• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About
  • Recipes
  • eBooks
  • Spring
  • FREE EBOOK

Create Mindfully

menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • eBooks
  • Spring
  • FREE EBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • eBooks
    • Spring
    • FREE EBOOK
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Beverages and Cocktails

    Modified: Dec 31, 2024 · Published: Apr 10, 2021 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Cold Brew Cacao

    Jump to Recipe Pin

    This chocolate tea is cold brewed just like cold brew coffee. Cold Brew Cacao is a healthy way to start your day.

    Cold Brew Cacao with almond milk being poured in.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Cacao nibs are something that I always have in my pantry. I like to blend them into smoothies and sprinkle them in vegan yogurt.

    Sometimes I make a quick dessert with a frozen banana, frozen raspberries, and cacao nibs on top.

    I like to add maple syrup to them to make Candied Caco Nibs. They also taste good coated in chocolate, like my Chocolate Covered Cacao Nibs recipe.

    If you prefer, you can make Cacao Tea. It has the same chocolaty flavor as this recipe.

    Jump to:
    • What Do Cacao Nibs Taste Like?
    • Do Cacao Nibs Have Caffeine?
    • ❤️ Why You'll Love It
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • Other Vegan Drinks
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    What Do Cacao Nibs Taste Like?

    If you have never had them before, they have a bitter chocolaty flavor. Cacao nibs are pieces of roasted cacao beans and have no sugar.

    Do Cacao Nibs Have Caffeine?

    Cacao nibs do have caffeine. According to the Navitas website, cacao has 41 mg of caffeine per 3 tablespoons of cacao nibs. In comparison brewed coffee has 80-135 mg of caffeine.

    ❤️ Why You'll Love It

    • If you like chocolate, this recipe is for you. It has a wonderful subtle chocolate flavor.
    • Customize it to your liking. Add a splash of almond milk or vegan creamer.
    • It's a great pick-me-up. Have it instead of your morning coffee.

    🧾 Ingredients

    Cold brew cacao ingredients on a cutting board with labels.
    • Cacao nibs: Add a deep rich chocolate flavor.
    • Maple syrup: Adds sweetness. Use your favorite sweetener.
    • Water
    • Almond milk (optional): Adds a sweet creamy flavor. Use your favorite plant-based milk or creamer.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    Top 10 Vegan Recipes ebook cover.

    FREE EBOOK!

    Sign Up For My Newsletter

    Get a FREE ebook with my Top 10 Vegan Recipes as a welcome gift!

    Unsubscribe at any time.

    🔪 Instructions

    Ground cacao nibs in a coffee grinder.

    Step 1: Coarsely grind cacao nibs in a coffee grinder or Nutribullet with the milling blade.

    Ground cacao nibs in a mason jar with water.

    Step 2: Steep coarsely ground cacao nibs and water in a mason jar for 24 hours.

    Cacao nibs in a fine mesh strainer over a measuring cup.

    Step 3: Using a fine mesh strainer or nut milk bag, strain out cacao nibs. Discard cacao nibs or use them in a smoothie.

    Cold Brew Cacao in mason jar with almond milk.

    Add maple syrup or your favorite sweetener and almond milk or another non-dairy milk.

    You can also add coarsely ground cacao nibs in with your coarsely ground coffee beans to make Cold Brew Cacao Coffee or steep cacao nibs like you would tea.

    Cold Brew Cacao in mason jar with ice.

    Other Vegan Drinks

    • Cold Brew Thai Iced Coffee in a glass with a spoonful of sweetened condensed coconut milk.
      Cold Brew Thai Iced Coffee
    • Homemade Almond Milk
      Homemade Almond Milk
    • Raspberry Kombucha in two glasses.
      Raspberry Kombucha
    • Coconut Lemonade
      Coconut Lemonade

    If you tried this Cold Brew Cacao Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Cold Brew Cacao
    Pin Print Add to Shopping List Go to Shopping List
    5 from 2 votes

    Cold Brew Cacao

    This chocolate tea is cold brewed just like cold brew coffee. This Cold Brew Cacao is a healthy way to start your day. 
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Steep 1 day day
    Total Time 1 day day 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 2
    Calories 110kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • Coffee grinder
    • Cold Brew Coffee Maker or a jar, and a fine mesh bag or. cheesecloth

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups water
    • ¼ cup cacao nibs
    • 1 tablespoon maple syrup or other sweetener
    • Almond milk to taste (optional)

    Instructions

    • Coarsely grind cacao nibs in a coffee grinder.
    • Combine cacao nibs and water in a large jar or cold brew coffee maker.
    • Let steep in refrigerator or on countertop for 24 hours.
    • Pour mixture through fine mesh bag or cheesecloth into another jar. Discard cacao nib grounds.
    • Add maple syrup, almond milk and ice.

