Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (2024)

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Do you love Starbucks Peppermint Mocha, but not waiting in line or the price tag? This post will show you how to make a peppermint mocha at home using 5 simple ingredients. It tastes just like the Starbucks version and much easier on your wallet, too!

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Is your holiday season not complete without a Starbucks Peppermint Mocha? This classic holiday drink is easy to make at home using just 5 simple ingredients.

In this post I’ll show you how to make a peppermint mocha, the ingredients you’ll need and answer your most frequently asked questions about making peppermint mochas at home.

Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (2)

What do I need to make a peppermint mocha?

  • Milk – we used dairy whole milk, but feel free to use any dairy or plant-based milk of your choosing.
  • Strong brewed coffee – to make it like a Starbucks mocha, add in a freshly brewed shot of espresso.
  • Semi-sweet chocolate – use good quality chocolate chips or a baking bar to get that delicious, rich chocolate flavor.
  • Sugar – instead of sugar, use a monk-fruit sweetener like Whole Earth or Lakanto. This will sweeten your drink without adding extra calories and refined sugar.
  • Peppermint extract – you don’t need much. Just a few drops will go a long way!

For exact ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions be sure to scroll down to the bottom of this post to the recipe card. Thanks!

Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (3)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (4)

Tips on how to make a peppermint mocha:

  • Start by adding the coffee, milk, sugar and chocolate chips to a saucepan.
  • Heat over medium-low heat to melt the chocolate. Use a whisk to help the sugar dissolve and the chocolate come together with the liquid.
  • DON’T let the liquid come to a rolling boil. The milk will scald/burn to the bottom of the pan, and it will taste off.
  • Heat until steaming and until the chocolate has melted completely. This should take just 5 minutes or so, over medium-low heat.
  • Once the chocolate has melted completely, remove from heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (5)

Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine

Want to make both coffee AND espresso at home? This is the machine I use and LOVE. The fresh espresso is amazing and the brewed coffee tastes equally fantastic. I highly recommend!

If you love a great espresso drink, check out my Iced Caramel Latte and my Caramel Brulee Latte.

Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (6)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (7)

Here are some frequently asked questions about how to make a peppermint mocha:

What is in a peppermint mocha?

A Starbucks peppermint mocha contains coffee, steamed milk, mocha/chocolate sauce and peppermint syrup.

How do you make a peppermint mocha from Starbucks?

Heat together coffee, milk, sugar and chocolate. Heat until the chocolate melts and the sugar dissolves. Stir in peppermint extract. Serve right away while hot and top with whipped cream and or chocolate syrup.

Does a peppermint mocha taste like coffee?

Not really. The chocolate and peppermint flavors are more pronounced in a peppermint mocha than coffee.

How many calories in a Grande (16 oz.) Peppermint Mocha?

A grande Starbucks Peppermint Mocha has 440 calories and 54 grams of sugar!

Topping ideas for a peppermint mocha:

  • Whipped cream or whipped topping, like my Homemade Cool Whip
  • Chocolate syrup
  • Mini-chocolate chips
  • Crushed peppermints, or peppermint chips. You can purchase these already crushed at many grocery stores or craft stores during the holidays.

This is such a fun drink to enjoy while you’re watching your favorite Christmas movies, great to take with you in the car while shopping (so you don’t have to spend $$$ at the coffee shop), and wonderful for enjoying with holiday cookies and candies! Better yet, enjoy one of these delicious Peppermint Mocha’s in your pajamas while you do your online shopping!

If you love a classic holiday drink, check out my recipes like Starbucks Mocha Frappuccino Recipe, my Mocha Cookie Crumble Frappuccino and my Baileys Hot Chocolate.

Do you love Starbucks treats as well? Check out some of my snacks that can be enjoyed with this peppermint mocha:

  • Better Than Starbucks Pumpkin Loaf
  • Healthy Starbucks Lemon Loaf
  • Starbucks Copycat Cranberry Bliss Bars
  • Double Chocolate Banana Bread

If you loved this Starbucks Copycat Drink, check out some of my other classic coffee creations:

Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (10)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (11)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (12)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (13)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (14)
Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (15)

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Easy Peppermint Mocha

Erin Indahl-Fink

Love a Starbucks peppermint mocha during the holidays? This easy Peppermint Mocha just needs 5 ingredients to make at home!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Course Drinks and Cocktails

Cuisine American

Servings 1 drink

Calories 296 kcal

Equipment

  • Saucepan This Circulon A1 Series non stick saucepan includes a glass straining lid. A great piece of cookware!

  • Large Whisk An amazing cooking utensil perfect for making hot drinks at home.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup strong brewed coffee
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 Tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons sugar or your preferred sweetener (optional)
  • 1/8 teaspoon peppermint extract

Instructions

  • In a small saucepan, add the milk, coffee, sugar and chocolate chips. Heat over medium-low heat, stirring often with a whisk. Heat until the liquid is steaming, but not boiling. Once the chocolate has melted completely, remove from heat. Add in the peppermint extract and stir.

  • Ladle into glass or mug while still hot. Top with your favorite toppings. Enjoy right away.

