How to make your Calm Cocoa

Calm Cocoa is best made slowly on a hob in a small milk saucepan - and a small whisk if you have one, but no worries if not.

Although it takes a little longer, this gives your hot chocolate the chance to thicken. You also get the benefit of breathing in all the delicious chocolatey aromas while it’s simmering. We like to think of it as a calming hot chocolate ritual.

However we get you may sometimes be a little short on time or don’t have a hob to hand, so you can also mix your Calm Cocoa straight up in a mug. We’ve included a ‘mug method’ at the end.

It also works in ‘hot chocolate maker’ machines.

The instructions below are for a full hot chocolatey hit - which is how we like it - but if you want something a little lighter just use a bit less Calm Cocoa.

Step 1

Start with a smile and your favourite mug to hand.

Sprinkle about 30g (approximately 3 heaped dessert spoons) of Calm Cocoa into a small pan.

Add a little splash of just boiled water and let it sit for half a minute so the chocolate starts to melt.

Stir this to make a smooth hot chocolate paste. This helps avoid chocolatey lumps at the end.

step 2

While the hot water is melting your Calm Cocoa, measure out your extra liquid.

You can use regular or non-dairy milk, or a half milk/half water mix. Using just water works best with the double espresso size drink. (Our favourite hot chocolate milk is oat milk as it’s naturally creamy!)

We recommend the following amounts of liquid per serving depending on the size of drink you’d like to make…

120ml = double espresso-sized shot (rich & thick)

150ml = small mug (medium to full bodied)

180-200ml = medium mug (mellow & milky)

Step 3

Pop your pan on the hob over a medium heat, gradually pouring over your liquid.

Stir as you go to blend your hot chocolate and milk.

Gradually heat up your hot choc up to a gentle simmer (just bubbling), whisking every now and then.

Don’t forget to lean over and breathe in all the aromas.

Let it lightly bubble away for 2-3 minutes, whisking it every now and then if you need to, and let your Calm Cocoa thicken.

TIP: don’t let the heat or the bubbles get too furious as it may burn your hot chocolate

Step 4

To finish, give your Calm Cocoa one final happy whisk, then pour into your cup or mug.

Leave it to cool a little before slowly sipping (careful it might be hot!). It will start to thicken as it cools so notice what temperature and thickness is right for you..

For the full Calm Cocoa experience, why not try sipping along to the Calm Cocoa Meditation.

in the mug method

To make your Calm Cocoa in a mug, first pop your hot chocolate in your favourite mug and heat up your choice of milk (see Step 2).

Add a splash of just boiled water to your mug to that it just covers your hot chocolate.

Let it sit for 10 seconds to melt the chocolate and then stir to make a smooth paste.

Slowly pour over warm milk, stirring as you go.

Leave your cup to sit for a minute or two, stir again and then, taking care to make sure your drink isn’t too hot, slowly sip!