How to Make Festive Peppermint Hot Chocolate That Rivals Your Local Coffee Shop
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Experience the ultimate indulgence with this rich and creamy festive peppermint hot chocolate. A decadent treat that’s easy to whip up in under 10 minutes. It’s a snowy day or holiday delight that both kids and adults will love.
The holiday season is upon us, which means it’s the perfect time to cozy up with a good book and a cup of hot chocolate with a festive peppermint flavor.
Since we live in Northern Canada, think -30°C (-22°F) months of the year, my kids and I love a cup of good hot chocolate after a bit of sledding, or playing in the snow.
My youngest loves the peppermint hot chocolate from Starbucks, and this is my at-home, quick and easy alternative to always having to spend money out. In my opinion this recipe is much creamier and richer tasting.
Plus it’s so versatile if you want to booze it up, for a more adult drink.
Bring out this festive peppermint hot chocolate recipe for parties, or for your kids on wintery days with some easy, no bake Christmas cookies.
CHRISTMAS PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
The base recipe only requires 5 simple ingredients:
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Cream
- Brown Sugar or maple syrup
- Dark Chocolate
- Peppermint extract
Optional Toppings you can use include:
- Whip cream
- Chocolate sauce
- Shaved chocolate
- Fresh peppermint leaves
- Candy canes (crushed or whole) or crushed peppermint candies
- Mini marshmallows
- Sliced almonds
This peppermint hot cocoa recipe goes so well with our favourite Christmas shortbread cookies or our fun & festive Christmas breakfast recipes.
How To Make Homemade Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- Place the chocolate, milk, heavy cream, and sugar in a medium saucepan
- Gently heat over medium heat, bringing the mixture to a light simmer until the chocolate melts. Be sure to stir occasionally. Do not bring to a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in peppermint extract whisking until ingredients are combined.
- Pour into a festive mug, and top with whip cream and crushed candy cane pieces.
There you have a creamy homemade hot chocolate both kids and adults will adore.
TIPS FOR PEPPERMINT HOT CHOCOLATE
- For an alcoholic version: Replace the peppermint extract with 2 tbsp of peppermint schnapps (or to taste) or Creme de Menthe. Or try another festive alcohol instead like Kahlúa, Baileys Irish Cream, or coffee and chocolate liqueur. Just skip the peppermint altogether.
- For a vegan version: Use a dairy-free chocolate and replace the whole milk and cream with any plant based milk. We like to use vanilla oat milk , or full-fat coconut milk. Skip the whip cream, or use a non-dairy option.
- For a white hot chocolate: Replace the dark chocolate with white chocolate chips and decrease the sugar by half, unless you prefer a sweeter drink.
- Peppermint Extract: Peppermint extract is very powerful, so only use a little unless a stronger peppermint taste is preferred.
- Drink Cold: While technically not a hot chocolate, a chilled chocolate pepperminty drink, with a scoop of ice cream on top is delicious and makes a great dessert for kids.
- Substitutions: You can also replace the dark chocolate with 3 oz (1/2 cup) of semisweet chocolate chips or milk chocolate chips. Just decrease the suagar if using milk choco chips.
There is something so satisying over the Christmas season about having a minty chocolate treat on chilly days. Or add it to your Christmas party along with some kid-friendly festive holiday finger foods.
Happy Holidays! I hope your winter months are filled with good friends, tasty treats, and your favorite warm drink!
Festive Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Experience the ultimate indulgence with this rich and creamy festive peppermint hot chocolate. A decadent treat that’s easy to whip up in under 10 minutes. It’s a snowy day or holiday delight that both kids and adults will love.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of whole milk
- 1/4 cup of heavy cream
- 2 tbsp brown sugar (or 1 - 2 tbsp of maple syrup)
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp peppermint extract (to taste)
- 1/2 cup (3 oz) finely chopped dark chocolate or dark chocolate chips
Optional Toppings
- Whipped cream
- Sliced almond flakes
- Mini marshmallows
- Chocolate sauce
- Shaved chocolate
- Crushed or whole candy cane pieces
- Fresh mint leaves
Instructions
- Place the chocolate, milk, heavy cream, and sugar in a medium saucepan
- Gently heat over medium heat, bringing the mixture to a light simmer until the chocolate melts. Be sure to stir occasionally. Do not bring to a boil.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in peppermint extract whisking until ingredients are combined.
- Pour into a festive mug, and top with whip cream and crushed candy canes.
Notes
For an alcoholic version: Replace the peppermint extract with 2 tbsp of peppermint schnapps (or to taste).
For a vegan version: Use non-dairy chocolate and replace the whole milk and cream with any plant based milk. We like to use vanilla oat milk for it's creamy texture.
Skip the whip cream, or use a non-dairy option.
TIPS
This recipe makes 1 serving, but it can be easily double or tripled.
Peppermint extract is very powerful, so only use a little unless a stronger peppermint taste is preferred.
You can also replace the dark chocolate with 3 oz (1/2 cup) of semisweet chocolate chips.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 957Total Fat: 50gSaturated Fat: 30gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 101mgSodium: 190mgCarbohydrates: 116gFiber: 6gSugar: 95gProtein: 14g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered from online calculators.
