Gingerbread Cookie Cacao Drink

From edible houses to candy studded gingerbread men to spiced loaves of cake-like bread — and now to Gingerbead Cookie Cacao drink! — no confection symbolizes the holidays quite like gingerbread. In fact, gingerbread is so remarkably popular that whole books are written about it! 

Apparently, the word gingerbread originates from the Latin zingiber, which has nothing to do with 'bread' but simply meant preserved ginger (Wikipedia). The first known recipe for gingerbread, kind of as we know it, came from Greece in 2400 BC, at least according to Rhonda Massingham Hart's Making Gingerbread Houses (sold on Amazon). In those days, it was baked to be firm and used exclusively for religious and ceremonial purposes. 

It came to Europe in 992 via an Armenian monk, or so the history goes, and by this time, gingerbread baking was already quite sophisticated. Bakers used specially made molds to create the images of their local saints and other important religious characters.

The religious and ceremonial use of gingerbread continued until the 17th century. It was then that it became associated with the Christmas holidays. Since the creation of religious icons — even in edible forms — was seen as a sacred and prestigious practice, it was strictly controlled by royalty, who only permitted gingerbread to be prepared by specially trained gingerbread guild members. Except during Christmas and Easter, when everyone was allowed to partake in this activity! Hence, most people could only enjoy the sweet dessert during this time of the year. And that is how it came to be seen as a Christmas delicacy!

Our take on this Christmas treat is an amazing, festive drink, packed with spice, flavor, and nostalgia in a cup. The kind that wraps you in a warm hug while you indulge in that familiar cookie bliss, taking you back to yesteryear.  

This recipe is packed with additional health benefits; powerful antioxidants, immunity-boosting ingredients, and warming spices to stimulate metabolism while promoting uplifting mood-enhancing sensations. Now add in those intoxicating, festive aromatics, combined with Keith's amazing ceremonial cacao; the only thing missing is a yule log! 

This is a fun, playful recipe. Give it a try. Let yourself get lost in the aroma of the spices, and let us know what you think!