I’m the Queen of  sipping hot water or herbal tea throughout the day.  Ever since reading Deepak Chopra’s “Perfect Weight” decades ago and had my eyes opened to the cleansing benefits of drinking hot water, I’ve done it ever since.  If the concept sounds strange, just try and picture washing a sink full of soiled dishes with cold water and it’ll make more sense.  My body actually prefers hot or warm water now that it knows and feels the difference.

Sooo…how hot and sticky does it have to be for me to want a cool drink? Let’s just say the weather in upstate New York has been cloyingly similar to that of a tropical rain forest these past weeks.  Yesterday was one too many days of feeling like I was immersed in Orlando-in-July so I chilled some leftover espresso and set about making a remedy that would both cool me off and give me a caffeinated jolt that tasted like a liquid dessert.

You didn’t actually think I got in my car in search of a Dunkin’ Donuts or Starbucks for relief did you?  Those frothy, seductive-looking dessert drinks are not only loaded with dairy and sugar, a large one supplies almost a day’s worth of calories.  No thanks. I’ll make my own.  Now, I’m not suggesting that espresso is nourishing.  It simply tastes good, and that’s enough for me. A couple of good, strong shots blended with unsweetened almond milk plus a few drops of Stevia and I’m on my way!

If I’m in the mood for mocha, I add a tablespoon of organic cocoa powder or Coco-Mojo, a wonderful powdered elixir my nutritionist Nancy Guberti suggested in order to aid chocolate cravings in a healthy way. She reccomends it because it goes a step beyond being organic cocoa powder sweetened with organic coconut palm sugar. It also has herbs and dried mushrooms which are said to boost the immune system.  I know mushrooms and chocolate as a pairing sounds thoroughly unappetizing, but I assure you there’s no taste of mushrooms or herbs whatsoever. Just sublimely sweet chocolate.

Hope you’ll try this next time you get a craving:

Espresso Mocha Delight

2 shots of espresso, or very strong coffee, chilled (about a third of a cup)

1 cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk, cold

6-8 drops of Stevia, or sweetener of your choice

1 TBS. organic cocoa powder or Coco Mojo *

Optional: 2-3 ice cubes

* Coco Mojo is already sweetened so if you’re using it, no need to add extra sweetener

Place all ingredients in a blender, cover tightly and blend for about a minute until smooth.  Serve immediately (in a chilled glass if your heatwave is really unbearable)