A Sleepytime Perimenopause Latte with Ashwagandha Cherry-Rose Syrup & Heirloom Cacao

A mug of hot chocolate with a deep cherry-rose syrup at the bottom, warm cacao milk floating above it, and whipped cream on top. It looks like a sunset in a glass, and it’s meant to be stirred together before the first sip. It’s a gentle, creamy way to end the evening.

The syrup does the work. Frozen cherries and dried rose petals are simmered with Ashwagandha until soft and syrupy, then strained into a jar that keeps in the fridge for up to two weeks. Cherries naturally contain a little melatonin, and rose has long been associated with emotional ease and calm.* Ashwagandha is a classic Ayurvedic herb traditionally used to support the body’s response to stress.* Together they make a drink that suits the hours after dinner.

The layers come from one small technique. Tilt the glass and pour the warm cacao milk slowly over the back of a spoon, so it floats on top of the syrup instead of mixing in. Keep the milk warm but never boiling, and the layers stay clean.

The syrup makes about a cup, and each mug uses four tablespoons, so one batch covers several evenings.

What’s In the Mug

Ashwagandha is one of Ayurveda’s most revered rasayanas, traditionally used to support vitality and the body’s natural response to stress.* Simmered into the cherry syrup, it blends in with a soft earthiness that the fruit and rose absorb.

Heirloom Cacao Powder is single-origin cacao from Ecuador, naturally rich in magnesium and antioxidants, and traditionally used to support heart health and elevate mood.* It makes the hot chocolate deep and not too sweet, a good match for the tart cherry below.

Whole Rose Buds go into the syrup and onto the finished mug. They’re organic Rosa damascena blooms grown in Morocco, long used as a heart-centered botanical for calm and emotional ease.*

RECIPE

Syrup prep time: 25 minutes, plus cooling
Hot chocolate prep time: 5 minutes
Serves: 1 (syrup makes about 1 cup)
Recipe by: Silvia Bifaro

Ingredients

Cherry Rose Ashwagandha Syrup:

• 1 cup frozen pitted cherries
• ¼ cup Anima Mundi dried rose petals or buds
• 1 tsp Anima Mundi Ashwagandha Powder
• ½ cup clear honey, light-coloured vegan syrup, or sugar

Hot Chocolate:

• 60 ml (4 Tbsp) cherry rose ashwagandha syrup
• 1 Tbsp Anima Mundi Cacao Powder
• 1 cup milk of choice, warmed
• Whipped cream, for topping
• Anima Mundi dried rose petals or buds, for garnish

Method

Part One: The syrup

1. In a small saucepan, combine the frozen cherries, rose petals, ashwagandha powder, and sweetener. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring frequently until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
2. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 10–15 minutes, until the cherries are soft and the liquid is syrupy. Gently mash the cherries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher to release more juice.
3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve into a clean bowl or jar, pressing on the solids to extract as much syrup as possible. Discard the solids.
4. Let the syrup cool completely. Store in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Part Two: The hot chocolate

1. In a small saucepan, whisk together the cacao powder and warmed milk until smooth and fully combined. Keep warm over low heat, but do not let it boil.
2. Pour the cherry rose ashwagandha syrup into a tall glass or mug. Tilt the glass slightly and pour the warm chocolate milk over the back of a spoon so it floats on top of the syrup in a distinct layer.
3. Top with a generous dollop of whipped cream and drizzle a little extra syrup over the cream.
4. Garnish with a sprinkle of dried rose petals or buds.
5. Serve immediately, and stir the layers together before drinking.

Shop The Ingredients

Ashwagandha: Ayurvedic rasayana for vitality, stress resilience, and grounded calm*

Heirloom Cacao Powder: single-origin Ecuadorian cacao, rich in magnesium and antioxidants, traditionally used to support heart health and mood*

Whole Rose Buds: organic Rosa damascena blooms from Morocco, for a calming, heart-opening finish*

Find more cozy evening recipes in the Blog.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases.