The holiday season is right around the corner, and you know what that means… hot chocolate!!

I love the idea of hot chocolate.

Imagine walking down a warmly lit street, soft snow falling, your new Burberry coat on as you stroll into a small and homey coffee shop to get that delicious seasonal drink.

Or you are cuddled up on the couch in Skim's latest drop, watching a Christmas movie as you raise a warm cup of hot chocolate to your lips; the feeling of Christmas is here.

I think writing that made me tear up.

Except I despise hot chocolate.

I hate it.

It tastes gross and makes me feel worse.

It's literally disgusting; I'll stick to my peppermint mocha, thanks.

But I try so hard to like it, to live out that dreamy scene I just described.

But every time I order it or make it, it just tastes so bad, and after two sips, my stomach feels horrible, and I just feel worse (even if I get oat milk).

So I decided no more.

This year I want to enjoy this festive drink at the most wonderful time of the year.

So after lots of experimenting, I created the It-Girl version of hot chocolate. It's vegan, super healthy, tastes fantastic, and you actually feel better after drinking it.

Healthy Vegan Hot Chocolate Recipe

Instructions:

1. Add plant milk to a saucepan over medium heat
2. Once the milk is warm, add remaining ingredients and stir
3. Turn off the heat and pour the drink into your favorite mug
4. Optional: froth some extra plant milk and add it on top for a foamy finish

And voila! You can adjust the sweetness to your liking, totally up to you. The cacao powder has many benefits; it's anti-inflammatory, lowers blood pressure, and is excellent for the skin. I love substituting cacao powder whenever I can, and this recipe is perfect for it.