A tiny amount of peppermint extract goes a long way. Start with ⅛ teaspoon; you can always add more.
Ingredients
You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk
Method
Whisk the cocoa and sugar with a splash of milk into a paste in a saucepan.
Add the rest of the milk and the chopped chocolate. Warm over medium-low heat, whisking, until steaming: about 3-5 minutes. Don’t let it boil.
Stir in the peppermint extract, tasting as you go.
Pour into a mug, top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.
Tips
Rim the mug with melted chocolate and crushed candy cane for a festive look.
Nutrition per serving, approximate
- Calories
- 435
- Protein
- 11g
- Carbs
- 56g
- Sugar
- 47g
- Fiber
- 4g
- Fat
- 23g
- Caffeine
- 39mg
Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.
Variations
Peppermint mocha: Add a shot of espresso: see our peppermint mocha.
White peppermint: Use white chocolate instead of semisweet and skip the cocoa.
Nutrition at a glance
One serving has about 435 calories, 47 g sugar, 11 g protein and about 39 mg caffeine. Values are estimates from USDA data for the exact amounts listed; your chocolate brand and milk change them: check your version with our chocolate drink calorie calculator.
Storing and reheating
Leftover hot chocolate keeps in a covered jar in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently on the stove or in the microwave, whisking well: the chocolate settles as it cools. A skin on top is normal; whisk it back in.
Choosing your chocolate
For drinks made with cocoa powder, Dutch-process gives a darker, smoother, mellower cup and natural cocoa a brighter, fruitier one. For melted chocolate, use a bar you’d enjoy eating: chips contain stabilizers that resist melting. See our cocoa and hot chocolate mix reviews and cocoa powder guide.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use peppermint candies instead of extract?
Yes: melt 2-3 crushed candies into the milk; they add sweetness too, so reduce the sugar.
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Gear for this recipe
A top pick in America’s Test Kitchen’s cocoa tasting for complex, layered chocolate flavor. Comes in natural and Dutch-process versions.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
A higher-fat Dutch-process cocoa that gives hot chocolate a dark color, smooth flavor and fuller body.
- Type
- Cocoa powder
- Size
- 8 oz
- Cost
- about $1.60 per oz
- Make with
- Make from scratch
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