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Maca Cocoa Latte Keto Drink {coffee alternative}

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Incredible Keto Drink

Maca isn’t new to most people, but we’re just getting around to using it and we’re loving it so far. Aside from the fact that it has a unique flavor profile that really enhances certain recipes, it has so many great benefits.

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

To name a few, it is high in antioxidants, increases your energy (perfect way to start your day), gets you in a better mood, boost brain health and memory, and balances hormones and increases libido in both men and women (and boosts fertility). And who couldn’t benefit from every single one of those things?

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

Coffee Alternative Keto Drink

Since we’re not a coffee-drinking family, I enjoy finding coffee alternative drinks for us to enjoy in the morning. We don’t necessarily need a caffeine boost, but a warm drink on a cold morning or even something to just help ramp you up for the day ahead is always enjoyable. We’ve been enjoying my Brewed Butter Chocolate for a long time now, and it’s great to have a new beverage in the rotation.

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}
Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

We prefer to sweeten this Maca Cocoa Latter with stevia glycerite to keep the carb count low so we can maintain ketosis, but you can definitely sweeten it with honey or your preferred sweetener (though I’d recommend you steer clear of refined sugars to make sure it’s the right keto drink).

Speaking of specific ingredients, you might be wondering where to get your maca. I prefer to get mine from Thrive Market because they offer a quality brand and the cost is cheaper then other options. I actually get a lot of the Thrive Market branded products and haven’t had a bad experience with a single one yet. And if you haven’t tried them out yet, new customers can get 20% off their first 3 orders! Super good deal! Click here to get your discount.

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

MCT Oil Powder

The addition of MCT oil powder (rather than the actual oil itself) enhances the thick creaminess of this drink. You get all the benefits of the medium chain triglycerides with none of the oiliness (aka: MCT lip gloss). And make sure you don’t skip the last step of blending everything together, it’s what froths up the top and makes the drink extra creamy.

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

If you’re not a coffee drinker (heck, even if you are), give this tasty drink a shot and I bet it will quickly become part of your daily morning routine.

Maca Cocoa Latte {low-carb; dairy-free option; coffee alternative}

Maca Cocoa Latte {coffee alternative}

Yield: 2 4oz cups
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

  • 6 oz Heavy Cream, or Full-Fat Coconut Milk for dairy-free
  • 2 oz Water
  • 1 tsp Maca Powder
  • 1 Tbsp Natural Cocoa Powder, or Lakanto Drinking Chocolate (see notes))
  • 2 scoops MCT Oil Powder
  • 1/8 tsp Ground Cinnamon
  • 1 pinch Real Salt
  • 1 tsp Pure Vanilla Extract
  • Sweetener of Choice, to taste (see notes)

Instructions

  1. Add the cream (or coconut milk), water, maca, cocoa, MCT oil powder, cinnamon, salt, and sweetener to a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Whisk until the powders are incorporated into the liquids, about a minute.
  2. Continue whisking occasionally as the cream heats up. Taste it about halfway through and if it is sweet enough to your liking, leave it as-is. If it needs more, add it now and taste again. Repeat until you get it where you want it.
  3. Before it comes to a boil, spoon out a little of the cocoa and taste it to be sure it's the right temperature for you (you don't want to burn your tongue on it), remove from heat. Add the vanilla.
  4. Put an immersion blender directly into the pan, placed on the bottom, and turn onto the highest setting, moving it around the bottom in a circular motion. Continue this for about a minute to emulsify the cocoa and add foam to the top.
  5. Alternately, pour the prepared cocoa into a blender and run on HIGH for 30-45 seconds. This will give you a lot of thick foam on top (which I really like).
  6. Pour directly into a large mug (not a regular small one or it might not all fit) and top with an additional sprinkle of ground cinnamon, if desired. Settling may occur if you don't drink it right away, so stir it up after a little while.

Notes

  • Nutrition Facts were calculated using Heavy Cream and a no-calorie sweetener. Carb-count will change if you use a natural sweetener like honey.
  • I use a scant 1/8 tsp of Stevia Glycerite or a tsp or 2 of Golden Lakanto Monkfruit Sweetener to get my preferred sweetness.
  • OMIT sweetener altogether if you're using Lakanto Drinking Chocolate in place of cocoa powder.
  • This recipe makes a large mug of cocoa. My husband drinks the full 8-ish ounces, while I prefer to drink half and save the rest for the next day.
Nutrition Information
Yield 2 Serving Size 1 (4oz) cup
Amount Per Serving Calories 433Total Fat 38gSaturated Fat 26gUnsaturated Fat 0gCholesterol 116mgSodium 53mgCarbohydrates 6gFiber 2gProtein 2g

Nutrition is calculated by a third party and may not be 100% accurate

This coffee alternative drink is the perfect pick-me-up in the morning and has added hormone regulating benefits. Plus, it's low in carbs and high in healthy fats thanks to MCT oil.

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Anna-Lisa Hackett

Sunday 16th of May 2021

Yum, I’m gunna try a cold version of this!

Diana Moreno

Saturday 19th of January 2019

Que buena receta!!!

Es posible usar chocolate 90%?

Jenny

Saturday 17th of November 2018

Do u use “canned” coconut milk for dairy free?

Kendra Benson

Saturday 17th of November 2018

Yup. The "drinking beverage' in shelf-stable cartons is not the same as full-fat coconut milk in cans.

El

Wednesday 20th of June 2018

Is this caffeine free?

Kendra Benson

Saturday 23rd of June 2018

There is about 12mg of caffeine in 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder, but none in the maca.

Patty

Tuesday 15th of May 2018

How much can one make in advance and how long would that be good for? I would love to try this since I cannot have coffee anymore, but I really don't want to have to go through this process everyday ;)

Can't wait to try this!

Alicia

Tuesday 19th of February 2019

Making fresh almond milk to replace the cream would save calories, make it vegan and add nutrition (I use 1/4 Cup almonds to a full cup of water and strain out the solids to use in another recipe), plus an 1/8 teaspoon or more agar agar would lessen the settling, keeping the beverage from separating and agar agar is keto-friendly and a source of astaxanthin. This recipe would make diabetics very happy! Thank you, Kendra.

Kendra Benson

Tuesday 15th of May 2018

I usually make 2-4 times more than I need at one time and store the extras in glass canning jars (single-serving size) then reheat as needed. I'd say no more than a week in advance.

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