With the holidays just around the corner, the one treat I love to indulge in while doing anything holiday related is a warm Peppermint Mocha Latte. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, a Peppermint Mocha takes the place of my usual Chai Tea Latte, and sets the mood for decorating the house, putting up the tree, and shopping!
I like to call this my “better than Starbucks” Peppermint Mocha because A) it really tastes that good, and B) this is a completely natural, whole food drink! None of the junk (food colorings, bad fats, pesticides/herbicides, corn syrup, etc). (Might I add, there are 54 grams of sugar in a 16oz Peppermint Mocha Latte from Starbucks!) My recipe uses only good ingredients. You can make this minty latte sugar-free and dairy-free if you wish. And now you can make your own Peppermint Mocha recipe any time of the year! You’re no longer limited to the two months out of the year it is featured at Starbucks!
This Peppermint Mocha Latte recipe starts out just like my Pumpkin Spice Latte and Hazelnut Latte, with dark coffee. If you have an espresso maker, you can prepare 2-4 shots per person. Otherwise you can use about 1 cup of strong brewed coffee per person (4 Tablespoons fresh ground coffee and 1 cup water).
No need to make a special peppermint syrup for this drink. I have three different ways to get the peppermint flavor without having to boil down sugary syrup. 1.) Food grade peppermint oil (this is my brand of choice), 2.) These all natural (food dye-free) peppermint sticks. 3.) My favorite brand of stevia comes in peppermint flavor. Two birds with one stone! Details are below on how to use each.
This recipe is every bit as tasty as Starbucks, but costs a lot less and delivers nourishment to your body. I hope you will enjoy! Merry Christmas! Now, bookmark this recipe for summer, because you can blend this with ice and have a delicious Minty Frappe!
- 2 cups hot coffee OR 5-8 shots of espresso
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2 cup coconut milk
- 2 Tbsp raw cacao OR cocoa powder
- - OPTION #1: PEPPERMINT OIL (sugar-free)
- 2-3 drops pure food grade peppermint oil (I use Young Living brand)
- 1 tsp pure liquid stevia (I use Stevita brand)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- - OPTION #2: PEPPERMINT STICKS
- 4 Tbsp crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (all natural, food dye-free!)
- 1 tsp pure liquid stevia (I use Stevita brand)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- - OPTION #3: PEPPERMINT STEVIA (sugar-free)
- 1 tsp pure liquid peppermint stevia (I use Stevita brand)
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1.) In a medium saucepan over Low heat, warm together the almond milk, coconut milk and cocoa powder. The heat will help the cocoa powder dissolve fully. Once warmed, stir in the hot coffee.
- 2.) Stir in the remaining ingredients from you "OPTION" of choice. Taste for sweetness. You may wish to add more stevia or peppermint ingredient, to taste. Pour into two mugs and enjoy!
- Top your lattes with a festive touch using cocoa powder, whipped coconut milk, crushed all natural candy cane, shaved chocolate, or fresh mint leaves.
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