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Peppermint Mocha

Hot · Coffee · Mint

Peppermint Mocha

The seasonal coffee-shop favorite with real chocolate: espresso, peppermint, steamed milk and whipped cream.

Prep
5 min
Total
5 min
Serves
1
Calories
335

HotCoffeeMintCaffeinatedHoliday

Jump to recipe

Make it at home all winter for a fraction of the price, and with much better chocolate.

Ingredients

1 serving

You’ll need: Small saucepan, Whisk

Method

  1. Stir the chocolate, cocoa and sugar into hot espresso until smooth.

  2. Add the peppermint extract.

  3. Heat and froth the milk and pour it in.

  4. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane.

Tips

  • Make a batch of peppermint mocha sauce: melt the chocolate, cocoa, sugar and extract with ¼ cup water; keeps 2 weeks in the fridge.

Nutrition per serving, approximate

Calories
335
Protein
8g
Carbs
45g
Sugar
36g
Fiber
4g
Fat
17g
Caffeine
156mg

Estimated from standard USDA values for the ingredients listed; brands vary.

Variations

  • Decaf: Use decaf espresso: it’s still mostly about the chocolate.

Nutrition at a glance

One serving has about 335 calories, 36 g sugar, 8 g protein and about 156 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

How much peppermint extract?

Start with ⅛ teaspoon per drink; it’s strong.

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Gear for this recipe

Ghirardelli 100% Unsweetened Cocoa Powder

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.4 · Best for the best all-purpose cocoa for scratch hot chocolate

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
From $8Check price Full review

Guittard Cocoa Rouge (Dutch-Process)

★★★★★★★★★★ 4.3 · Best for dark, smooth, reddish Dutch-process cocoa for rich drinking chocolate

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
From $13Check price Full review

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