We’ve been loving this golden milk and ceremonial cacao recipe lately, especially paired with Oaxacan Spice for an extra layer of warmth and depth. Between the cacao, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne, this recipe creates a cup that feels grounding, circulatory, creamy, and energizing all at once while still feeling smooth on the nervous system. Because these spices naturally increase warmth in the body, this recipe can feel especially supportive during slower mornings, transitional seasons, or times where digestion and circulation need a little boost.
Keep reading to discover why these spices pair so well with ceremonial cacao and how to make this rich, warming recipe at home.
Explore Cacao For Circulation
Why Golden Milk + Cacao Work So Well Together
Golden milk is a traditional ayurvedic beverage made from turmeric and other warming spices and combined with warm milk. It has anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting properties.
If you haven’t yet tried our Oaxacan Spice cacao yet, it combines cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, and cayenne with our pure ceremonial cacao. The recipe was inspired by a traditional Mayan drinking chocolate recipe.
Where the magic really begins is combining these two beverages together. Not only are their flavor profiles deliciously complimentary but they also work synergistically to increase circulation with cacao’s theobromine and flavanols with extra activation from the added warming spices. These warming spices, which support digestion, are made more bioavailable from the naturally occurring cacao butter content. This recipe feels complex, aromatic, and invigorating without overpowering the cacao itself. The cayenne especially helps “lift” the cup while cardamom softens and balances the sharper edges of the spice profile.
Spiced drinking chocolate has deep roots throughout Central and South America, where cacao was traditionally prepared with warming spices instead of large amounts of sugar. This recipe draws inspiration from those traditions while creating a creamier, more modern preparation that still honors the richness, heat, and depth that make spicy cacao so enjoyable to drink.
Because this recipe is naturally quite warming, some people may especially enjoy it during chilly mornings or transitional weather. If you tend to run warmer in your constitution or live in a hotter climate, blending it iced can help soften the intensity while still preserving the grounding and circulatory qualities of the drink.
Create Your Own Spiced Cacao Ritual
Golden Milk Cacao Recipe
Ingredients:
- 20 to 25 discs of Oaxacan Spice cacao
- 2 tsp golden milk powder (You can easily find a pre-made golden milk powder at your health food store. We also love Organic India’s Golden Milk Mix)
- 8 oz oat milk or preferred plant milk
- Optional: honey or maple syrup to taste
- Optional iced preparation with ice cubes
Directions:
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Warm oat milk gently to about 180°F without boiling.
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Add warmed oat milk, cacao discs, golden milk powder, optional sweetener, into a blender.
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Blend until completely smooth and frothy
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If making iced, add in your ice cubes and blend until chilled and frothy
The richness of the oat milk softens and rounds out the spice profile while allowing the cacao and warming herbs to remain the focus. Between the cacao, turmeric, ginger, cinnamon, cardamom, and cayenne, this recipe creates a cup that supports circulation, warmth, digestion, and steady energy without the sharper peaks and crashes that can come with stronger stimulants. We especially love this recipe in the morning when the body wants something grounding, substantial, and energizing without feeling overly intense.
