Homemade peppermint hot chocolate hits the spot on a chilly day. See how easy it is to make this rich, decadent drink at home in just 5 minutes!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Deliciously rich and decadent hot chocolate flavored with peppermint, this drink recipe is made with chocolate syrup, peppermint syrup, and whole milk. It’s a heat and drink recipe.
- Store-bought or homemade syrups can be used but of course, homemade is best since you know exactly what goes into the syrup. Make the syrups ahead of time to flavor and sweeten coffee and tea.
- The whipped cream is what makes this drink extra special. Use my trick of using a handheld milk frother and make fluffy whipped cream in literally seconds. No need to take out any bulky appliances to make whipped cream!
- There’s no coffee in this peppermint hot chocolate but if you do add a bit, you’ve got yourself a peppermint mocha.
Want more hot chocolate recipes? Try making the classic hot chocolate, my super rich and thick Earl Grey Hot Chocolate or Matcha Hot Chocolate for the matcha obsessed.
Ingredient Notes
- Chocolate syrup
Homemade chocolate syrup made from scratch is the best option but if you want to get store-bought, that works too. - Peppermint syrup
Easy homemade mint syrup using only 3 ingredients: sugar, water, and peppermint tea. Super easy to make. Or you can use store-bought peppermint syrup. - Milk
Whole milk will make this drink the creamiest but you can use any kind of milk you like. - Heavy cream
To make the lush whipped cream topping. - Sugar
To sweeten the whipped cream, use white granulated sugar which will mix into the drink the easiest. - Crushed candy cane
An optional garnish to top off your drink.
RELATED: Starbucks Peppermint Mocha
Step-by-Step Instructions
For full ingredients and instructions, scroll down to the recipe.
- Make whipped cream topping.
Sugar and heavy cream are whipped together using a handheld milk frother. Fluffy whipped cream is made in seconds. - Combine milk and chocolate syrup in a saucepan and stir on low heat.
- Remove from heat and stir in peppermint syrup.
- Pour peppermint hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream.
Use a spoon to scoop up the whipped cream into the drink. Add crushed candy cane as an optional garnish.
Photo Credit: amazon.com
Expert Tips
- Homemade chocolate syrup and peppermint syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Once the syrups are made, it’s just a matter of heating up and combining the milk and the syrups.
- An option is to add peppermint syrup to the heavy cream instead of the sugar to make peppermint whipped cream. Take out the sugar and replace with 1 tablespoon of peppermint syrup.
- The whipped cream can be made as stiff or soft as you like by adjusting the time you whisk. If you want a more pourable whipped cream with soft peaks that will stir into the drink easier, whisk until it thickens slightly. Make sure to move the handheld milk frother up and down to get air into the cream.
- Whipped cream can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Stir it a little since it may have deflated a bit.
Questions You May Have
Starbucks makes their peppermint hot chocolate with 2% milk, mocha sauce, peppermint syrup, whipped cream, and dark chocolate curls. Unlike the homemade syrups where you know every ingredient that goes in, theirs include ingredients like sodium benzoate, citric acid, and carageenan.
You can but it can be a bit messy if the milk overflows. If you want to use a microwave, heat 15 seconds at a time, making sure the milk doesn’t boil.
Yup, there’s caffeine in chocolate so there’s caffeine in peppermint hot chocolate. There’s about 20 mg of caffeine in a 12 ounce drink, which isn’t a lot of caffeine, especially if you compare it to a cup of black coffee which has about 240 mg.
Related
- Simple Homemade Syrups for Coffee and Tea
- Peppermint Mocha Latte
- Easy Mocha
- Matcha Hot Chocolate
- Earl Grey Hot Chocolate
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Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate
INGREDIENTS
Peppermint Hot Chocolate
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate syrup
- 2 tablespoons peppermint syrup
Whipped Cream Topping
- 1/3 cup heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon crushed candy cane (optional garnish)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Make whipped cream topping.Sugar and heavy cream are whipped together using a Fluffy whipped cream is made in seconds.
- Combine milk and chocolate syrup in a saucepan and stir on low heat for 4 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in peppermint syrup.
- Pour peppermint hot chocolate into a mug and top with whipped cream.Use a spoon to scoop up the whipped cream into the drink. Add crushed candy cane as an optional garnish.
EQUIPMENT
NOTES
- Homemade or store-bought syrups can be used.
- Whole milk will make the creamiest peppermint hot chocolate but you can use any kind of milk you like.
- Homemade chocolate syrup and peppermint syrup can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator. Once the syrups are made, it’s just a matter of heating up and combining the milk and the syrups.
- An option is to add peppermint syrup to the heavy cream instead of the sugar to make peppermint whipped cream. Take out the sugar and replace with 1 tablespoon of peppermint syrup.
- The whipped cream can be made as stiff or soft as you like by adjusting the time you whisk. If you want a more pourable whipped cream with soft peaks that will stir into the drink easier, whisk until it thickens slightly. Make sure to move the handheld milk frother up and down to get air into the cream.
- Whipped cream can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Stir it a little since it may have deflated a bit.