This Peppermint Mocha Recipe is so easy and tastes just as good as Starbucks! This 10 minute recipe is the perfect way to enjoy a gourmet coffee right at home.
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Sometimes I think it’s a blessing that we live so far from any fast food joints or coffee shops. It really isn’t an option to run out and grab an expensive coffee drink or a bite to eat.
But there have definitely been times I’m sitting at home wishing I could run to Starbucks for a Peppermint Mocha. This craving happened one too many times, so I decided to take matters into my own hands.
And so this Peppermint Mocha Recipe was born. This recipe is so simple, way quicker than running to coffee shop, and just as delicious. Bonus: it’s a whole lot cheaper too!
If you love all things peppermint chocolate, then you’ll love my No Bake Peppermint Bark Cheesecake, Chocolate Peppermint Icebox Cookies, Layered Double Chocolate Peppermint Cake, or Peppermint Bark!
Ingredients Needed:
- Milk: I use whole milk, but feel free to use whatever milk you have in your fridge Non-dairy milk works great too!
- Sugar: for a little bit of sweetness!
- Cocoa Powder: use unsweetened powder to give your mocha its chocolate flavor.
- Coffee: brewed espresso or strong coffee both work great.
- Peppermint Flavor: to add peppermint flavor you can use: 1) mint extract, 2) half of a peppermint candy cane, or 3) peppermint syrup.
- Vanilla Extract: provides a touch of extra sweetness and adds some flavor depth.
- Toppings: we’re topping our Peppermint Mocha off with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
How to Make a Peppermint Mocha
This delicious and cozy drink comes together in a total of 10 minutes…way faster than even running to your nearest Starbucks!
- Heat the milk: In a saucepan, heat milk, cocoa, and sugar until bubbles form and the sugar is dissolved.
- Add espresso and flavor: Mix in espresso, mint extract, and vanilla extract, then remove from the heat.
- Garnish and serve: Pour the mixture into a mug, top it with whip and chocolate, then sip away.
Peppermint Mocha FAQs
A mocha is essentially a chocolate latte. So, a peppermint mocha has all of the components of a latte (espresso and milk) plus chocolate and peppermint flavors.
Yes! A traditional Peppermint Mocha is made with brewed espresso. Our homemade Peppermint Mocha can be made using brewed espresso or strong brewed coffee.
This Peppermint Mocha is going to have a subtle coffee flavor because it contains ¾ cup of coffee. However, since you’re making it yourself, you can totally customize it. Love the coffee flavor? Add more. Prefer it to be a little sweeter? Add less.
Tips and Notes
- Use fresh coffee. It just tastes better!
- Warm over medium heat. I know it’s tempting to crank the heat up so it’s done faster, but all you’ll do there is burn the milk. Yuck!
- Make more. This recipe can super easily be doubled or tripled if you’re serving more people. Just use a bigger pan.
- Customize! The beauty of making your own coffee drink is that you can play around with amounts until you find your perfect flavor. Add more or less sweetener, make it more chocolatey, add another flavor like caramel…you really can’t go wrong!
Variations
- Make it white chocolate. Throw some white chocolate chips in with the milk while heating, then stir and let them melt. This is one of my favorite variations! Check out my Easy White Chocolate Mocha for more specific instructions.
- Make it non-dairy. You can easily make a dairy-free version by just using non-dairy milk in place of the whole milk.
- Lighten it up. For a skinny Peppermint Mocha, feel free to use a lower fat milk (1% or 2%) and a sugar replacement or natural sweetener.
- Ice it. Just serve it over ice! Cool the coffee first so you don’t water down your drink.
- Add more garnishes. Chocolate drizzle, crushed candy cane, chopped peanuts, caramel drizzle, you name it.
- Make it caffeine-free. Maybe you’re not big into caffeine or you want to drink this closer to bedtime. No problem! Just swap the regular coffee out for decaf!
Serving Suggestions
This Peppermint Mocha is a delicious way to start the day all on its own, but I love to enjoy it with breakfast too!
Serve it with Cinnamon Roll Bites, Instant Pot Egg Bites, Crockpot Breakfast Casserole, Monkey Bread, or any of your favorite breakfast/brunch recipes!
More Coffee Drinks You’ll Love
Peppermint Mocha Recipe
written by Ashley Fehr
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup brewed espresso or strong coffee
- 1/4 teaspoon mint extract or ½ peppermint candy cane or peppermint syrup
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add milk, cocoa and sugar. Heat over medium heat until small bubbles begin to form around the edge and sugar has dissolved.
