Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Picture this: You trudge in after a long day of holiday shopping, and it’s time to wind down for the evening. A Christmas movie is on, you’re in your coziest pajamas and you have a steaming mug of homemade peppermint hot chocolate in your hands. Honestly, what could be better than that? While we can’t help with the rest of the setup, we can show you how to make a peppermint hot chocolate drink at home.

We’ve made sure this drink lives up to its flavorful name. Both Dutch cocoa powder and chopped semisweet chocolate, as well as real peppermint extract, are swirled with steamed milk, sugar and vanilla extract. Finish the delightful treat with whipped cream and peppermint candies for a festive mug of peppermint and hot chocolate.

Ingredients for Peppermint Hot Chocolate

• Milk: Using whole milk in this peppermint hot chocolate drink will make it taste as though you bought it from your favorite coffee shop, but you can use any type of milk you prefer.
• Cocoa powder: Yes, our recipe specifies Dutch-processed cocoa, but what does that mean? Dutch-processed cocoa is made from beans washed in an alkalized solution. This neutralizes their acidity and creates a darker color and softer, smoother flavor. We think that’s perfect for hot peppermint chocolate!
• Sugar: We sweeten this drink with 2 tablespoons granulated sugar.
• Semisweet chocolate: Semisweet chocolate hits all the right notes, balancing bitterness with sweetness for a complex-tasting chocolate.
• Extract: Peppermint extract creates the peppermint flavor in this hot chocolate.
• Toppings: Homemade whipped cream and crushed candy canes make the perfect festive garnish for this peppermint and hot chocolate.

Directions

Step 1: Heat up the cocoa base

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Place the whole milk, Dutch-processed cocoa and granulated sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat.

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Bring the mixture to a simmer, and cook until it’s heated through and well combined, two to three minutes.

Step 2: Add the chocolate and peppermint

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Add the chopped semisweet chocolate to the mixture and stir until it’s melted, one to two minutes.

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Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the peppermint extract.

Step 3: Garnish and serve

Pour the peppermint hot chocolate into two mugs and garnish as desired. Enjoy!

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Recipe Variations

• Caffeinate it: Mocha lovers can stir in a shot of espresso to turn each mugful into a red-eye peppermint hot chocolate.
• Make it boozy: For the 21+ crowd, splash in a shot of Irish cream, peppermint schnapps or Kahlua.

How to Store Peppermint Hot Chocolate

Once your peppermint hot chocolate drink has cooled to room temperature, pour it into an airtight container or cover the mug with storage wrap. Refrigerate the drink for up to three days.

How do you reheat peppermint hot chocolate?

You can reheat peppermint hot chocolate in a microwave-safe mug in the microwave. Or, pour the desired amount of peppermint hot chocolate into a saucepan and warm it over medium heat until it’s at your desired temperature.

Peppermint Hot Chocolate Tips

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How should I serve peppermint hot chocolate?

We recommend serving peppermint hot chocolate with a big dollop of whipped cream and crushed peppermint candies. These homemade peppermint marshmallows would be excellent, too—as would a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkling of chocolate shavings.

How can I make peppermint hot chocolate dairy-free?

You can make this peppermint and hot chocolate dairy-free by swapping in your favorite nondairy milk alternative for the whole milk. I love splurging on hazelnut milk for hot drinks. Substitute dairy-free chocolate for the semisweet chocolate and use coconut whipped cream as a garnish.

Dutch-processed cocoa powder is typically dairy-free, but I recommend checking the ingredients list to make sure it isn’t manufactured in an environment that handles dairy if that matters to you.