A Gray Ember Mug² is filled with whipped cream and topped with crushed candy cane and cinnamon. The mug sits on a dark green background filled with red and green holiday ornaments alongside a leafy branch with red berries.

Holiday Recipes

Peppermint Mocha

December 07, 2021

As you can tell, we are big fans of creamy, decadent coffee shop-inspired concoctions (peep our white chocolate mocha recipe). To bring the spirit of Christmas (and our taste buds) alive, we have something that fuses our celebratory mood while still satisfying our sweet tooth and coffee craving: the peppermint mocha.
Whipping up a delicious peppermint mocha at home is a great skill to have during the holiday season, as you can delight your friends and family with a wonderful treat that is just as good in the morning as it is in the evening. And, we know, it's hard to resist the sugar that comes with holiday drinks. But don't worry, we have a healthier sugar-free version for you, as well.

Drinking Temperature

Served at 133°F (56°C)

Ingredients

For the Peppermint Mocha, with Sugar:

¾ cup whole milk
¾ cup strong coffee or espresso
3 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ tsp peppermint extract or peppermint syrup
¼ tsp vanilla extract
Whipped cream (optional for topping)
Chocolate shavings (optional for topping

For the Sugar-Free Peppermint Mocha:

⅔ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or other milk option of your choice)
⅔ cup strong coffee or espresso
1 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
2 packets of stevia (or another alternative sweetener)
⅛ tsp peppermint extract

Directions

For the Peppermint Mocha, with Sugar:

Add milk, cocoa, and sugar into a saucepan and heat until bubbles form (but not boiling).
Stir in peppermint and vanilla extract (or syrup). Remove from heat.
Pour into Ember Mug².
Top with whipped cream and chocolate shavings (if desired).

For the Peppermint Mocha, with Sugar:

Combine the coffee or espresso and half of the chosen milk option into a saucepan and heat until hot (but not boiling).
Stir in the stevia, cocoa powder, and peppermint extract until well combined.
Pour the rest of the milk into a jar and shake vigorously to froth (you can also use a frother if you have one!). Microwave for 60 seconds or until warm.
Pour the mocha mixture into a mug. Then, pour the warm milk into the mug, using a spoon to hold the foam back.
Use the spoon to top with the milk foam.

A gif of a hand placing a peppermint stick into the whipped cream that fills a Gray Ember Mug². The mug sits on a dark green background and there is a gold spoon laying ontop of a lighter green napkin in the foreground.

Peppermint Sticks

Pair this with peppermint sticks or crushed peppermint candies by double-bagging them in Ziplock bags and crushing them with the flat side of a kitchen mallet.

No matter which version you choose, savor this pleasant peppermint mocha recipe at 133°F in your Ember Mug².