Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A cup of this Peppermint Hot Chocolate recipe is full of rich, chocolaty, silky smooth minty flavor to warm you up on even the coldest of winter days! Curl up and enjoy a cup of this homemade hot chocolate that pairs perfectly with peppermint while you watch your favorite holiday movie or for a fun indulgent treat while playing games with family or friends.

Try my hot chocolate on a stick, homemade white hot chocolate or snowman hot chocolate toppers next!

this recipe!

Peppermint Hot Chocolate For The Holidays

Many of us have enjoyed a peppermint hot chocolate at Starbucks during Christmas or while holiday shopping. I love making this easy hot chocolate recipe at home for movie nights enjoying it with Christmas snacks or just sipping it to warm up after winter activities outside.

Think of your favorite minty chocolate like York peppermint patties, Ghirardelli mint squares or yummy Junior Mints in a delicious cup of hot chocolate. It’s smooth, warm, rich and oh so good! We like to think of it as Christmas in cup to help get anyone in the holiday Christmas spirit!

Why you’ll love this hot chocolate recipe

• Easy to make holiday hot chocolate to make 2 servings with little prep time
• Easy to scale recipe to serve hot chocolate for a crowd
• Peppermint is the ultimate seasonal Christmas flavor to enjoy in this festive easy peppermint hot chocolate recipe
• Make ahead to enjoy when ready
• Ultimate indulgent chocolate treat for the holiday season

Ingredients

• Candy Canes
• Milk
• Heavy Cream
• Chocolate Chips – semi sweet
• Granulated Sugar
• Peppermint Extract
• Vanilla Extract

Can I melt a candy cane in the hot chocolate if I don’t have peppermint extract?

Yes you can, you will want to add 2 or 3 candy canes in it to melt, as peppermint extract is quite strong.

Step by Step Instructions

STEP ONE – Add the milk and heavy cream to your sauce pan and stir while it’s on medium heat until it is warm.

STEP TWO – Once warm, stir in the sugar and chocolate. Continue stirring until all of the chocolate is melted and well mixed in with the other ingredients.

STEP THREE – When everything is well combined, remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla and peppermint extracts.

STEP FOUR – Pour into mugs, add your desired toppings and enjoy!

Best hot chocolate toppings

• Candy Canes crushed or shaved
• Peppermint Stick
• Marshmallows or mini marshmallows
• Whipped cream
• Cinnamon or Christmas Sprinkles sprinkled on top of whip cream
• Shaved chocolate
• Drizzle of chocolate sauce
• Maraschino Cherry on top of the whip cream

Peppermint Hot Chocolate with Alcohol Variation

A great way to make this a holiday “adult” festive cocktail hot chocolate is to add alcohol to make this a peppermint spiked hot chocolate recipe.

Make a Peppermint Schnapps hot chocolate by adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of peppermint Schnapps.

Adding 2 1/2 tablespoons of vodka in this recipe to make a peppermint vodka hot chocolate recipe for adults to enjoy during the holiday season.

Sandra’s tips for making the best peppermint hot chocolate

• This hot chocolate tastes best the first day made, or when reheated on the stove.
• Be sure all of the chocolate is melted and stirred in well before removing from the heat, or you’ll get clumps of chocolate in your peppermint hot chocolate that should be smooth.

How will I know when this homemade peppermint hot chocolate is done and ready to drink?

You’ll know when this is done when there are no more chunks of chocolate at the bottom and it’s silky smooth.

Can I use cocoa powder in place of the chocolate chips?

Unfortunately no! Part of what makes this peppermint hot chocolate so rich and chocolatey is that it uses real chocolate, not cocoa powder. If you use cocoa powder then it wouldn’t be as rich, and would be more of a hot cocoa, not hot chocolate.

Can I use a crockpot to make mint hot chocolate?

Yes you can! Gather ingredients in the crockpot starting with the milk and heavy cream and slow cook for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, stirring 30 minutes in and at the end. You can also use the crockpot to keep your hot chocolate warm for up to 2 hours before you should store it in the fridge for safety.

Storage and Reheating

Store in a glass jar with a tight lid or using an airtight container in the fridge for 3 to 5 days.

To make ahead do not put any toppings on the hot chocolate before storing it (the exception would be a candy cane, it’s alright if one of those melts into the hot chocolate).

Putting hot chocolate in the fridge will thicken it, so use pan with the hot chocolate over the stove on low to medium-low heat, stirring often to warm up or reheat your hot chocolate.