A Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is like pure Christmas bliss in a cup! Here’s how to make a Peppermint Mocha Iced, Hot or Frappuccino at home, in just a few minutes, for a fraction of the price!
A Starbucks Peppermint Mocha is like pure Christmas bliss in a cup! Here’s how to make a Hot, Iced, or Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino at home, in just a few minutes, for a fraction of the price! Click To Tweet
Starbucks Peppermint Mocha can become a bit of an obsession this time of year, and it’s easy to see why. The decadent flavors of espresso, chocolate, and peppermint, with whipped cream on top, are like Christmas bliss in a cup! Thankfully, you don’t have to spend $5 or make the trip to Starbucks to get your Peppermint Mocha fix! You can make a hot, iced, or Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino at home in just a few minutes, for a fraction of the price.
Bean Box Coffee Sampler – $24.00
from: Bean Box
Tips for Making a Peppermint Mocha at Home
To get the most authentic tasting Peppermint Mocha iced, hot, or frappe, you really need to use espresso. Espresso is super easy to make, once you get the hang of it, and I have an easy to follow tutorial right here, just in case you’re new to the process. If you don’t own an espresso machine yet, I highly recommend getting one if you want to save time and money by making your peppermint mocha and other barista-style drinks at home. Here are my espresso machine reviews with recommendations in every price range.
You can still make a Peppermint Mocha at home if you don’t have an espresso machine, but it won’t taste exactly like the Starbucks version. Just brew a cup of extra strong coffee to use in place of the espresso. Concentrated cold brew coffee also works well for the Iced and Frappuccino versions.
For the hot version of this drink, you’ll need to steam the milk. You can do this with your espresso machine, or you can just heat it on the stove or in the microwave until it’s almost at a simmer if you don’t have a machine.
Adjust the Ingredients to Make It Low Calorie, Low-Fat, or Vegan
The great thing about making coffee drinks at home is that you have control over what goes in them. If you want your Peppermint Mocha to be low calorie, low-fat, or vegan, simply adjust the ingredients to suit your needs. You can use whatever low-fat or vegan milk alternative you want for this drink. I’ve also included links to sugar-free alternatives right in the recipes if you want to cut the calories.
Use Fresh Coffee for the Best Results
No matter what adjustments you make, be sure to use fresh coffee beans and grind them right before you make your Peppermint Mocha. This is the crucial step that will make your drink taste like it came from a good coffee shop, instead of your corner convenience store. Trust me, stale, pre-ground coffee that’s been sitting on the shelf at your grocery store isn’t going to produce a drink that tastes like it came from Starbucks.
A Note About the Sweetness of Your Peppermint Mocha
For me, the sweetness of this drink is perfect with just the peppermint syrup. However, if you like a sweeter drink, you can add sugar or my favorite calorie-free sugar substitute to suit your taste at the same time you add the cocoa powder in all three recipes.
How to Make a Hot Peppermint Mocha
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (Check out my post on the best cocoa powders for coffee drinks here.)
- 2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup of extra strong coffee
- 1 cup of steamed milk
- 2 tablespoons of regular or sugar-free peppermint syrup
- Whipped cream (regular, sugar-free, low-fat, or vegan options are all fine)
- Regular or sugar-free chocolate sauce
- Crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
Making Your Hot Peppermint Mocha:
Start by putting the cocoa powder in the bottom of your mug. Add the espresso or coffee and stir until the cocoa powder is completely dissolved. Add the peppermint syrup and your hot milk, stirring until all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Top your drink with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Sprinkle on some crushed peppermint candies mini chocolate chips for garnish, if desired.
How to Make a Peppermint Mocha Iced
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (Check out my post on the best cocoa powders for coffee drinks here.)
- 2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup of extra strong coffee or ¼ cup concentrated cold brew coffee
- 1 cup of ice-cold milk
- 2 tablespoons of regular or sugar-free peppermint syrup
- 1 cup of ice cubes
- Whipped cream (regular, sugar-free, low-fat, or vegan options are all fine)
- Regular or sugar-free chocolate sauce
- Crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
Making Your Iced Peppermint Mocha:
In your Ninja personal blender, combine the cocoa powder, espresso or coffee, milk, and peppermint syrup. Blend well. Pour over ice in your serving glass. Top with whipped cream, drizzle with chocolate sauce, and garnish with crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips as desired.
How to Make a Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder (Check out my post on the best cocoa powders for coffee drinks here.)
- 2 shots of espresso or ¼ cup of extra strong coffee or ¼ cup concentrated cold brew coffee
- 1 cup of ice-cold milk
- 2 tablespoons of regular or sugar-free peppermint syrup
- Whipped cream (regular, sugar-free, low-fat, or vegan options are all fine)
- Regular or sugar-free chocolate sauce
- Crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips for garnish (optional)
Making Your Peppermint Mocha Frappuccino:
Put the ice in your Ninja personal blender and then add the cocoa powder, milk, coffee or espresso, and the peppermint syrup. Blend until the ice is crushed and all ingredients are thoroughly combined. Pour into your serving glass and top with whipped cream and a drizzle of chocolate sauce. Add crushed peppermint candies and mini chocolate chips for garnish, if desired.
Conclusion
That was super easy, right?! And, now that you have the ingredients on hand, you can get your Peppermint Mocha fix anytime, even if it’s not around the holidays!
I would love to see pictures of your creations so be sure to post them on Instagram and tag @Be_Your_Own_Barista!
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Bean Box Deluxe Coffee + Chocolate Tasting Box – $68.00
from: Bean Box
