Lion’s Mane recipe
Lion's Mane Cacao
A rich Lion's Mane hot chocolate made with cacao, warm milk and 1 g of 10:1 Lion's Mane extract powder. Smooth, lightly spiced and ready in five minutes.
Servings
1
Prep time
2 minutes
Cook time
3 minutes
Total time
5 minutes
Difficulty
Easy
This Lion's Mane cacao is a smooth, lightly spiced hot chocolate made with cacao powder, warm milk and 1 g of Lion's Mane extract powder.
Cacao's bitterness and the extract's earthy note work naturally together, so the mushroom sits quietly in the background.
It is an easy afternoon drink for anyone who enjoys Lion's Mane, a mushroom traditionally used in East Asian cooking.
Ingredients
7 items · tick off as you go
The extract in this recipe
Lion’s Mane Extract Powder · 10:1 fruiting body
Grown in Thomastown, Victoria. No added starch, grain, mycelium or fillers.
Equipment
Method
- 1Make a pasteIn your mug, combine the cacao, Lion's Mane extract powder, cinnamon and salt with the 40 ml (2 tbsp) of hot water. Stir to a smooth paste.
- 2Warm the milkHeat the milk gently in a saucepan or frother to around 65°C, without boiling.
- 3CombinePour a little warm milk into the paste and whisk, then add the rest, whisking until frothy.
- 4Sweeten and serveStir in maple syrup to taste and dust with a little extra cacao.
Recipe notes
Making a paste first stops both the cacao and the extract from clumping.
Cacao and cocoa can be swapped one for one: cacao powder tends to taste more bitter and slightly fruity, while cocoa is rounder and more like familiar chocolate, so choose by flavour.
If you use sweetened drinking chocolate instead, skip the maple syrup. Oat milk makes a particularly creamy version.
Cacao naturally contains caffeine and theobromine, and the amount varies by product and serve. Store the extract powder sealed in a cool, dry place.
This recipe uses a single 1 g serve and is a food recipe, not a health product.
Pairing
Pair with a square of dark chocolate or a couple of oat biscuits for a simple afternoon break.
Why this extract
10:1
Fruiting body extract
32.2%
Beta-glucans in a tested blend with 1% BioPerine (Symbio, May 2026)
0
Added starch, grain or fillers
Lab results apply to the sample tested, not every batch. See the lab results
Nutrition (per serve)
Estimated values per serve, made with 250 ml full cream milk and 1 tsp maple syrup. Estimated, to confirm.
| Nutrient | Per serve |
|---|---|
| Energy | 870 kJ (208 cal) |
| Protein | 10 g |
| Total fat | 10 g |
| Saturated fat | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 19 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
| Sodium | 110 mg |
FAQs
1. How much Lion's Mane extract goes in hot chocolate?
This recipe uses 1 g of Lion's Mane extract powder, the standard serving for our 10:1 extract. Weigh it on a digital scale for consistency, then mix it into a paste with the cacao first so it disperses evenly through the drink.
2. Can you taste Lion's Mane in a cacao drink?
Very little. Cacao is naturally bitter and full-flavoured, so the mild, earthy note of Lion's Mane extract blends into the chocolate. A pinch of salt and a little maple syrup round out the flavour so the drink tastes like a rich hot chocolate.
3. Can I use cocoa instead of cacao?
Yes, use the same quantity. Choose by flavour: cacao powder tends to be more bitter and slightly fruity, while cocoa gives a rounder, more familiar chocolate taste. Avoid sweetened drinking chocolate unless you also leave out the maple syrup.
4. Does Lion's Mane cacao contain caffeine?
Yes, a little. Cacao naturally contains caffeine and theobromine, and the amount varies between products and with how much you use. Lion's Mane extract itself is not a source of caffeine.
5. Can I make Lion's Mane cacao dairy free?
Yes. Oat, almond, soy and coconut milk all work well. Oat milk gives the creamiest result, while coconut milk adds richness. Heat plant milks gently and whisk well, since some separate if they get too hot.
6. Can I make Lion's Mane cacao iced?
Yes. Make the paste with hot water as described so the cacao and extract disperse evenly, then add cold milk and pour over ice. Stir before drinking, since a little powder can settle in cold drinks.
For cafés and brands
Put this drink on your menu, or under your label.
Bulk extract in 1 kg and 5 kg packs, plus white and private label powder and capsules.
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