There isn’t much as comforting as a cup of hot chocolate on a grey winter day. It’s been described as ‘more than a food, less than a drug’, and that definitely rings true for modern chocoholics who have those clever ancient Mayans to thank for transforming ordinary little cacao pods into the scrumptious confectionery we know and love as hot chocolate today. Try this cocoa recipe with a kick of chilli to warm you up.

MAKES 1 cup // COOKING TIME 10 min

INGREDIENTS
3 tbsp quality cacao powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1 pinch cayenne pepper
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 cup full-cream milk
Honey, to taste

METHOD
1. Mix the cacao, cinnamon, cayenne pepper and vanilla essence together in a mug.
2. Pour the milk into a glass container and microwave at full power until it begins to boil (about 2 minutes).
3. Slowly pour the hot milk over the mixture in the mug, stirring with a small whisk as you pour.
4. Add honey to taste, and enjoy.