• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Meatloaf and Melodrama logo
  • Home
  • About
  • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Bloglovin
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • RSS
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Home
  • About
    • Collaborate
  • Recipes
  • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Home
    • About
      • Collaborate
    • Recipes
    • Subscribe
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Recipes » Recipes

    Peppermint Hot Cocoa

    This post may contain affiliate links. Please see disclosure for more information. Published: Dec 14, 2018 · Modified: Mar 25, 2021 by Dee

    Homemade peppermint hot cocoa recipe made with cocoa powder is rich, creamy and a delicious warm drink for all ages. Tastes just like a peppermint mocha!

    Jump to Recipe -

    peppermint hot cocoa with whipped cream in a white mug

    I love coffee, but when it's cold at night, there's nothing like a steaming mug of homemade hot cocoa to warm you up. Honestly, if I drank coffee at night, I'd be up for hours. Since it's officially the holiday season, I decided to tweak our favorite hot chocolate recipe and make it a little more festive.

    So I made some homemade Peppermint Hot Cocoa for the family, and it was just perfect for this time of year. This smooth, minty and very chocolaty drink is will have you feeling warm and cozy in no time!

    We had a cold front move in over Thanksgiving, so we actually had to wear jackets when we ventured out for Black Friday Shopping. One of my teens didn't think she would need a coat, and she ended up buying one just because she was so cold! She scored an awesome deal, though.

    Anyway, since everyone was so cold, it was the perfect weather for hot cocoa, and I jumped at the chance to make some.

    I used to use those instant packets, but a few years ago I started making my own homemade hot chocolate, which is basically a doctored-up version of the recipe found on the back of cocoa containers, and we've never gone back to the store bought variety. There really is a huge difference in taste, and the homemade kind is super easy.

    This peppermint version is very rich. It's made with with cocoa powder on the stove, and it's flavored with peppermint extract, but it's perfect for the holidays!

    How to make peppermint hot cocoa with cocoa powder

    It's super easy to make hot cocoa with cocoa powder and a few other ingredients. Just mix the cocoa powder with sugar, salt and a little bit of cinnamon. Bonus points if you make everything match!

    sugar and cocoa powder for homemade hot cocoa in red pot

    Then, add water and heat until boiling -- stirring constantly. The mixture will be thick, but you'll be adding milk and cream to thin it out.

    mix peppermint hot cocoa in pot

    Stir in the milk and cream, and let the hot cocoa warm up gradually. You don't want to let it boil. Then, add the peppermint extract, and you're ready to serve!

    peppermint hot cocoa with milk and cream in pot

    The heavy cream makes this peppermint hot chocolate extra rich, but you could use all milk if you want to. You could also reduce the peppermint, but since I love the combination of chocolate and peppermint, this was perfect.

    My teen thought it tasted just like a peppermint mocha, which is one of my absolute favorite drinks. I guess that explains why I liked this hot chocolate so much!

    So, if you're cold and worn out from braving the holiday shopping crowds, make some peppermint hot cocoa when you come home, and you'll probably feel better almost instantly. It worked for us!

    homemade peppermint hot cocoa with whipped cream in white mug

    More easy peppermint recipes

    • Peppermint Mocha Dessert Dip
    • Peppermint Bark
    • Peppermint Brownies
    • Peppermint Fudge

    Homemade Peppermint hot cocoa recipe

    peppermint hot cocoa with whipped cream in a white mug

    Peppermint Hot Cocoa

    Published by Dee
    Homemade peppermint hot cocoa recipe made with cocoa powder is rich, creamy and perfect for the holidays. Tastes just like a peppermint mocha!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Share by Email
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Cook Time 10 mins
    Total Time 15 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4
    Calories 328 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • ½ cup unsweetened cocoa
    • ½ cup granulated sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
    • ⅛ teaspoon sea salt
    • ½ cup water
    • 3 ½ cups milk
    • ½ cup heavy cream or half and half
    • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract

    Instructions
     

    • In a medium saucepan, heat the cocoa, sugar, cinnamon, salt and water until boiling, stirring constantly.
    • Reduce heat to medium, and stir in the milk and cream.
    • Heat mixture until warm, but not boiling, and then turn off heat and stir in the peppermint extract.
    • Pour into large mugs, and top with whipped cream and peppermint candies, if desired.

