Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe
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Don’t go through the Christmas season without trying this easy homemade peppermint mocha! Inspired by the Starbucks holiday favorite, you can whip this up at home in just 5 minutes – it tastes just as good (if not better) than the original. It’s creamy, chocolatey, and perfectly minty, and the candy cane topping makes it look oh-so-festive!
Starbucks fans, rejoice! I come with yet another all-star recipe you’ll love to make at home – the beloved Peppermint Mocha. Being a huge fan who’s tried most of the best Starbucks drinks and Starbucks’ secret menu, I can say that this is one of my favorite drinks to order during the holiday season. It just has that perfect balance of indulgent and refreshing!
Now, I can make this comfort drink anytime I want to – it’s perfect for slow mornings and cozy nights. It’s also one of the holiday coffee drinks I serve guests as we enjoy a holiday charcuterie board at brunches and gatherings. The best part? It’s so easy to make – how awesome is it that you can whip up an insanely good, cafe-quality drink in just minutes? I say very!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick and easy: All you need are a few simple ingredients and 5 minutes of your time to make this homemade version of a holiday favorite.
- Budget-friendly: Skip the line at Starbucks and save money by making this drink right in your kitchen, anytime you want to. No need to splurge on daily coffee shop runs anymore!
- Fun and festive: Coffee, chocolate, and mint come together in a warm, comforting drink perfect for the holidays. The whipped cream and crushed candy canes on top make it extra festive!
- Year-round treat: Who says peppermint mochas are only for the holiday season? Make it whenever you’re craving a cozy, minty treat!
- Customizable: Adjust the sweetness, milk type, or peppermint and add your choice of mix-ins to make this drink your own.
How to Make Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
Peppermint mocha is my go-to coffee for hosting a stress-free holiday party. After just a few minutes, I’ll have a cozy, comforting drink that’s perfect for entertaining. My family and friends always get impressed with my barista-level skills whenever I make peppermint mocha – little do they know that it’s one of the easiest Christmas coffees to make!
Scroll to the bottom of this post for a printable recipe card with a full list of ingredients, measurements, and step-by-step instructions.
Ingredients You Need
- Whole milk: Balances the boldness of the espresso and gives the drink the smooth, creamy, and velvety texture we all love. I use whole milk, but you can use any type, whether it’s dairy or dairy-free whole milk, full fat, 2%, skim, etc.
- Espresso: I like to use brewed espresso or any strong coffee to make sure that the flavor comes through and balances nicely with the sweetness of the drink.
- Cocoa powder: Adds a deep, chocolatey depth. I use unsweetened cocoa powder.
- White creme de menthe: This mint liqueur is what gives the peppermint mocha its signature peppermint flavor that we love from holiday candy canes. You can also use Starbucks’ peppermint syrup.
- Whipped cream: For that fluffy, indulgent topping. It makes your peppermint mocha extra creamy!
- Candy cane: Crushed for a fun, festive garnish that adds a delightful crunch.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Ready for some minty, chocolatey coffee goodness? Just follow the 3 simple steps below – warm the milk and coffee, add the peppermint, then garnish and serve. What could be easier than that? Gather your ingredients and get ready to enjoy peppermint perfection!
Step 1: Warm the coffee and milk
Warm the milk and espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat until it steams. Next, mix in the cocoa powder.
Step 2: Add the peppermint
Remove from heat and stir in the creme de menthe.
Step 3: Garnish and serve
Divide between two mugs and garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy cane as desired. Serve hot. Enjoy!
Substitutions
This Starbucks peppermint mocha recipe only calls for a few simple, easy-to-find ingredients. In case you don’t have some on hand or prefer to use alternatives, try these ingredient substitutions:
- Whole milk: Swap the whole milk for plant-based milk like nut, seed, or coconut milk if you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative. Use a half and half mix of whole milk and heavy cream if you want your drink extra creamy!
- Espresso: Substitute with a cold brew coffee or any strongly brewed coffee of your choice.
- Cocoa powder: For a darker, richer taste, use Dutch-process cocoa. Prefer a more natural option? Go with cacao powder.
- White creme de menthe: Green creme de menthe can be used for the same flavor with a slight color change. For an alcohol-free option, use peppermint syrup, candy cane-infused milk, or a few drops of peppermint extract diluted in water.
- Whipped cream: Use coconut whipped cream for a dairy-free option
- Candy cane: If you ate all the candy canes from Christmas or you want to make this treat outside of the holiday season, mint chocolate sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or any hard peppermint candy are ideal substitutes.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh ingredients: Fresh and high-quality milk, espresso, and cocoa powder will make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Don’t burn the milk: Warm the milk on low to medium heat to avoid scorching. Scalded milk can change the flavor of your drink. If you have a milk frother wand, use it to create that velvety texture Starbucks is known for.
- Make a kid-friendly version: Swap the espresso for hot chocolate, use a mild peppermint-flavored syrup, and top with fun garnishes to make a caffeine-free treat perfect for kids.
- Serve it over ice: Cool the espresso and milk mixture before pouring it over ice for an iced version of peppermint mocha.
- Garnish creatively: Top with chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel syrup, or red and green sprinkles to make it extra fun and festive.
How to Store This Recipe
Cool the milk, coffee, and mint mixture completely, place in an airtight food storage container or in a mason jar with lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. The drink will thicken slightly when refrigerated.
To reheat, warm in a saucepan over low heat until warmed through. Divide between mugs and garnish if desired before serving.
What to Serve with Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
This homemade peppermint mocha is a nice way to start the day all on its own, but is even better paired with your breakfast favorites. We love it with pumpkin pancakes, no-milk waffles, cinnamon rolls, and even scrambled eggs and breakfast sausage. For dessert or a quick snack, enjoy it with some chocolate chip cookies or hot chocolate cookies.
More Starbucks-Inspired Recipes To Try
If you make this Starbucks peppermint mocha, please leave a review. I really appreciate each and every 5-star rating and review comment!
Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups whole milk
- ½ cup espresso or strongly brewed coffee
- 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons white creme de menthe or Starbucks’ peppermint syrup
- 2 portions whipped cream garnish
- 1 whole candy cane crushed for garnish
Instructions
- Warm the milk and espresso in a small saucepan over medium heat until it steams. Mix in the cocoa powder.
- Remove from heat and stir in the creme de menthe.
- Divide between two mugs and garnish with whipped cream and crushed candy cane as desired. Serve hot.
Notes
- Fresh and high-quality milk, espresso, and cocoa powder will make a noticeable difference in flavor.
- Warm the milk on low to medium heat to avoid scorching. Scalded milk can change the flavor of your drink.
- Swap the espresso for hot chocolate, use a mild peppermint-flavored syrup, and top with fun garnishes to make a caffeine-free treat perfect for kids.
- Cool the espresso and milk mixture before pouring it over ice for an iced version of peppermint mocha.
- Top with chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, a drizzle of chocolate or caramel syrup, or red and green sprinkles to make it extra fun and festive.
