Indulge in a hot cup of Peppermint Hot Chocolate this winter season. The creamy milk chocolate taste you love, paired with wintery peppermint, makes for a fun drink everyone in the family will love.
Why This Recipe is the Best
We love this Christmas Peppermint Hot Chocolate because it tastes like a homemade version of Starbucks peppermint hot chocolate, but even better, thanks to real cocoa powder, cream, and peppermint extract.
We love topping it with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, peppermint bark, or stirring it with a candy cane for the ultimate festive drink.
Do you love peppermint as much as we do?! Try our other peppermint recipes: Peppermint Pie, Peppermint-dipped Chocolate Cookies, and our Peppermint Milkshake.
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Key Ingredients
You can whip this drink up easily with a few pantry staples and a couple of extra add-ins.
- Cocoa Powder - Unsweetened cocoa powder gives this homemade peppermint hot chocolate its rich chocolate flavor. We highly recommend Dutch cocoa or Ghirardelli cocoa powder.
- Milk and Cream - Using both milk and whipping cream creates a smooth texture that tastes similar to Starbucks or Williams Sonoma hot cocoa. You don't have to use both, but we highly recommend it.
- Peppermint Extract - Just a little peppermint extract gives the perfect peppermint bark flavor. A small amount goes a long way!
- Sugar- Adding more sugar is totally up to personal preference. Add until it's the desired sweetness.
How to make Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Use these step-by-step instructions as a guide to get the best results. You'll love this copycat recipe.
- Add the water, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt to a saucepan over medium-high heat. Stir constantly and bring the mixture to a boil until smooth and glossy.
- Stir in the milk and whipping cream and heat until steaming, but do not boil. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and peppermint extract.
- Pour into mugs and top with whipped cream, crushed peppermint candies, peppermint sprinkles, or candy cane sticks.
Helpful Hint: Remember, peppermint extract goes a long way. Only add a small amount at a time and taste test until it's just where you want it.
Common Mistakes
Be sure not to boil the milk! If the milk gets boiled, the texture loses that smooth and creamy texture that makes hot chocolate so good. Remove from the heat right before the boiling point.
Top tip
For the richest and creamiest peppermint hot chocolate, use whole milk and whipping cream instead of lower-fat milk. The extra richness makes it taste like a coffee shop holiday drink.
Recipe
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Ingredients
- ¾ cup water
- ⅓ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- ⅓ cup granulated sugar or more for a sweeter drink, see note 1
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3 cup milk
- ¾ cup whipping cream or half and half
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Combine the water, unsweetened cocoa powder, sugar and salt together in a small saucepan over medium high heat. Stirring constantly, bring to a boil. Stir in the milk and cream and heat until it starts to steam, but do not bring to a boil.
- Once it starts steaming, remove from heat and add the vanilla and peppermint. Top with whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies, if desired.
Notes
- This is a not-too-sweet hot cocoa recipe, for a more standard amount of sweetness, increase the sugar to ½ cup and enjoy.
Nutrition
Try our Oat Milk Hot Chocolate or our Angel Milk for more delicious hot drinks.
Storing
Store leftover peppermint hot chocolate in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat on the stovetop or in the microwave. Stir well before serving.
Variations and Substitutions
This homemade peppermint hot cocoa recipe is easy to customize.
- White Chocolate- Add white chocolate for a white peppermint hot chocolate version.
- Dark Chocolate-Use dark cocoa powder for an extra-rich dark chocolate peppermint mocha flavor.
- Iced- Turn it into frozen peppermint hot chocolate by blending it with ice after cooling.
- Coffee Shop-Add espresso or coffee for a peppermint mocha-inspired drink.
- Adult Beverage- Make it boozy with peppermint schnapps or Baileys.
- Candy Toppings-Add marshmallows, peppermint bark pieces, or York Peppermint Patty candies on top.
Topping Ideas
The toppings are one of the best parts of making homemade hot chocolate! You can even have a fun hot chocolate bar at your next Christmas or Holiday party. Make it in a crockpot or slow cooker so people can serve themselves all party long. Try some of our favorite toppings:
- Whipped cream
- Crushed peppermint candies
- Candy cane stirrers
- Peppermint bark pieces
- Chocolate curls
- Mini marshmallows
- Peppermint sprinkles
- Chocolate dipping spoons
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