Autumn warming drinks: Ayurvedic moon milk and cardamom choco-coco

Now that autumn is here, it’s finally – can you tell we’ve been waiting for this? – time to light some candles and start curling up on the couch with a hot drink, cosy blanket and a good book. Oh my, what a blissful and comforting feeling it is to treat yourself to warming seasonal drinks. Sure, you could go and get a cuppa around the corner, but there’s nothing like the rewarding sensation of brewing your own creation.

 

According to Ayurvedic tradition, moon milk is a glass of warm milk that’s taken just before bed – i.e. when the moon’s out – to help treat insomnia. It commonly contains at least milk and honey or syrup, but it’s often elevated with additional herbs and spices. The spices in both the moon milk and the cardamom choco-coco milk, such as nutmeg, acai and cardamom, help calm you down and prepare you for sleep. And the oat or coconut milk are known to contain tryptophan – a sleep supporting amino acid.

 

Sweet dreams are heading your way for sure!

 

ingredients for moon milk

 

For the moon milk:

INGREDIENTS

for 1 cup

 

Preparation

10 minutes

  • 350 ml unsweetened oat milk
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 2 pieces of star anise
  • Pinch of nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla powder
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp acai powder

 

TO GARNISH

  • Cinnamon powder
  • Star anise

 

moon milk with cinnamon stick

 

PREPARATION

  1. Heat the oat milk in a saucepan and add the cinnamon stick, cinnamon powder, the 2 pieces of star anise, nutmeg and vanilla powder
  2. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 5 minutes
  3. Remove the cinnamon stick and star anise
  4. Add the acai powder and maple syrup before whisking thoroughly
  5. Pour into a mug and sprinkle a little more cinnamon powder on top

 

For the cardamom choco-coco milk:

 

ingredients for cardamom choco-coco milk

 

INGREDIENTS

for 1 cup

 

Preparation

  • 5 minutes
  • 370 ml unsweetened coconut milk drink
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
  • 2 tbs maple syrup
  • 1 generous tbs pure cocoa powder

 

cocoa powder

 

TO GARNISH

Optional: mini marshmallows

  1. Heat the coconut milk in a pan
  2. Add the cardamom and cinnamon powder
  3. Stir well and bring to a boil. Let this simmer for a few minutes on low heat.
  4. Remove from hob and then stir in maple syrup and cocoa powder.

 

Pour into a mug and garnish with mini marshmallows if desired. Enjoy!

 

hot chocolate

Mirjam Leslie-Pringle

Mirjam Leslie-Pringle is a food expert, photographer and owner of the popular vegetarian recipe blog veggieverymuch.com. Born and raised in the Netherlands, Mirjam left Amsterdam three years ago with her family to start a new adventure on the island of Ibiza. Together with her husband, three kids, four horses, three dogs and a cat, Mirjam’s days are filled with work, fun, and of course, healthy and delicious food.