    💌 SAVE THIS

    I'll email this post to you, so you can come back to it later!

    Nutrition

    Calories: 110kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Sodium: 13mg | Potassium: 23mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 6g | Calcium: 18mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

    More Beverages and Cocktails

    • Cherry Mojito in a tall glass with straw.
      Cherry Mojito
    • Lavender Mojitos in two glasses.
      Lavender Mojito
    • White Christmas Mojito in two glasses.
      White Christmas Mojito
    • Chocolate Mojito in a glass with a straw.
      Chocolate Mojito

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Lois Green says

      June 29, 2024 at 3:23 pm

      You call this a tea and it's not as dark as cold brew coffee.
      But does it taste chocolatey?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        July 01, 2024 at 2:05 pm

        Hi Lois, yes it has a chocolaty flavor. It's not as strong a chocolate flavor as hot cocoa. It's not as dark cold brew coffee since it calls for cacao nibs instead of coffee beans. Another way to make cacao tea is boiling the cacao nibs, like I did in my Cacao Tea recipe.

        Reply
        • Lois says

          July 13, 2024 at 11:38 am

          Both ways sound good, although the tea sounds easier (no grinding). I'll try both. Thank you!

          Reply
    2. Andrea says

      April 28, 2023 at 1:02 pm

      Question: Do you have to roast the cacao nib’s before grinding?

      Reply
      • Willow Moon says

        April 28, 2023 at 2:26 pm

        Nope, just grind them straight out of the package.

        Reply
        • Andrea says

          April 28, 2023 at 7:13 pm

          Terrific! Thank you for the quick reply!

          Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Willow Moon with green shirt and tie dye scarf.

    Namaste, I'm Willow!

    I've been vegan for 25 years and
    gluten-free for 13 years. I share easy and delicious vegan gluten-free recipes the whole family will love! Read more →

    Spring Recipes

    • Broccoli Fritters on a plate.
      Broccoli Fritters
    • Benedictine Tea Sandwiches on a plate.
      Benedictine Tea Sandwiches
    • Green Detox Juice
      Green Detox Juice
    • Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta (vegan, gluten free) - This rich vegan gluten free pasta is perfect for date night. It has only a few ingredients, but tastes like it came from a restaurant.
      Caramelized Onion and Mushroom Pasta

    Popular Recipes

    • Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites
      Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Frozen Yogurt Bites (Vegan)
    • Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich on a plate.
      Apple Pecan Chickpea Salad Sandwich
    • Vegetable Fritter being dipped into vegan chipotle ranch dressing.
      The Most Amazing Vegetable Fritters
    • Homemade Payday Bars on parchment paper.
      Homemade Payday Bars
    • Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia pudding in a bowl.
      Chocolate Peanut Butter Chia Pudding
    • Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats
      Banana Cream Pie Overnight Oats

    Footer

    ^ back to top

    About

    • About Me
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Disclosure Policy
    • Accessibility Statement

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up for my newsletter and get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7 Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift!

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Tip Jar

    Featured In:

    A list of magazines that Create Mindfully has been featured in like Good Housekeeping, Dr. Axe, Peta, and more.

    Copyright © 2014 - 2025
    Create Mindfully - All Rights Reserved.

    Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Willow Moon and Create Mindfully with appropriate and specific direction to the original content. All photos and artwork are property of Willow Moon and Create Mindfully. Do not duplicate or copy without proper consent.

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    Let us know what you thought of this recipe:

    My family loved this!
    Thank you for sharing this recipe, I loved it!
    This worked exactly as written, thanks!

    Or write in your own words:

    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.