My Favorite Cacao Ritual Drink Recipe
A few years ago, when I began exploring different plant medicines, I was drawn to cacao. It wasn’t just a drink; it felt like a calling.
I noticed an immediate connection when I encountered ceremonial cacao. Something about it felt so familiar, so grounding, as if it had been waiting for me all along.
At first, I began working with cacao during new and full moon rituals, quietly setting intentions and sipping this sacred drink.
Over time, my connection with cacao deepened.
As someone who has always found it difficult to receive support, the spirit of cacao opened my heart in ways I didn’t think were possible.
Each sip brought an overwhelming sense of love and held space for me to feel supported…truly supported.
This simple ritual has since become an anchor in my life, a way to ground myself and connect with my intentions.
Today, I’d love to share my favorite cacao ritual drink recipe with you. I hope it inspires you to explore the magic of cacao and create space for your own moments of connection and self-love.
The Meaning of Cacao Ritual
A cacao ritual is so much more than preparing and drinking a cup of cacao. It’s an intentional practice, a sacred moment to pause, connect, and open your heart.
Traditionally, ceremonial cacao has been used for centuries by indigenous cultures in Central and South America for spiritual and healing purposes. Its rich history is steeped in reverence, with cacao often referred to as the “Food of the Gods.”
In a modern context, a cacao ritual can take many forms.
It’s an opportunity to slow down and reconnect…with yourself, your emotions, and the present moment.
Whether you’re setting intentions, meditating, journaling, or simply holding space for yourself, cacao becomes the bridge that helps deepen your connection.
For me, cacao rituals have become a way to tune into my heart and let go of what no longer serves me. The act of preparing the drink itself is meditative, and drinking cacao feels like a warm hug from the universe.
It’s a moment of stillness where I can invite more love, clarity, and gratitude into my life.
This ritual is about more than the drink, it’s about creating space for yourself, listening to your inner voice, and embracing the support and wisdom cacao offers.
About the Ingredients
One of the most beautiful aspects of a cacao ritual is the intentionality behind each ingredient.
While ceremonial-grade cacao is the heart of this drink, the additional ingredients you choose can enhance its benefits and align with your specific intentions.
Ceremonial-Grade Cacao
The star of the show. This isn’t your average cacao powder; ceremonial cacao is minimally processed, retaining all its rich nutrients and natural fats.
It’s made from heirloom cacao beans and is often sourced directly from indigenous communities that honor its sacred history. The difference is tangible…you can feel its grounding energy with every sip.
I personally use Keith’s Cacao, it’s the original ceremonial-grade cacao and trusted by many around the world for its high vibrational quality and integrity. You can purchase your brick through my affiliate link and get 5% off or if you live in Vancouver, skip the shipping fees and order directly through me using this form!
Spices
Spices like cinnamon, cayenne, or cardamom bring warmth and depth to the drink.
Each spice carries its own energetic properties, cinnamon adds sweetness and comfort, cayenne offers a fiery kick to ignite your inner power, and cardamom brings soothing balance.
Sweetener
A touch of sweetness can soften the natural bitterness of cacao.
I love using raw honey or maple syrup, not just for their flavour but also for their grounding and nourishing qualities. If you prefer a vegan option, coconut sugar or agave nectar work beautifully.
I also love adding a small spoonful of coconut oil, it adds a silky smooth texture to the drink and helps balance out the bitterness of the cacao, while offering healthy fats to support absorption.
Adaptogens
Adding adaptogens like maca, ashwagandha, or medicinal mushrooms can elevate your cacao ritual.
These plant-based ingredients are known for their stress-relieving and energy-balancing properties, making them perfect companions for ceremonial cacao.
Liquid Base
While water is traditionally used to honour the purity of cacao, you can also experiment with plant-based milks like almond, oat, or coconut milk for a creamier texture.
***It's best to avoid cow's milk or other animal-based dairy in your cacao ritual, as they can block the absorption of cacao's beneficial nutrients and diminish its energetic effects.
Every ingredient you choose adds its own unique energy to the ritual, creating a drink that is as nourishing for your body as it is for your soul.
"Cacao is a tool to open your heart"-Keith wilson, the chocolate shamanMy Favorite Cacao Ritual Drink Recipe
This is the exact recipe I come back to again and again…simple, nourishing, and deeply supportive.
Whether I’m sitting with cacao to start my day, drop into a moon ritual, or just need to reconnect with myself, this blend feels like home.
You can play with the measurements depending on the intention behind your ritual. A full ceremonial dose is around 3 tablespoons of cacao, but if I’m just easing into the day or seeking a gentler experience, I’ll go with a heaping tablespoon.
Always listen to your body…it knows what it needs.
Ingredients:
1 cup hot water (not boiling, around 170°F / 75°C is perfect)
1–3 tbsp ceremonial-grade cacao (3 tbsp for a full ceremonial dose)
1 tbsp coconut oil (for creaminess and to soften the bitterness)
A pinch of Himalayan sea salt (enhances flavour and mineral support)
¼ tsp Eversio Wellness 3-Mushroom Blend – I love this blend for an added layer of support for the nervous system and immunity.
(If you want to try the blend, this is my affiliate link and it’s a brand I truly stand behind; use code NPW15 at checkout for 15% off.)
Instructions:
Heat your water to just below boiling. You want it hot enough to melt the cacao, but not so hot that it damages its delicate compounds.
Add the cacao, coconut oil, salt, and mushroom blend stirring with a whisk.
Blend for 20–30 seconds until smooth and creamy, using a handheld frother is a game-changer!
Pour into your favourite mug, take a deep breath, and set an intention before your first sip.
This cup is your invitation to slow down and receive. Let it nourish you…body, mind, and spirit.
Creating the Ritual Atmosphere
Preparing your cacao is only part of the experience. The other part, the one that really transforms this into a ritual, is how you choose to be with it.
I like to think of cacao as a sacred pause. A chance to step away from the noise of the day and drop into something softer, slower, and more intentional.
Before I drink, I always take a moment to breathe deeply, place my hands around the mug, and set an intention. It doesn’t have to be anything big…it could be to feel grounded, to open my heart, to call in clarity, or simply to be with whatever is present.
You might want to light a candle, play calming music, sit on your favourite meditation cushion, or journal a few thoughts. Some days I’ll pull an oracle card, other days I’ll just stare out the window and sip in silence. The key is presence.
These small touches create a container for your ritual and signal to your body and spirit that something sacred is happening. It’s in these moments that cacao becomes a true ally, supporting emotional release, creative insight, or just deep, nourishing stillness.
Final Thoughts
Cacao has been one of the most beautiful gifts in my personal healing journey.
What started as a simple curiosity turned into a heart-opening, soul-nourishing ritual that continues to hold me in the most unexpected and loving ways.
If you’re new to working with cacao, I hope this recipe and ritual offer a soft place to begin. And if cacao is already part of your life, maybe this gives you a fresh perspective or a few new ideas to deepen your practice.
My wish is that this drink supports you the way it’s supported me…whether that’s through clarity, connection, or simply slowing down to receive.
Ready to begin your cacao journey? You can visit my shop page to grab your block of Keith’s Cacao.
If you try the recipe, I’d love to hear how it felt for you. Tag me on Instagram or send me a message, I always love seeing how others create their own rituals.
And if you feel called to work with cacao in a deeper way or have questions about starting your own practice, I’m here to support you.
Here’s to heart-led moments, sacred sips, and remembering that you are worthy of slowing down and receiving.