- Stir in espresso, mint extract and vanilla and remove from heat (if using a candy cane, be sure to let melt completely.)
- Serve in a large mug and top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings if desired.
Nutrition Information
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Layla says
Hi I haven’t tried this yet but I was wondering how much peppermint syrup I’m supposed to use?
Layla says
Hello I haven’t tried this recipe yet but if I use peppermint syrup in place of the mint extract how much of that do I use?
Debra Collins says
I gave you 5 stars but I would’ve given you more if there was more This was really delicious it really was thank you Ashley
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Debra! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Kristy J. says
Girlllllllllll! This is THE BEST copycat peppermint mocha EVER! And I should know, this is like the only flavored coffee I drink aside from the java chip frap lol. I was tired of spending $6.25 daily and opted for my own ingredients. Tried a couple recipes before yours and was disappointed. Found yours, tried it, first sip HEAVEN! I have my favorite coffee back at a fraction of the cost. Thank you tremendously for sharing this.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Kristy! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for the review! Homemade is so much better for sure!
Greg says
Much better than Starbucks or Dunkin! Very scalable and delicious. Thanks
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Greg! So glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for this kind review!
The GemGrrrl says
What size of candy cane would you use for 1 serving? The little 3″ ones?
The Recipe Rebel says
I’d probably just use a regular size, but honestly you can use any one you’d like.
Faith Scruggs says
This was amazing and quick!! Just sweet enough & not too minty (in a good way) 🥰
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Faith! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Jen says
For 39 years of my life I have always hated coffee. Yet when my fiancé ordered this drink from Starbucks I became addicted! I instantly started trying multiple copycat recipes, which missed the mark. Then I came upon this one. I did add 1/2 Tbs of a Hills Bros double mocha mix and only 2 Tbs of sugar. So yummy!!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Jen! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Molly says
I made this with one less TBS than it called for with sugar. I used Folgers instant coffee and Peppermint extract. This was delicious, nice and creamy and the perfect chocolate flavor! Thanks for the recipe!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Molly! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Sherry says
Made with decaf coffee and it was great!! in fact I am twisting my arm to have another in bed with a good book! Thanks for sharing all your recipes!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Sherry! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Marty says
This was so good!! I followed the recipe but used a milk frother before combining with the espresso.
Burak says
I’m a Peppermint Moca lover and this recipe turned out amazing. Thanks!
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Burak! So glad you enjoyed the recipe! Thank you for this kind review!
Lark says
I feel like this was too sweet for me, but the flavor otherwise was good. Next time I will decrease the sugar.
The Recipe Rebel says
Hi Lark! Yes, you can always adjust it based on your taste! Thanks!
Roxana says
This was such a good recipe. Everything is on point, it did not feel too sweet nor too bitter. Will be using this as a go to!
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Roxana! I’m glad to hear that!
kai willy says
I used to do this drinks. It is so much delicious.
Julie P. says
How can I make the espresso? I don’t have an espresso maker and I really need to try this!
Ashley Fehr says
I would just use an instant espresso powder in its place
Nicole says
Delicious! I don’t like mine sweet so I used only 1tbs of sugar and it was perfect.
Ashley Fehr says
Thanks Nicole!
Pressley says
Can serve over Ice?
Ashley Fehr says
Absolutely!
E Charm says
It’s cold and snowy here so I decided to try this.
OMG what a great decision. It is awesome!
Absolutely love it and apparently so does my hubby!
He tried it and asked me to make more!!!
Ashley Fehr says
I’m so glad you liked it!
Marsha says
Then you might want to simply go to Starbucks. I’m grateful for any recipes I can make at home.
Lauren says
I’m looking for a recipe for peppermint mocha syrup to add to coffee. I’d use Splenda and sugarfree syrup. Can I use your recipe minus the coffee, sugar and milk? I’d make a bottle of syrup and add to iced coffee. Thank you.
Ashley Fehr says
Hi Lauren! I’m sure that will be delicious, I just don’t have any recipes like that 🙂
lekha says
hi want to know how to make the vanila without coffe by
Ashley Fehr says
You could just double the milk, cocoa, sugar and omit the coffee.
lekha says
hi want to know how to make the vanila without coffe by