Recipes
Ceremonial Cacao Recipes
Discover nourishing drinks, elixirs, and desserts that honor Mayan tradition while fitting seamlessly into your modern sacred kitchen.
The Traditional Way
Ceremonial Cacao Recipe
This is the most traditional way to make ceremonial cacao, and how it is served in Mayan cacao ceremonies here in Guatemala.
What you will need: a favorite mug, 200 ml of water for each cup, and your ceremonial cacao, finely chopped so it melts with ease.
- 40–45 g of ceremonial cacao per cup
- A pinch of chili (yes, you read that right)
- A pinch of salt
- Cardamom
Method: Gently warm 200 ml of water per cup, then slowly sprinkle in your chopped cacao. Stir with presence and patience, keeping the water just below a boil so the cacao can open softly into the liquid.
Optional: For an extra touch of sweetness, add a little raw honey or panela and stir until it dissolves like sunlight into the cup.
That's it, simple, comforting, and deeply nourishing. Take a breath, give thanks, and enjoy each sip.
More Cacao Recipe Inspiration
If you're looking to spice it up a little.
Here are some ideas that you may like.
Fire Cacao
35 g cacao (or less, adapt to your body and mood), 200 ml hot water, 1 tsp maple syrup, a pinch of cayenne, grated orange zest.
Whisk cacao with water until smooth, then stir in the remaining ingredients.
Heart Elixir for Self Love
Ceremonial dose: 42 g cacao (or less), 220 ml hot water, 1 tsp food-grade rose petals or rose water, 1 tsp agave or honey.
Simmer petals briefly in water, strain, then mix with cacao and sweetener.
Silk Cacao
Gentle daily microdose: 10–15 g cacao, 120 ml hot water or plant milk, a pinch of salt and cinnamon.
Stir until smooth, keep the drink light and simple, perfect for your daily morning or afternoon ritual.
Ready to Make Your Cacao Drink?