    Nutrition information is estimated. Please do your own calculation to fit special diets.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 328kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 9gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gCholesterol: 57mgSodium: 185mgPotassium: 475mgFiber: 3gSugar: 35gVitamin A: 650IUVitamin C: 0.4mgCalcium: 281mgIron: 1.5mg
    Tried this recipe? Please comment and rate it! Show me your dish on Instagram!Mention @meatloafandmelodrama or tag #meatloafandmelodrama!

    Peppermint Hot Cocoa recipe with cocoa powder and milk

    I hope you enjoy this homemade peppermint hot cocoa as much as we do!

     

    Pin
    Share
    Tweet
    Pin
    Share
    Tweet

    More Recipes on the blog

    • Everything Bagel Dip Recipe
    • Valentines Rice Krispie Treats
    • Valentine's Day Snack Mix
    • Steak Quesadilla Recipe

    You May Also Like

    homemade potato cheese pierogi on plate with sour cream
    Homemade Cheddar Potato Pierogi
    mandarin orange jello salad with cool whip and orange slice in white dish
    Orange Jello Fruit Salad
    mint chocolate chip brownies with mint frosting and chocolate ganache stacked
    Mint Chocolate Chip Brownies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Review Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. jessica | The Novice Chef says

      December 25, 2018 at 5:53 pm

      I love the kick of peppermint! the perfect combo!

      Reply
    2. Miz Helen says

      December 22, 2018 at 3:35 pm

      Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and thanks so much for sharing your awesome post with us at Full Plate Thursday!
      Miz Helen5 stars

      Reply
    3. Krista says

      December 17, 2018 at 9:42 am

      I want a big cup of this today! Looks amazing!5 stars

      Reply
    4. Melanie Bauer says

      December 16, 2018 at 3:34 am

      Looks absolutely awesome! Those flavors are amazing, looking forward to make this!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 16, 2018 at 11:01 am

        Thanks so much, Melanie. I hope you enjoy it! 🙂

    5. Erin | Dinners,Dishes and Dessert says

      December 15, 2018 at 9:59 pm

      This couldn't look any more perfect!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says

      December 15, 2018 at 12:14 pm

      I want this cocoa in my life!5 stars

      Reply
    7. Dorothy at Shockinglydelish says

      December 14, 2018 at 6:59 pm

      This may be the perfect holiday treat! Who doesn't love peppermint!?

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 16, 2018 at 11:00 am

        Ha ha. Nobody I know! 😉 Thanks, Dorothy!

    8. Sabrina says

      December 14, 2018 at 1:44 pm

      Love the peppermint in this! Such a great treat at the end of the day!5 stars

      Reply
      • Dee says

        December 16, 2018 at 10:59 am

        Thanks! It's an awesome way to wind down and stay warm! 🙂

    9. Trish Martin says

      December 29, 2015 at 7:07 pm

      This sounds and looks delicious, Dee. I am pinning this.

      Reply
    10. Miz Helen says

      December 07, 2015 at 6:47 pm

      I am going to love this cup of Hot Cocoa!  Hope  you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
      Come Back Soon!
      Miz Helen

      Reply
    11. Dee M says

      December 04, 2015 at 2:44 am

      Thanks! We love this stuff! 🙂

      Reply
    12. Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says

      December 04, 2015 at 2:42 am

      Mmmm, so perfect this time of year!

      Reply
    13. Dee M says

      November 28, 2015 at 6:53 pm

      Thanks, Carol. It really is good, especially if you like peppermint! 🙂

      Reply
    14. Carol says

      November 28, 2015 at 5:33 pm

      YUMMY! This sounds so good, Dee!

      Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    I’m the blogger, chief cook, recipe developer and photographer behind Meatloaf and Melodrama. I absolutely love to create easy, budget-friendly, homemade meals and treats for my family. I also love to think of new ways to repurpose leftovers so that my family will actually eat them!

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • Baked Breaded Pork Chops
    • Best Dutch Oven Beef Stew Recipe
    • Air Fryer Breakfast Sausage
    • Instant Pot Jasmine Rice
    • Grandma's Kielbasa and Sauerkraut Recipe
    • Maple Brown Sugar Overnight Oats
    • How to Cook Ramen Noodles in the Microwave
    • Easy Chicken Stuffing Bake

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • All About Dee
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions

    Newsletter

    • Sign up for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact

    As Seen On

    as seen on buzzfeed delish country living forbes southern living

    Copyright © 2023 Meatloaf and Melodrama