Peppermint Hot Chocolate

A cup of this Peppermint Hot Chocolate is so 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.

this recipe!

What does peppermint hot chocolate taste like?

It tastes like drinking a chocolate bar with mint on the inside! Full of Christmas flavors, it’s smooth, warm, rich and oh so good! Hot chocolate is always an instant soothing comfort in a cup to me!

Think of your favorite minty chocolate like York peppermint patties, Ghirardelli mint squares or yummy Junior Mints in a delicious cup of hot chocolate. We like to think of it as Christmas in cup to help get anyone in the holiday Christmas spirit!

Many of us have enjoyed a peppermint hot chocolate at Starbucks during Christmas or while holiday shopping. We also used to buy store bought cocoa powder to make peppermint hot cocoa at home.

We then first tried homemade mint hot chocolate during the holidays as guests for an after dinner beverage with dessert. I had never tasted hot chocolate that was so creamy, chocolatey rich and delicious in my life. My husband of course chimed in with, ‘can we make this at home’?

So,I tried many versions, even a peppermint hot chocolate bomb and an expensive hot chocolate peppermint mix. Nothing tasted as good, so I asked for the recipe and I think that once you try this special easy hot chocolate, you may never have it any other way again.

Also try my white chocolate hot chocolate recipe that can be easily made into a peppermint white hot chocolate! Great with our delicious peppermint hot chocolate cookie or chocolate peppermint blossom cookies and Christmas Chex white chocolate mix.

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

Substitutions for hot chocolate with peppermint

It is important to have the right balance when you make peppermint hot chocolate. Not enough peppermint feels like there is no peppermint Christmas flavor. Using too much peppermint can quickly over power any beverage recipe, and we do not want that.

So you have to be careful substituting ingredients and the ratios in this festive, cozy hot cocoa recipe.

You can substitute peppermint oil for peppermint extract but it is more concentrated so you have to add less, just one or two drops will do.

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.

Ingredients for peppermint hot chocolate recipe

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

Step by step instructions for how to make a peppermint hot chocolate

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!

Variations for hot chocolate peppermint

Best hot chocolate toppings

Which topping is the best for hot chocolate?

I like whipped cream on top and it is great if you like less sugar as you feel hot chocolate is already sweet enough for you. Seeing marshmallows floating on top with Christmas sprinkles or crushed candy canes is hard to beat for kids to enjoy.

Best toppings:

• Candy Canes
• Peppermint Stick
• Marshmallows or mini marshmallows
• Whipped cream
• Crushed Candy Canes
• Crushed Peppermint Candy
• Pieces of Andes Mint
• Mini Chocolate Chips on top of whip cream
• Christmas Sprinkles
• Cinnamon sprinkled on top of whip cream
• Shaved chocolate
• Drizzle of chocolate sauce
• Maraschino Cherry on top of the whip cream

Peppermint hot chocolate alcohol

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.

These are perfect seasonal holiday cocktails to serve at your Christmas party! Great paired with my sweet holiday spiced mixed nuts recipe.

Top 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.

Why make hot chocolate in the crockpot? It very easy and convenient for many people and it is the best way to make hot chocolate for a crowd during a party! You can scale this recipe up to serve a crowd.

Can I store homemade hot chocolate leftovers?

Yes you can! Just be sure to 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).

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

Great make ahead option for the busy holiday season!

Can I warm up cold hot chocolate?

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

Pour into mugs and top with your toppings like whip cream with crushed candy canes before serving.

You may enjoy these recipes with your hot chocolate

Andes Mint Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Easy No Bake Peanut Butter Balls

Grinch Heart Cookies

Russian Tea Cakes

Hot Chocolate Melting Snowman Cookies

Grandma’s Shortbread Cookies

M&M Pudding Cookies

Sugar Cookies with Funfetti