Ancient Nutrition Bone Broth Hot Chocolate | Mug Boost

This bone broth hot chocolate from Ancient Nutrition delivers around 20g protein per scoop and ~90 calories when mixed with water.

What This Collagen Cocoa Is

Think hot cocoa with a protein twist. The powder uses dehydrated beef stock as the base, then layers cocoa and natural sweeteners. Mix a scoop into hot liquid and you get a comforting drink that doubles as a protein source.

Per scoop, the brand lists about 20 grams of protein and around 90 calories when prepared with water. That’s lean for a chocolate drink, and it stays dairy-free unless you choose milk. The protein comes from collagen peptides extracted from bones, not from whey or soy, so the amino acid profile is different.

Nutrition Snapshot By Base Liquid (Per Mug)

Base	Estimated Calories	Notes
Water + 1 scoop	~90	~20 g protein; minimal carbs
Unsweetened almond milk	~120	Light body; low sugar
Whole dairy milk	~200	Creamy; more natural sugar

Why People Sip It

The draw is simple: you get cozy cocoa flavor alongside a solid hit of collagen protein. Many use it for an afternoon pick-me-up or as a sweet-lean evening treat. It also travels well; scoops tuck into a shaker or a thermos if you’re away from the kitchen.

Compared with classic mixes, you skip a lot of sugar. The powder leans on non-nutritive sweeteners, so the mug tastes chocolatey without the usual spike. If you want a sweeter cup, add honey or maple sparingly and keep an eye on added sugars guidance on the Nutrition Facts label.

Bone Broth Chocolate Drink Basics For Everyday Use

Set expectations on taste and texture. Collagen gives a silky mouthfeel, not the milky creaminess you might expect from dairy. Using water keeps it clean and light. Using almond milk adds body without many calories. Using whole milk makes it richer and more dessert-like.

Cocoa naturally carries a touch of caffeine. The amount in a mug like this is tiny compared with coffee. Sensitive sleepers can move their cup earlier in the day.

Ingredients, Sourcing, And Label Claims

The blend is made from concentrated stock plus cocoa, flavors, and a sweetener system. The chocolate flavor is stevia- and monk fruit-sweetened, so total sugars stay low while keeping a cocoa profile. Collagen density is high for a drink mix, and each scoop lists about 20 grams of protein.

The manufacturer highlights grass-fed, pasture-raised sourcing. The mix is gluten free by design and does not include dairy ingredients, though people often make their mugs with dairy milk for extra creaminess.

How The Numbers Shift With Your Mix

Calories and carbs move with the liquid. Unsweetened almond milk adds roughly 30–40 calories per cup. Whole milk adds about 149 per cup and brings natural sugars and fat to the party. If you add syrups, whipped cream, or marshmallows, expect the count to climb fast.

Protein stays near 20 grams because that comes from the scoop, not the base liquid. Dairy milk contributes a little more protein, while almond milk barely moves the needle. If you’re tracking macros, the scoop does the heavy lifting.

How To Make A Better Mug

Start with a small amount of hot liquid and whisk the powder into a smooth paste. Then top up with more hot liquid to reach your target volume. This prevents clumps and gives a smoother sip.

Use a handheld frother for a café-style foam. A pinch of sea salt perks up cocoa. Cinnamon or orange zest adds aroma without extra sugar. If you need sweeter, try one teaspoon of maple or honey and taste before adding more.

Three Easy Methods

Quick Kettle Method

Pour 2 ounces of hot water into a mug, stir in one scoop until dissolved, then add 6 more ounces of hot water or milk. Finish with a pinch of salt.

Creamy Steamer Method

Warm 8 ounces of almond milk or dairy milk until steaming. Whisk in a scoop off heat to avoid scorching. Froth for 10 seconds.

Thermos Method

Add one scoop and 8 ounces of hot liquid to a preheated thermos. Cap, shake for 10 seconds, then sip on the go.

How It Compares With Classic Cocoa

Standard packets often land around 20–25 grams of sugar per mug once mixed with milk. This collagen-based mix keeps sugars minimal unless you add them yourself. That makes it easier to keep dessert-like flavor without the usual sugar dump.

Texture differs. Collagen thickens slightly as it cools, so keep it hot for the smoothest feel. If you miss cream, a splash of half-and-half turns it into a café treat. A dusting of cocoa on top boosts aroma without changing macros much.

Who Will Like It

It suits people who want a sweet-lean drink and also want more protein in their day. It’s handy for anyone who dislikes protein shakes but loves cocoa flavor. If you’re watching carbs or added sugars, mixing with water or unsweetened almond milk keeps the numbers tidy.

When To Sip

Mid-afternoon is a popular window. The light caffeine hit from cocoa is mild, so most people handle it well after lunch. Night owls can drink it later if they’re not sensitive to cocoa.

Label Facts You’ll Care About

The brand’s chocolate tub lists around 90 calories, ~2 grams of carbs, and about 20 grams of protein per scoop when prepared with water. That’s a lean profile for a chocolate-flavored drink and lines up with a protein-forward mug.

When you add milk, the label on your carton tells the rest of the story. One cup of whole milk adds about 149 calories along with lactose. Unsweetened almond milk adds roughly 30–40. Check a reliable database when you swap bases; a clear example is the calorie line for whole milk calories.

Mix-In Builder (Add 1 Item)

Add-In	Why People Try It	Impact
Sea salt pinch	Boosts cocoa flavor	Zero calories
Vanilla extract	Smooths sweetness	Negligible calories
Maple teaspoon	Deeper caramel note	+4 g sugar
Honey teaspoon	Round sweetness	+5 g sugar
Mini marshmallows	Classic topping	+7–10 g sugar
Half-and-half splash	Satin mouthfeel	+20–40 kcal

Safety, Allergens, And Suitability

The base is bovine-derived. If you avoid beef products, this isn’t a fit. The mix itself does not contain dairy ingredients. That said, people often prepare it with milk, which adds lactose. If you’re sensitive, stick with water or a dairy-free option.

Those tracking sugar intake can watch the line for “Includes X g added sugars” on any extras they add. That line on the panel exists so shoppers can stay under the daily limit explained by the FDA page linked above. It’s a handy check when toppings creep in.

Practical Tips For Daily Use

Rotate flavors so you don’t burn out. The chocolate tub works well in coffee as a mocha-style stir-in. It also blends into overnight oats for a protein bump without a blender.

Store the tub sealed and dry. Use the scoop level, not heaping, for consistent numbers. If you’re in a rush, pre-portion scoops into small jars to grab on busy mornings. Rinse your frother right away so residue doesn’t stick.

Sourcing, Transparency, And Trust Signals

The company publishes a supplement panel that shows calories per scoop, protein, iron, and carbs for the chocolate flavor. Some retailers also list collagen amounts per serving. Those panels are the best place to confirm what’s in your tub before you buy.

Independent databases keep records for milk calories and almond milk calories. Use them to estimate your mug when you change the base liquid. Simple checks like this keep your log honest without slowing your day.

Who Should Skip It

If you want a whey-style amino acid profile, this isn’t it. Collagen is strong in glycine and proline but lacks tryptophan. People who need a complete protein in a single serving should pair this drink with other protein sources across the day.

Bottom Line For Your Mug

For a chocolate drink that keeps sugars low and protein high, this collagen cocoa is an easy pick. Mix with water when you want lean and light. Switch to milk when you want cozy and creamy. Keep add-ins modest and you’ll steer the numbers where you want them.