A rich, raspberry flavoured mocha will warm you right down to your toes, no matter the weather. Low carb and sugar-free.
It’s February, it’s freezing and I am in full-throttle hot drink mode. I can’t get enough. I drink my coffee in the morning, I take the kids to school, I come home and I instantly start whipping up another hot drink. We got hit with a nice fat heating bill last month and so I am fighting the urge to crank up the thermostat at every passing fancy. I pile on the sweaters and wrap my hands around a nice hot cuppa something. Sometimes it’s a simple as herbal tea or another cup of coffee. But sometimes I want to get all fancy-pants. And who can blame me? A yummy fancy-pants coffee that you can make in the comfort of your own home and that doesn’t cost $5 a pop is a great way to ward off the winter chill.
If you happen to own a good hand blender or immersion blender, you can get super-extra-fancy-pants and make foamy lattes and cappuccinos. I just wrote a tutorial for The Kitchenthusiast, the KitchenAid blog, on how to use their 5-speed hand blender to make your own coffee bar drinks at home. I used to be quite the barista, back in my university days so I come from a place of experience. And in the absence of a home espresso machine, the frother blade on the 5-speed hand blender can work some serious magic! I hope you’ll check it out. Be Your Own Barista on The Kitchenthusiast.
But even if you lack a hand blender, you can have plenty of fun making your own hot drinks at home. This way, of course, you get to control the carbs and sugar content. You can use your favourite sweeteners and sweeten to taste. And a little flavouring goes a long way to shaking up the winter doldrums. I picked up some of this raspberry emulsion from Lorann Oils a while ago and it was a flash of inspiration to add a little to into my sugar-free mocha one day. It was so good, I’ve been making them almost daily ever since. Raspberry emulsion is stronger than other raspberry extracts so you have to go a little lightly. But the combination of chocolate and raspberry is always a winner in my books. This drink is rich, warming and delicious.
Raspberry Truffle Mochas – Low Carb and Gluten-Free
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk you can also use the coconut milk that comes in cartons
- 1/2 to 3/4 cup strongly brewed coffee I like to use the Starbucks VIA packets mixed with hot water
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder for this recipe, I prefer lighter cocoa powder like Scharffen Berger or Ghirardelli
- 2 tbsp Swerve Sweetener
- 1/2 tsp Raspberry Emulsion or 3/4 tsp raspberry extract
- Dollop whipped cream optional, lightly sweetened with stevia or Swerve
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine almond milk, coffee, cream, cocoa powder and sweetener.
- Whisk until well combined and then bring to a gentle simmer.
- Add raspberry emulsion or raspberry extract.
- Divide between two mugs, top with whipped cream if desired, and serve.
