The Enchanted Greenhouse: Honeyed Rose Hot Cocoa Recipe for A Cozy Mug
In The Enchanted Greenhouse by Sarah Beth Durst, librarian Terlu wakes in the middle of a beautiful forest covered in the deepness of winter to find herself all alone. Alone, cold, and confused. Until she stumbles into a complex of lush greenhouses filled with plants tended by a handsome grumpy gardener named Yarrow (who also happens to be an amazing cook!).
Coziness ensues as Terlu and Yarrow find themselves working alongside one another in an effort to save the greenhouses, which are failing one by one leaving the plants inside to die. It is a mystery indeed and happily, Terlu has training and knowledge on her side to help her decipher tomes from the wizard who created the greenhouses.
All this concentration takes sustenance. With access to plenty of delicious herbs, fruits, and vegetables, Yarrow is able to create delicious dishes to support Terlu. What could be better than hot chocolate during a research session on a cold winter day?
“She took a sip.
It was like drinking a sunset, where the sun had stained the clouds the deepest, richest rose. Molten sunshine was dripping down her throat…
She took another sip, closed her eyes, and let the warm chocolate spread through her. It felt as if her blood had been replaced by chocolate.”
Well, that is some goooooood hot chocolate! I am sure this recipe isn’t quite as magical as Yarrow’s hot chocolate but I can dream and am sharing that dream with you!
This recipe brings rosy goodness from the greenhouses together with the honey that Terlu and Yarrow so often enjoy and a bit of ashwagandha for extra centering support. It is rich in herbs that support the nervous system too. I hope you enjoy it!
Make Your Own Honeyed Rose Hot Cocoa
A Bit About The Herbs In This Brew
Chocolate (Theobroma cacao)
It is a lovely thing that chocolate can be a healthful food when used in moderation and kept in true to its dark, bitter state. It was a very happy day for me when my acupuncturist told me, “You really need to eat more dark chocolate.” High in antioxidants and magnesium, bitter in flavor, chocolate is used by herbalists to help support the cardiovascular system. Chocolate is also well known as an aphrodisiac. Chocolate does contain caffeine that can be irritating for some folks. Enjoy this food in moderation.
Roses (Rosa spp.)
This beautiful flower has been used for thousands of years to support many body systems and as a symbol of the heart and love. As a gentle nervine, rose petals are thought to provide a balm for the spirit. Energetically roses are used to uplift and open the heart while at the same time helping to ease grief and soothe the nervous system.
These lovely blooms are also known to have astringent, cooling, and anti-inflammatory properties which make them useful internally for colds and coughs with excess mucus. Rose petals happily make their way into body care applications to help tone and soothe the skin. Rose features as one of the flowering herbs in our free Ebook, Page to Petal! Get your copy here.
Find a bounty of ways to enjoy roses here.
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)
The powdered root is added to this recipe for its adaptogenic and nervine properties. As an adaptogen ashwagandha is used to soothe the effects of stress. This root also celebrates a calming action. My experience is that ashwagandha provides a foundational calming much like a cozy home can provide. For this reason, I love to add it to hot cocoa blends for comfort.
Ashwagandha is generally considered safe and is used as a tonic plant however it is best to avoid during pregnancy and for those with hyperthyroidism, hemochromatosis, or nightshade allergies (Winston & Maimes, 2007).
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia)
Did you know that vanilla has herbal properties? It is not just delicious, vanilla is an aphrodisiac, anti-depressant, and nervine. It is thought to help provide a sense of calm while also increasing focus (Herbal Academy, 2014).
Beyond the kitchen, vanilla is lovely infused into carrier oils for use in body care applications such as lip balms, scrubs, and massage oils!
I hope this recipe provides an uplifting floral calm and perhaps inspires you to get creative with your very own mug of hot cocoa. If you haven’t read The Enchanted Greenhouse yet, you can pick up a copy from Bookshop.org below:
Until next time nerdy fairies, wishing you the coziest herbal day.
References
Groves, M. N. (2016). Body Into Balance. North Adams, MA: Storey Publishing.
Herbal Academy. (2014). 2 Must-Try Vanilla Recipes. Retrieved on 2/10/2026 from: https://theherbalacademy.com/blog/vanilla-recipes-three-ways/?ap_id=MamaRosemary
Winston, D., Maimes, S. (2007). Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
