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Homemade Peppermint Mocha

A homemade Peppermint Mocha that actually tastes like real chocolate and fresh peppermint — not syrup. Strong coffee or espresso melts into a rich cocoa base, finished with steamed milk and crushed candy cane for a cozy holiday hit. Simple ingredients, big December flavor, no espresso machine required.
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Ingredients
  

  • 2 Shots Espresso (or ½ cup strong coffee)
  • 2 Tbsp cocoa powder
  • 2 Tbsp sugar
  • 2 - 3 Drops peppermint extract or 1 crushed candy cane
  • 1 Cup steamed milk
  • Whipped cream
  • Optional: dark chocolate shavings

Instructions
 

  • Build the chocolate base
    Start by mixing cocoa powder, sugar, and a splash of hot water in your mug. Stir until it becomes a smooth, glossy paste. This gives your mocha the rich chocolate backbone most homemade versions miss.
  • Add your espresso or strong coffee
    Pour the hot coffee over your chocolate base and stir it into something unified and decadent.If your brewed coffee isn’t as bold as you’d like, revisit how to make good coffee at home. A few small tweaks go a long way.
  • Add peppermint
    Peppermint extract is powerful — two or three drops are enough for a clean, festive hit without tasting like you chewed a tube of toothpaste. Crushed candy cane works too and adds a mild sweetness and crunch.
  • Steam or heat your milk
    If you don’t have a steamer, heat milk on the stovetop and whisk until frothy. You’ll be surprised how café-like homemade foam can get with a little effort.
  • Combine everything
    Pour the milk into your mug, top with whipped cream, and finish with dark chocolate shavings or crushed candy cane. That last hit of texture makes it feel like something you ordered, not just something you dumped together.
  • Make it iced (optional)
    Use cooled espresso, cold milk, and ice. For your cold coffee base, try any method from 3 easy ways to make iced coffee at home.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!