Roses & Cacao: A Small Ritual Before Painting
Looking for an easy ceremonial cacao recipe to open your heart before painting, meditating, or journaling? Here’s my favorite blend: cacao with rose petals, a gentle ritual to awaken creativity and connect with love.
Before I pick up my brushes and step into the flow of color, I take a small moment for myself, a little ritual that grounds me and opens my heart. One of my favorite ways to do this is with ceremonial cacao infused with rose petals.
Cacao has always been a creative ally for me (you can read more about it here). Its gentle stimulation awakens the heart, softens the mind, and helps me connect with my own inner rhythm. Rose petals, with their delicate fragrance and love-filled energy, add a layer of warmth and tenderness. Together, they create a drink that’s both nourishing and meditative, perfect for the moments before painting or drumming.
A Note on Cacao
Ceremonial cacao is very different from regular cocoa powder. It comes in solid paste or block form, made from whole cacao beans that are ground without removing the natural cacao butter. This means it retains its full richness, oils, and energetic properties, making it more grounding and heart-opening.
If you don’t have ceremonial cacao, you can still make a gentler version with unsweetened cacao powder, but I personally love the depth and texture of the paste.
Ingredients (for one small cup):
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15–20 g (about 1 tbsp chopped) ceremonial cacao paste
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200 ml (¾ cup) plant-based milk of your choice, I use oat milk!
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A small handful of organic, edible rose petals
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A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom (optional)
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Sweetener to taste – honey, maple syrup, or coconut sugar
Method:
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Gently warm your milk on the stove, don’t let it boil.
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Add the cacao and stir slowly until fully melted and silky.
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Sprinkle in rose petals and a pinch of spice, if using.
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Stir mindfully, imagining your intentions for creativity, openness, and joy.
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Pour into a favorite cup, breathe in the aroma, and sip slowly.
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| Ceremonial cacao ingredients: cacao paste, rose petals & optional spices, experiment and find your favorite ritual blend. | A cup of ceremonial cacao with rose petals during a Women’s Circle at La Casita, in West London. Join our monthly gatherings. |
I usually take 5–10 quiet minutes with this drink, letting its warmth flow through me, feeling my heartbeat, and setting an intention for my painting session. It’s a simple way to connect with heart energy, creativity, and presence before creating.
Even if you’re not a painter, this ritual can be a gentle, grounding way to begin your day, prepare for meditation, or simply honor yourself with a moment of love. I love that such a simple combination: cacao and roses that can feel so rich, soothing, and transformative.
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