Hot chocolate is the perfect drink for the season, and adding peppermint to the mix makes it even better. I love stopping by Starbucks in December for a peppermint mocha or peppermint hot chocolate, and I really love being able to make this peppermint hot cocoa at home too. If you love the combination of chocolate and peppermint, you’ll want to make these Chocolate Peppermint Cookies. And if you love hot chocolate, be sure to try my Grinch hot chocolate bombs for the holidays! I’m giving you choices with this recipe. You can add a bit of peppermint schnapps to make this an adults-only mint hot chocolate, or you can omit the schnapps if you’d prefer it to be non-alcoholic. Either way, this hot chocolate with peppermint will be a huge hit at your holiday parties or a nice treat for a relaxing night at home. Check out this Christmas Vodka Cocktail too, you’ll love the red and white details and the sweet flavors.
Why You’ll Love this Recipe
Key Ingredients
Complete list of ingredients and amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Milk and Cream: A half and half mix of whole milk and heavy cream makes this hot chocolate amazingly creamy. I don’t suggest using lower fat dairy products here, but you can try them if you’d like. Powdered Sugar: Using powdered sugar in hot chocolate means that you don’t have to worry about making sure that it all dissolves. Peppermint Extract: Pick this up near the baking supplies. Make sure you use peppermint extract. Mint extract will be too strong of a flavor for this hot cocoa. Bittersweet Chocolate: I’m using a 70% cacao baking chocolate, chopped finely. We’ll be melting it down and whisking it into the hot milk. Peppermint Schnapps: Make your peppermint hot chocolate a bit more exciting with some alcohol. Rumple Minze or any other brand will work. You can omit this and replace it with additional milk if you’d like. Toppings: Whipped cream and miniature marshmallows make any mug of hot chocolate better.
How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Peppermint Hot Chocolate Add-Ins
We already have a delicious and fun hot chocolate recipe, but why not get creative and make it over the top amazing? Stirrers: Make an edible stirrer out of a candy cane, or a pirouette wafer cookie. Toppings: Shaved chocolate, crushed candy canes, or red and white holiday sprinkles would be so pretty on top of a swirl of whipped cream. Add-ins: Totally optional, but try adding a couple of drops of vanilla extract, or a squeeze of dark chocolate syrup to the mixture for a more decadent flavor. Other Alcohol: Instead of peppermint schnapps, try creme de menthe, peppermint vodka, or any of the seasonal spirits that pop up in December. Look for Kahlua Mint Mocha or RumChata peppermint bark, which is a blended rum drink. Non-alcoholic peppermint flavor: You can also use peppermint Italian soda mix or peppermint coffee syrup in place of the alcohol in this recipe.
How to Make Peppermint Hot Chocolate for a Party
As written this recipe serves two people, and so it’s perfect for a cozy night at home. If you’re having a few friends over, feel free to double or triple the recipe. You can cook the hot cocoa before everyone gets there, and then keep it warm in a small crockpot. Check out my Slow Cooker Hot Chocolate Recipe for more tips.
More Sweet Holiday Treats
Make sure to serve peppermint hot chocolate with a big plate of Christmas Cookies! Here are some of my best Christmas treat recipes:
Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Christmas Tree Meringue Cookies Christmas Crack (Saltine Toffee Candy)
Peppermint Hot Chocolate is going to be your favorite hot drink this holiday season! Pin this recipe so you can make it for all of your festive gatherings. © Little Sunny Kitchen
