Pomegranate Hot Chocolate

Pomegranate Hot Chocolate is the coziest, antioxidant-packed #CrazyHealthy drink with POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. There’s no added sugar and it can easily be made vegan/ dairy-free. By posting this recipe I am entering a recipe contest sponsored by POM Wonderful and am eligible to win prizes associated with the contest. I was not compensated for my time.

Do you follow me on Instagram? If not, you totally should. I love to use the poll feature in Instagram stories where you guys can vote on more of what you want to see, don’t want to see, or we can bond over things we have in common (or you can realize how weird I am…). Anyway, I wasn’t sure if Pomegranate Hot Chocolate would be too “out there” for you guys, but in the poll the majority thought Pomegranate Hot Chocolate sounded delicious and wanted the recipe, so here we are!

Admittedly, I’ve been totally pomegranate-obsessed lately with my recent Pomegranate Lentil Butternut Salad and Pomegranate Cherry Chia Pudding recipes. Well, when I was testing various pomegranate chia pudding recipes, I stumbled upon a concoction that tasted like a pomegranate hot chocolate….and it was good. I honestly never would have dreamed up Pomegranate Hot Chocolate, but when I tasted it (and then made it again in case it was a fluke), I was so presently surprised!

This Pomegranate Hot Chocolate has just three ingredients, can easily be made vegan/ dairy-free, and has zero added sugar. On top of all that, it’s loaded with antioxidants and health benefits making it #CrazyHealthy.

This recipe calls for a full 8 ounces of POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice in one serving. Why is this important? Because the research that includes POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice and its beneficial effects on muscle strength recovery, memory and cognition, microbiome, and more all use 8 oz per day. And it’s no wonder that 8 oz of pomegranate juice daily can pack so many nutrients and why they say POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice is powered by antioxidants. One single 8 oz bottle contains a unique blend of polyphenol antioxidants from TWO WHOLE POMEGRANATES (including the fruit, the pith, and the ring) – that’s incredible!

Not super clear on what antioxidants are, how they work, and why they’re a big deal? Check out yesterday’s post for the easiest explanation about antioxidants and free radicals you’ll ever read. 

Now, when it comes to the effects of heat/ cooking on antioxidants, that’s an area where we need to continue to look at evolving research. There’s some research available on the effects of heat and different cooking methods on antioxidant activity, but there are a lot of variables. Some antioxidants, like lycopene, actually increase antioxidant activity when heat is applied. Many other antioxidants, like polyphenols, may exhibit decreased antioxidant activity.

Other variables include cooking method (research actually shows microwaving having a lower impact on antioxidant activity than other cooking methods like boiling), and the extent and duration of heating (like how hot is something being cooked and how long is the cooking process/ heat being applied).

With this Pomegranate Hot Chocolate, you can certainly heat it on the stove if desired, but I ultimately microwaved mine for one-and-a-half to two minutes, just long enough to warm it (don’t boil!).

Then all you have to do is mix in cacao or cocoa powder with either a whisk, or in a blender (works faster!) and you’re good to go! Or you can go fancy and top it with some whipped cream or coconut cream, cacao powder, and pomegranate arils. 😉

Planning on making a cozy mug of Pomegranate Hot Chocolate? Be sure to share a pic on social media (like the NTF Facebook Page and Instagram), tagging myself (@nutritiontofit) and POM Wonderful (@pomwonderful) with the hashtag #CrazyHealthy! Be well!

Pomegranate Hot Chocolate

Course: Dessert, Drinks

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Servings: 1

Calories: 230 kcal

Author: Lindsey Janeiro, RDN, CLT

Pomegranate Hot Chocolate is the coziest, antioxidant-packed #CrazyHealthy drink with POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice. There's no added sugar and it can easily be customized to your allergies, sensitivities, and preferences.

free from: dairy, gluten, soy, egg, fish, shellfish, peanuts, tree nuts

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Ingredients

• 8 oz POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice
• 1/2 cup coconut milk (I used lite canned coconut milk, but you can use any kind of milk/ milk substitute)
• 2 Tbsp cacao powder (or cocoa powder)
• Optional toppings: whipped cream or whipped coconut cream cocoa powder, fresh pomegranate arils.

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

1. Heat pomegranate juice and milk/ milk substitute in the microwave for 1.5-2 minutes, or until gentle warmed. (You can also warm in a small pot on the stove top over medium heat for a few minutes until warm.)
2. Blend heated pomegranate milk mixture with cacao or cocoa powder on medium speed for 30-60 seconds until completely blended.
3. Pour into a mug and enjoy immediately.

Recipe Notes

Nutrition information was calculated with lite canned coconut milk; it will vary based on the milk you choose.

Nutrition Facts

Pomegranate Hot Chocolate

Amount Per Serving (0 g)

Calories 230 Calories from Fat 72

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 8g 12%

Saturated Fat 7g 35%

Cholesterol 0mg 0%

Sodium 106mg 4%

Potassium 649mg 19%

Total Carbohydrates 39g 13%

Dietary Fiber 3g 12%

Sugars 28g

Protein 2g 4%

Calcium 3.9%

Iron 9.6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.