The Chocolate Moon Milk Recipe You Need This Fall

Meet Moon Milk, the cosmic, dairy-free beverage that’s slaying the social media scene. More than just a pretty picture; this celestial concoction is great for relaxation, anxiety, sleeplessness, and creating an overall sense of peace and well-being.

In fact, it’s almost improper to call it a trend—variations of this beautiful drink have been around for centuries. Moon Milk is Ayurvedic in tradition, a soothing nightcap used to calm the mind and settle the body into a state of relaxation. (Remember how often someone told you to take warm milk for insomnia?) This recipe is delicious and dairy-free, making it ideal for those with specific dietary restrictions.

Moon Milk is especially beneficial for those with chaotic schedule and mile-long to-do lists. We’re looking at the folks who seriously need a moment to ground down and check in. Moon Milk combines a variety of adaptogens (herbs and plants that allow one’s body to better adapt to stress) and other nourishing ingredients in order to create a delicious grounding experience. A few essential components in this recipe include:

Reishi – It’s not just the immune-boosting properties that make reishi and ideal choice for moon milk—this mysterious mushroom is also celebrated for  inducing sleep and easing anxiety. Furthermore, studies have shown that reishi can help aid cancer patients by increasing white blood cells.

Ashwagandha – Known for balancing hormone levels and easing stress, ashwagandha is a must-have in our moon milks. A few studies have also illustrated the herb’s ability to alleviate depression. It’s a swell choice for nighttime, especially if you’re coming off a long day and need to balance out your nervous system.

Coconut Butter – Coconut butter is rich in lauric acid, which can help boost immunity and destroy harmful viruses, bacteria, and fungi in the body. And even though it’s a fat, it’s shown to actually boost one’s metabolism, leading to increased energy levels and overall weight loss.

Raw Cacao – Not to be confused for cocoa, raw cacao powder is made by cold-pressing cacao beans instead of heat treating, meaning no nutrients are lost in the process. These nutrients include magnesium (great to anxiety), flavonoids, and antioxidants. And hello, it’s chocolate! What could be cozier?

Spooky Chocolate Moon Milk

1 cup almond milk (or other non-dairy milk of your choosing)
2 tsp cacao powder
1 tsp ashwagandha
1 tsp reishi powder
1 tsp honey (or maple syrup if vegan)
1 tbsp coconut butter
Sprinkle of sea salt
Edible marigolds to garnish

Add almond milk to a saucepan. Warm on medium heat until almond milk is just barely simmering. Lower heat and add remaining ingredients, whisking to combine and remove any lumps. Pour into a mug and garnish with edible flowers, if desired.

Enjoy Moon Milk  on a relaxed Sunday afternoon, in place of your 5pm glass of wine, or in the quiet of the evening. It’s also the ideal companion for intention setting, journaling, or vision boarding. Make it truly a witchy evening with some palo santo and crystals and you’ve got yourself an evening of lunar bliss.

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