Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Copycat Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe

Today we are making a remake of the delicious Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe! Before we start, take a seat so I can explain what this glorious, popular Starbucks peppermint mocha is. As their website explains it, this drink combines two shots of Espresso Roast coffee (using their signature coffee beans) with steamed milk, sweet mocha sauce, peppermint syrup and milk foam. On top goes whipped cream and dark chocolate curls! I have to explain this so you know how important this drink actually is. As in, it was introduced in 2002 as part of their Starbucks holiday drinks, and soon became the most popular holiday collection item. Now it’s available year round due to demand! Minus the chocolate curls, which only make their appearance near the Christmas season.

Keep it Cozy Year Round

So why am I dreaming of a peppermint mocha? No, it’s nowhere near that time of year. Is her calendar backwards? You say to yourself. I will boldly step forward and tell you that my internal clock knows it is June, 2021, in a world where COVID is raging and we’ve been at home baking our 1938th batch of cookies. Oh, and the occasional holiday festive drink when it is so uncalled for in this heat wave. Yup, I know it’s February and way past Christmas.

But I also know that like me, many of you are craving the feeling and festivities that come with the holiday season. This even more so now that it’s been over a year and a half that we’ve been in on and off lockdowns (at least where I live). We crave a sense of familiarity with our favorite season to look forward to at year’s end, when every day has left us feeling with a sense of “when will we return to our normal lives?”

At least we’ve got one thing cleared up – Christmas at my house means hot chocolate, movie nights and more seasonal drinks (cue vegan eggnog, pumpkin spice latte, cinnamon coffee and today’s recipe … PEPPERMINT MOCHA).

Why You’ll Love This Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Drink

Cozy Winter Drink: When it comes to hot beverages, making winter drinks are some of my favorite ways to cozy up during cold weather. Check out the list above the recipe card below for more cozy drinks!

One Pot: This recipe is made in one pot on the stovetop, with just a handful of ingredients to whisk. Then using a milk frother, create foam on top of the drink and top with a ton of whipped cream. Super simple!

Fresh Mint: Rather than make a simple syrup for this drink, we use fresh peppermint leaves. Fresh leaves are a great option for the mint flavor and takes out any artificial ingredients or sweeteners (such as peppermint extract or in a peppermint-flavored syrup).

Substitutions

Oat Milk: Different options for milk include Silk almond milk, soy milk or another creamy plant-based milk. To get a super creamy drink, use some full-fat canned coconut milk! It will have a coconut-ty flavor, but makes the drink oh-so-creamy. Choose your preferred type of milk, because every non-dairy milk has a different aftertaste when heated.

Sweetener: The best sweetener would be agave syrup, but you can also use 100% pure maple syrup. Use light maple syrup so it doesn’t have a strong molasses flavor though! In terms of dry sweeteners, xylitol or monkfruit sweetener may work too. I used Stevia drops, so you can add sweetener as per your taste.

Mint Leaves: These need to be fresh, not dried. You could alternatively use peppermint extract, but you would only use a tiny pinch at a time until you reach the desired taste, as it is really strong.

Coffee: You could make some coffee using instant coffee powder if you don’t have fresh coffee or espresso from an espresso maker. Decaf coffee is also an option. Make your favorite coffee as strong as you prefer. Dark roast coffee works best here.

Cacao Powder: Cacao powder is the unprocessed version of cocoa powder. You can also use regular unsweetened cocoa powder.

Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe Notes

• There are many different ways to make this drink as per your taste. Some great toppings can be dark chocolate shavings, chocolate syrup or crushed candy cane for a delicious topping!
• To make a richer drink, add 1-2 tbsp dark or semisweet vegan chocolate chips into the bottom of the cup first. Then whisk it while adding in the hot beverage to melt them into the drink.

More Coffee Drinks & Starbucks Copycat Recipes You’ll Love

Eggnog Latte

Golden Milk

Hot Spiced Apple Cider

Frozen Hot Chocolate

Green Tea Frappuccino

Iced White Chocolate Mocha

Mocha Frappuccino

Cardamom Rose Latte

If you make this Starbucks Peppermint Mocha Recipe, then leave a comment and star rating! Don’t forget to tag your photos @peanut_palate on Instagram. Enjoy!