I Tried the Viral Bone Broth Hot Chocolate (Yes, Bone Broth) and I'm Making It on Repeat All Winter Long

I’m very particular when it comes to my hot chocolate. So particular, in fact, that there were years of my childhood when I rejected the very notion of the dessert beverage because it paled in comparison to the rich decadence of a chocolate bar.

In a quest to never sip on a watered-down, not-at-all-chocolatey cup ever again, I've spent a lot of time (and so much chocolate) testing all sorts of hot cocoa recipes—ones that are call for milk, just water (again why?), different types of chocolate varieties (as it turns out, red velvet hot chocolate exists), etc.

But just when I thought I'd seen it all when it comes to hot chocolate, the universe (aka the internet) has pulled me in yet again with this viral hot chocolate ingredient that 100% has never occurred to me before. Content creator @saltygirlfiles, recently shared the idea of making hot chocolate with bone broth and I was perplexed and intrigued and knew that I definitely had to give it a try. Here's what happened when I made this savory-sweet combo in my kitchen.

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What Is Bone Broth?

You've likely heard of bone broth, but just in case, it's the savory, collagen-rich liquid you get when you simmer animal bones in a pot of water, with or without vegetables and other seasonings.

Celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow to Kylie Jenner swear by bone broth, and for good reason. Drinking bone broth every day is said to reduce inflammation in your digestive tract, because it’s filled with nutrient-rich minerals, amino acids, vitamins and fatty acids. The liquid can also help strengthen your bones and teeth.

Related: 8 Homemade Broth Recipes So Good You'll Drink Them

Why You Should Add Bone Broth to Hot Chocolate

If you swap out part of the liquid in hot chocolate for bone broth, you'll get the nutritional benefits of bone broth and a chocolatey treat too. Online fans report that bone broth hot chocolate is a little savory and very satisfying but doesn't taste like you put chocolate bars in your chicken noodle soup.

Related: How to Order Mexican Hot Chocolate at Starbucks

How to Make Bone Broth Hot Chocolate

According to the TikTok video, the creator used one cup of chicken bone broth, 1/2 cup of the milk of your choice, one packet of hot chocolate and a splash of maple syrup.

I will always prefer my hot chocolate to be thick and creamy, but because I don’t drink milk, I opted for water as recommended on the hot chocolate's packaging. (I went with the Trader Joe's hot cocoa mix packets.) Brodo chicken bone broth is my personal choice because it’s chef-crafted and already comes in a simple one-cup-serving package (AKA exactly what the recipe calls for).

RELATED: We Tried 12 Popular Hot Chocolate Mixes and the Winner Was a Total Surprise

My Honest Review of Bone Broth Hot Chocolate

Bone broth hot chocolate was a slam dunk for me. If I had added marshmallows, whipped cream and milk, I'm sure it would have been extra delicious. You can taste the chicken broth just slightly—it in no way overpowers the chocolate. It took me all of five minutes to create this broth-y chocolate goodness, and another five to let it cool enough for me to take a sip.

This recipe is a fun and simple way to curb your sweet tooth and get your nutrients in, too. To put a final stamp on it, I’d say it's officially approved by this picky hot chocolate drinker.

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