I know, I’m a little bit late to the party, but I just discovered the wonder that is the Peppermint Mocha Latte.
I was at Target a few weeks before Christmas, and I stopped into the Starbucks at the front of the store, prepared to order my usual favorite treat — a mocha latte. While I was waiting to place my order, I noticed the sign advertising the seasonal featured drink: peppermint mocha latte.
I tried the pumpkin variety earlier in the season and wasn’t impressed, but I like to live dangerously so I ordered the peppermint mocha on a whim.
Man, oh MAN, was that ever good!!!
For some reason, they don’t have the peppermint mocha when it’s not Christmastime, or at least it’s not on the menu. Maybe if I asked sweetly they would whip one up for me, I don’t know. But I decided to try to make a copycat recipe at home.
I consulted my favorite search engine: Pinterest. Yes, Pinterest is a bona fide search engine now. Watch out, Google!
I don’t have peppermint syrup on hand, nor did I feel like making it, but I DID notice a small bottle of mint extract in my baking cabinet. Score!
After a few experiments (it’s a tough job, y’all) I came up with this recipe.
I’ve been enjoying one almost every day. It’s my little treat to myself before the kids get home from school.
If you don’t care for the peppermint flavor, you can omit that and then you have a classic mocha latte. I happen to have an instant espresso maker so I go ahead and make espresso to put in my latte, but you can just make up some extra strong coffee if you prefer. I also don’t have a milk frother, but if you do, that will make it more legit. I just use a wire whisk to make the milk frothy while it’s heating up on the stove.
- 1 tbsp cocoa
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 3/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup espresso or super strong coffee
- 1/4 tsp pure mint extract
- In a saucepan, whisk cocoa, sugar, milk and mint extract together over medium heat. Whisk briskly until hot, working up a froth.
- Meanwhile, prepare espresso in a mug. Pour hot milk/cocoa mixture into espresso. Top with whip cream if desired.
ENJOY!
I am not a peppermint gal. But I know a lot of people that are! As for me, Starbuck’s Crack In A Cup(also known as Salted Caramel Mocha) is one of my favs.
Sharing this recipe because I know lots of people will enjoy it!
Ooooh that sounds good.
i LOVE peppermint mocha. If you watch, Starbucks will place their syrup 1/2 off soon. I always stock up then. And I usually get the sugar free version and it’s great!
Good to know!
You need to get yourself some peppermint mocha sweefleaf stevia drops!
Have you ever looked at the homemade whip cream makers?! (of course I make mine sugarfree with vanilla flavored stevia). http://www.isi.com/us/culinary/home-edition/products/easy-whip-mini/ SO amazingly good. My kids and fight over it. 😉
NO, I haven’t. Checking it out now.
They will make the peppermint mocha year round now — the only difference is, they only have the little crushed candy cane pieces at Christmas. But personally, I only drink it during the holidays. It just doesn’t seem right any other time.
I’m also a huge fan of the Salted Caramel Mocha, but my Bux told me the other day that it too was a seasonal drink, and they don’t have the little pieces of salt for the top now. 🙁 They will still make it, but the salt really makes that drink IMO.
Would love to hear more about your instant espresso maker!
I’ve never tried the Salted Caramel one! Is that in the fall?
No, it was one of the Christmas drinks. And now it’s gone…. ::sniff::
You weren’t impressed with the pumpkin latte?!!! The horror! J/K
Haha. No. Ick. TOOOO SWEET. But there is a natural foods market near me that has a caffe, and they make a “natural” one that is DELICIOUS!!! Ironically, I don’t like THEIR peppermint mocha but I loved the one I got at Starbucks. Go figure.