Recipe

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This festive Christmas Peppermint Hot Chocolate hits the spot any night of the year. It's perfect to share with santa too!

There is no better way to warm up the family than with homemade hot cocoa, and today’s recipe is an easy and delicious peppermint hot chocolate you can make at home!

hot chocolate in a white mug with red snow flakes with candy canes next to the mug

Hot Chocolate with Peppermint Extract

This recipe is a pepperminty twist on my classic homemade hot cocoa recipe that's so good you won't have to go to the coffee shop to get your fix!

It’s not the kind made with pre-mixed powder, but real cocoa powder, milk, sugar, and, in this case, a touch of peppermint extract! This drink, along with my peppermint white hot chocolate, is a winter favorite that my family requests every year. So good!

Ingredients

This recipe calls for unsweetened cocoa powder (regular, not Dutch-processed), granulated white sugar, hot water to melt the sugar and cocoa powder, and milk (dairy or non-dairy). To infuse your mug with flavor, you’ll also add a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and just a drop or two of peppermint extract to provide plenty of peppermint flavor!

Making Homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa

Combine cocoa, sugar, water, and salt, and stir constantly until the mixture boils. Then, pour in the milk and heat, but do not boil (it will burn). Remove from the heat, then add the vanilla and peppermint extracts, and mix well. If you add the extracts too early, they will evaporate, and the taste will not be as strong. Serve with whipped cream, marshmallows, or your favorite hot cocoa toppings.

a large mug of peppermint hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and

I usually make this peppermint hot chocolate recipe on the stovetop when it's just family, but if I’m serving hot cocoa to a crowd, I transfer the mixture to a large slow cooker and set it on low. Read this post for more tips on how to keep hot chocolate warm for individuals or a crowd!

More Hot Cocoa Recipes

Do you love adding fall flavor to your mugs? Then you should also try my ginger hot cocoa, pumpkin spice hot chocolate, and this delicious cinnamon hot chocolate.

Easy Peppermint Hot Chocolate Recipe

Servings: 4

Cook Time: 5

Total Time: 5

This festive Christmas Peppermint Hot Chocolate hits the spot any night of the year. It's perfect to share with santa too!

5 from 12 votes

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Ingredients

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup hot water
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups milk, Dairy or non-dairy
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon peppermint extract, (or more/less to taste)
optional toppings: whipped cream, crushed peppermints, marshmallows

Instructions

Combine the cocoa, sugar, water, and salt in a medium saucepan. Over medium heat, stir constantly until the mixture boils.
Cook, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Stir in the milk and heat, but do not boil. Remove from the heat, add vanilla and peppermint extract and stir well. Serve immediately.