Make the Best Peppermint Hot Chocolate in 3 Easy Steps
Smooth, velvety, and richly flavored with milk chocolate and notes of peppermint, this peppermint hot chocolate recipe combines wholesome ingredients to make the perfect drink for the holiday season!
It’s August 21st and it was 49 degrees here this morning. We actually set a record low!
I don’t mean to jump ahead, but Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!
Never mind that it will be 85 degrees by the end of the week. I’m officially ready for all the cozy drinks that come with my favorite time of year (ahem…September-December).
Although I have a delicious recipe for a homemade pumpkin spice latte here on the blog, I must confess that my heart lies with hot chocolate. And maybe even more so, a well-made peppermint mocha is pretty high up on my list.
I knew I had to take the best of both worlds and combine the two, therefore creating the ultimate peppermint hot chocolate recipe. Divine!
While I go set up my Christmas tree, you do yourself a favor and make this hot chocolate right now. Your taste buds will thank you, I promise.
Why You’ll Love It
- Thick and creamy: By combining heavy cream, whole milk, and just a touch of cornstarch, this hot chocolate is thick, creamy, and luscious, just as hot chocolate should be.
- Delicious: This recipe strikes the perfect balance with flavors, combining rich and velvety chocolate with subtle notes of peppermint to make the ultimate cozy drink.
- Wholesome ingredients: This recipe is made with simple, real food ingredients, and no refined sugar!
Ingredients in Peppermint Hot Chocolate
To make the ultimate creamy homemade hot chocolate, you will need:
- Whole milk
- Heavy cream
- Milk chocolate
- Unsweetened cocoa powder
- Maple syrup
- Vanilla extract
- Pure peppermint extract
- Cornstarch
How to Make It
- In a small saucepan, add 1 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Heat the cream and milk mixture over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Be careful to never allow the milk to boil! You want to heat it just enough so it’s under scalding.
- After the milk and cream mixture is nice and hot, add in 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1/2 tsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Using a whisk, stir continually to begin to combine the mixture together. At first the mixture will be grainy, but as the chocolate begins to incorporate into the hot milk the color will deepen and everything will come together. For best results, heat for around 5 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Pour the delicious hot chocolate between two mugs and garnish however you like. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Tips for Success
- You could also use an immersion blender to blend the ingredients together if preferred. It is what I do in this homemade chocolate milk recipe. It works great!
- Garnish this hot chocolate with whatever you like! I always recommend whipped cream (like in this homemade pumpkin spice latte), and shaved chocolate. Mini marshmallows and/or small peppermint candies would also be welcome additions!
- If you are looking for a dairy-free option, I would suggest using full-fat coconut milk in place of the milk and cream. You could also use oat milk or almond milk, but the hot chocolate will not be as creamy. Be sure to also use dairy-free chocolate chips.
- Serve this festive drink alongside some of your favorite Christmas cookies or as a part of a hot cocoa bar… how fun would that be!?
- Use whatever combination of chocolate you prefer. You could do a mixture of milk and dark chocolate, put a fun spin on this recipe by using white chocolate…whatever your heart desires.
- Don’t skip the cornstarch! It may seem like an odd or unnecessary addition, but it really helps make the hot chocolate luscious and creamy.
Recommended Tools
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, meaning I make a small commission off of them with no extra cost to you. Read my full disclosure policy here.
Craving More Drink Recipes?
- Homemade Chocolate Milk (no refined sugar!)
- Pumpkin Spice Latte w/ Maple Sweet Cream
- Sparkling Strawberry Basil Lemonade
Pin it For Later!
You can find the printable recipe card for this easy peppermint hot chocolate recipe down below.
Best Peppermint Hot Chocolate
Smooth, velvety, and richly flavored with milk chocolate and notes of peppermint, this peppermint hot chocolate recipe combines wholesome ingredients to make the perfect drink for the holiday season!
Ingredients
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 2 tbsp pure maple syrup
- 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp pure peppermint extract
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add 1 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream. Heat the cream and milk mixture over medium-low heat for 3-4 minutes. Be careful to never allow the milk to boil! You want to heat it just enough so it’s under scalding.
- After the milk and cream mixture is nice and hot, add in 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips, 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder, 2 tbsp maple syrup, 1/2 tsp cornstarch, 1/2 tsp vanilla extract and 1/8 tsp peppermint extract. Using a whisk, stir continually to begin to combine the mixture together. At first the mixture will be grainy, but as the chocolate begins to incorporate into the hot milk the color will deepen and everything will come together. For best results, heat for around 5 minutes until thick and creamy.
- Pour the delicious hot chocolate between two mugs and garnish however you like. Serve immediately and enjoy!
Notes
If you loved this easy recipe for homemade peppermint hot chocolate, be sure to come back and leave a star rating and a review. I would love to know how it turned out for you.
Cheers!