Notes

Feel free to use the milk of your choice, dairy or plant-based. Substituting milk will change the consistency, flavor and calorie content of the drink.

Sugar is optional. The drink will be sweet from the chocolate, but maybe not as sweet as the Starbucks version. Adapt the amount of sweetness as needed with the sugar or sugar-substitute of your preference.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 296kcalCarbohydrates: 38.2gProtein: 11gFat: 12.3gSugar: 36g

Keyword peppermint mocha, starbucks peppermint mocha, how to make a peppermint mocha

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Easy Peppermint Mocha | The BEST Homemade Peppermint Mocha recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What ingredients are in a Starbucks peppermint mocha? ›

What is in a peppermint mocha at Starbucks? The original Starbucks peppermint latte is made with espresso, steamed milk, their own sweet mocha sauce, and a peppermint syrup. You probably already knew that it's topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings – their “dark chocolate curls,” as they call them.

How many pumps of peppermint syrup are in a peppermint mocha? ›

A grande peppermint mocha at Starbucks has 4 pumps each of peppermint syrup and mocha sauce.

How much peppermint extract to use in coffee? ›

Finally, you can try using peppermint extract for a particularly strong wintery taste. All you need is a drop or two of the extract to give your coffee a fresh and minty flavor, but you can always add more. Remember to start with a small amount and gradually increase it to your liking.

How do you spice up a peppermint mocha? ›

Vanilla Extract: provides a touch of extra sweetness and adds some flavor depth. Toppings: we're topping our Peppermint Mocha off with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

What roast is Starbucks Peppermint Mocha? ›

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Medium Roast Coffee - 17oz.

What is a skinny peppermint mocha? ›

It's a hot, minty, chocolate, coffee treat…Starbucks makes their dreamy, skinny holiday drink with espresso, steamed nonfat milk, sugar-free mocha sauce, and sugar-free peppermint syrup. My home version is simple to make since I used strong brewed coffee, unsweetened cocoa, Splenda or Truvia, and peppermint extract.

Who has the best Peppermint Mocha? ›

Overall, the Starbucks peppermint mocha was much better than Dunkin's. The only downside is that it is more expensive. If you're looking to try a peppermint mocha, I would recommend going to Starbucks. It is worth the cost for a nice holiday drink.

How do you order a Peppermint Mocha when it's not in season? ›

That's because Starbucks stocks up on both mocha sauce and peppermint syrup year-round, even though the chain doesn't keep its Peppermint Mocha on the menu. So, to get your Peppermint Mocha fix, all you have to do is order a regular Starbucks Mocha, and then request a few pumps of peppermint syrup.

Is it safe to put peppermint extract in coffee? ›

You can use it in your coffee, give it to someone for a gift exchange, or you can make your own fancy coffee drinks. This recipe is really simple and only requires a few ingredients: half and half, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract.

Can you use too much peppermint extract? ›

Its side effects are claimed to be usually mild and minimally toxic (gastro esophageal reflux, heartburns, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions and diarrhea). High doses could be hepatotoxic[2] and nephrotoxic (rarely interstitial nephritis and acute renal failure).

How do you add peppermint extract to coffee? ›

1 Place coffee in filter in brew basket of coffee maker. Place sugar in empty pot of coffee maker. Add water to coffee maker; brew as directed. Stir in peppermint extract.

What pairs well with peppermint coffee? ›

The cooling, clean taste of mint flavor can pair well with chocolate, mocha Irish cream, and coffee flavors.

What flavor goes well with peppermint mocha? ›

It's time for the peppermint mocha to shine.
  • ADD A PUMP OF CARAMEL. Caramel and chocolate are one of the sweetest combos out there, so it makes sense to add some caramel-y goodness to any mocha. ...
  • GET FROSTY. ...
  • PUMP IN SOME VANILLA. ...
  • TRY A MATCHA MIX. ...
  • TEST OUT WHITE CHOCOLATE.
Nov 3, 2014

How to make peppermint mocha k cup taste good? ›

Brew a pod using the smallest size setting. Stir in desired amount of sweetener. Pour desired amount of frothed milk into the coffee, reserving a little froth to spoon over the top. Garnish with candy cane and peppermint stick, if desired.

Does Starbucks peppermint mocha have dairy? ›

3 Peppermint Mocha (or hot chocolate)

The mocha sauce is vegan, so all you need to do is nix the whip and swap the cow's milk for soy, oat, almond, or coconut … and pay the non-dairy milk upcharge (womp, womp). Barista tip: The drink is made with both mocha and peppermint syrups, making it very sweet.

How much sugar is in Starbucks peppermint mocha? ›

You might not realize, however, that a grande (16 oz.) peppermint mocha has 54 grams of sugar — that's well over the American Heart Association's (AHA) recommended maximum of 25-36 grams of added sugar per day for adults.

How much caffeine is in a peppermint mocha from Starbucks? ›

How many milligrams of caffeine in Starbucks Peppermint Mocha?
StarbucksPeppermint Mocha
Short (8 fl oz)75mg
Tall (12 fl oz)75mg
Grande (16 fl oz)150mg
Venti (20 fl oz)150mg

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