’re not too chicken to try it.
Introducing bone broth hot chocolate: An unexpected fusion that’s got wellness influencers and health-conscious foodies buzzing.
While it may seem like an unlikely combo at first glance, the unconventional drink is being touted as nutritious, protein-packed beverage that doesn’t compromise on the cozy indulgence we crave on chilly winter days.
The viral recipe
Food creator Fallon Danae Lee’s bone broth hot chocolate recipe has racked up over 8,000 likes on Instagram, and it continues to earn attention every time she reshares it.
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of unflavored, unseasoned chicken bone broth
- 1 cup of whole milk, or 1/4 cup of heavy whipping cream and 1/2 cup of milk, or 1/2 cup of full fat coconut milk and 1/2 cup of water
- 2 tablespoons of maple syrup
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of cacao powder, “depending on how chocolatey you want it”
- splash of vanilla
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 scoop of collagen, optional
Simmer everything on the stove until combined and warm.
Lee says while using bone broth as a hot chocolate base may sound strange, the result is unexpectedly delicious. “Most who are hesitant are pleasantly surprised at how wonderful it is,” she told The Post.
The key, she says, is using a mild-flavored chicken bone broth, which “gives the drink a beautiful complexity with no hint of savory at all.”
Instagram users are on board — even some who were skeptical.
“Made this for the very first time this morning…so scared that it was not going to be good. Ma’am!! It is delicious!!! Thank you!!!” one user commented.
“I can’t drink plain hot chocolate anymore. It HAS to have bone broth in it! It’s the BEST,” said another.
Other fans called it a “game changer” and a “staple,” with one insisting her “whole family is hooked.”
Why bone broth? The health benefits
While the viral recipe is new to many, Lee says she came up with the idea on a hot July day in Texas in 2021. She was looking for a way to sneak gut-healing, immune-boosting ingredients into comfort foods.
“I’m always a fan of hot chocolate and have a habit of swapping gut-supportive bone broth into a lot of my savory recipe creations, so I thought I would give the unique pairing a try,” she said.
Lee’s creation taps into a growing interest in bone broth, a nutrient-packed liquid made by simmering animal bones and connective tissue for up to 48 hours. Bone broth is considered a healthier option than standard stock due to its longer cooking time, which extracts more vitamins, minerals, and amino acids from the carcass.
“The most notable nutrient in bone broth is the high level of collagen,” Lisa Moskovitz, a registered dietician and owner of NY Nutrition Group, told The Post. “Collagen is naturally found in your body in connective tissues such as skin and joints. But it can also be found in the lining of your gut and stomach, hence why collagen is also touted as a gut-healing nutrient.”
Research shows that collagen can improve skin hydration, bone density and muscle mass, and even eases joint pain. With 20 grams of protein per 8-ounce serving, bone broth has become a wellness favorite for boosting metabolism and curbing hunger.
“Bone broth is rich in protein while being low in calories — which can help improve satiety if an individual is dieting,” Anya Rosen, a registered dietitian and functional medicine practitioner, told The Post.
Protein is also essential for fat loss, as is a healthy gut, according to Sophie Anson, a nutritionist who founded the wellness company EatStrong.
“By improving gut health and supporting the healthy bacteria in our microbiome, we tend to have fewer sugar cravings,” she explained, adding that this could be a boost for weight loss.
But don’t get any ideas about swapping bone broth for your lunch just yet: Experts warn that its low-calorie content means it’s not a substitute for a full meal, despite Gweneth Paltrow touting it as one.
Potential risks to consider
There aren’t many downsides to drinking bone broth, but there are a few things to keep in mind.
For one, many commercial bone broths are high in sodium, with some recipes packing up to 500 milligrams per cup. “For anyone with high blood pressure or who is sensitive to salt, this could be enough reason to limit consumption,” said Moskovitz.
Bone broth can also be high in histamines, so those with intolerances should be cautious, Rosen advised.
Some low quality bone broths can also be packed with heavy minerals, which people should avoid. “It’s not a ‘gallon a day’ kind of food — 8-12 oz is enough,” said Anson.
Though many people make bone broth at home, you can also find it in grocery stores in various forms. Powders can be a great alternative, Rosen said, but you should try to find one that’s been minimally processed without added acids or chemicals.
“The ingredients should just be bones and water,” she said.
Bone broth gummies are also an option, though Rosen said she’s “generally not a fan” of them because they tend to have a lot of added sugar to make them more palatable.
Sweet and supportive
So, does adding bone broth to a sweet drink like hot chocolate cancel out its health perks? Not necessarily.
“Mixing bone broth and hot chocolate can certainly make it more appealing and thus increase how often you want to drink it,” said Moskovitz.
Anson noted that high-quality cocoa itself is a superfood, packed with flavonoids, antioxidants, and fiber that support heart health, brain function, and combat inflammation.
“The combined benefits of bone broth and cocoa would therefore, in my opinion, be highly recommended,” said Anson. “Anyone who enjoys both regularly probably would feel more energized and would have a more robust immune system, not to mention a flat tummy.”
The catch? Lee’s recipe packs 28 grams of sugar from the maple syrup — way over the recommended daily limit of 10 grams.
“I’d recommend reducing it to just 1 teaspoon of maple syrup —or using a tiny amount of monk fruit or stevia to sweeten it instead,” Rosen said.
